Help with bit rates

[saspgmr]

I'm trying to archive all my home videos (shot on HI8 ). I've captured a test as avi. and am trying to convert using TMPEG. I'm testing using a 15 second clip of my family getting splashed at Shamu Stadium. Most of the video looks good using the standard templates (vcd, svcd, dvd) but the only template that is completely free of what I assume is macroblocks is the DVD template. I understand that this is because of the increased bit rate used in the dvd template but the final file is way too big. I've been trying using the svcd template and changing to 2pass vbr but the combinations (min, max, avg) I've used so far either result in files almost as big as dvd or still leave some blocks where the splash occurs. (I assume the blocks result from the "high speed" motion of the water passing over all the other parts of the picture.)

There must be some combination of min/max/avg bit rates (or maybe switching to cq-vbr) that will give a reasonable file size and still give no blocks in the very high speed parts of the video. I could experiment for the next year but by then I could buy a DVD burner. Any suggestions??

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: saspgmr on 2001-08-08 11:06:37 ]</font>

[Tommy]

When you say you see macro blocks where are they? I mean are you watching this on your computer full screen? If thats the case try it in the dvd player. Sometimes it makes a difference, or it does for me anyway. BTW how are you bringing in the video? If your not already using a Svhs cable you should be. Whats do you want to play the end product on? (i.e. computer, standalone dvd player....)

[Tommy]

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: tommy on 2001-08-08 11:31:05 ]</font>

[saspgmr]

The blocks are mostly where the water spray is passing the people in the picture. The blocks only last a few frames (5 to 6 at a time). I am watching it full frame on my pc (21 in monitor) so maybe I'm being a little too picky, but I'm looking for perfection (who isn't).

I'm bringing the video in using a Sony HI8 camcorder and an Avermedia TV98 card. The avi looks great (deinterlaced using vdub filter). I'm using svideo cable to connect the camcorder to the cap card, 1gig Athlon, Windows ME.

I'm new to this (working with video for about 2 weeks, reading this site for about 2 months).

Thanks for the help.