Best source resolution for SVCD?

[markums2k]

I'm producing fairly good-looking SVCDs, but I still get artifacts when there's heavy movement on the screen. I know a LOT can contribute to this, however... my question is very direct and specific... hopefully

Q: With standard/compliant SVCD being the goal (video res of 480x480), what is the best resolution to start with, with regards to the source?

Right now I'm bringing in video that is 704x480 (captured in Premiere). I can't help but think that there is a resolution better suited to be eventually "resized" to 480x480. The theory being, I would see less artifacts if I get this right.

So far, I've tried 720x480 clips and 704x480 clips. My eyes may deceive me, but the SVCDs produced from the 720x480 clips looked better.

By the way, I'm using TMPEGenc, and I am using "Full Screen, Keep Aspect". Would my video look better if I used a different setting here?

[Mirror_Image]

So far, I've tried 720x480 clips and 704x480 clips. My eyes may deceive me, but the SVCDs produced from the 720x480 clips looked better.

That answers your question right there. Always trust the eyes and brain you have in your skull before you trust similar equipment in someone else's skull.

[markums2k]

Let me rephrase then. Even though 720x480 looks better than 704x480 as stated, is there a BETTER resolution than 720x480? Because I still get artifacts. I was thinking somebody might be like: "Oh, use 576x352, it looks PERFECT, blah blah blah".

[BJ_M]

as high as you want to go -- i encode with 4k as input most of the time (4000 x 4000) and sure i might downsize to change aspect and crop and color correct, but before encoding i never take it below 1920 x 1080 as source .. always use multiples of 8 though ..

[markums2k]

Wow, what program are you using? I don't think I can capture higher than 720x480... but I've never tried. Anyways, my source is actually a DVD, coming through the S-VIDEO input on my Pinnacle hardware. Isn't 720x480 already too high? I don't think I'd benefit by increasing the res...

But then again... maybe? Starting at something equivalent to 480x480 like 4000x4000 (just for example) should eliminate artifacts that result through resizing, right? It seems logical...

[BJ_M]

i dont capture (much, though sometimes- i do have both hdtv frame capture and other capture equipment but use source material as much as possable) -- im the guy who makes some of the dvd's you all are ripping ... but more so films to hd for cinema and then to dvd .. special venue .. so my source is the neg of the film unless it shot in high def ..

i would say with your setup (the s-video connection) and dvd source .. cap at 704 x 480 or 720 x 480 (same thing really) .. if you want to try something different capture at the best colour settings you can .. the eye is more Particular to color than resolution accually as long as no artifacts visable (within reason) ... work alway in the highest color space 32-bit floating point on pc most of the time .. use 10bit DC in tmpgenc -- of course captureing in a compressed format will lose quality -- a lossless compression that you can get with huffy is great (though large) .. though not lossless - good mjpeg at the highest settings can yield excellent results ..
an advantage to cap to mjepg is that you can set it up to very slightly down the cap setting to say like 93 and this will cause a very very slight soften in the final mpeg ..

almost all pc monitors are not set correctly - so set your brightness and contrast and color and set up tv to match .. generally contrast at 100% and brightness at 30-40 gets you closer to the mark but use clor charts and pluge chart to set it up correct.. resoures are on the web -- then when setting up for final compression to mpeg svcd or vcd or dvd -- you can make better decisions on settings for optimum quality.

[markums2k]

Hmmmm, so YOU are responsible for all those un-skippable studio logos!?

Anyways, excellent post. I think I'll stick with my current res and try the soften block options or something. I must say, I've fallen in love with MPEG2 over the past few days. Mmmmm, so crisp and clear... I'll never go back to MPEG1.