Question about XVCD vs. SVCD

[TheManuel]

Can a XVCD be made to look as good as a standard SVCD if the bit rate is high enough?

What would be the technical difference between SVCD and a XVCD at the same bit rate?

Thanks.

[Nelson37]

The resolution, though XVCD could be any res, thus interlacing becomes only significant difference other than compatibility issues.

[Poplar]

Vertical resolution. VCD = 352x240 SVCD=480x480
VCD = CBR mpeg-1, SVCD = VBR mpeg-2 (CBR is available, but who would use it?)

If you crank up bitrate for your XVCD, it will look nicer than standard VCD, but not as sharp and crisp as SVCD. You better test it for your self.

[TheManuel]

I assume them, that the compression algorithm is the main difference.
As I understand it, mpeg-2 being VBR allocates more bits to scenes that are harder to compress.

Nelson: what difference would there be with interlacing?

I guess that to see the practical differences, I'll have to give both a try.

[Macros746]

This has been hashed an rehashed. At the same res. and bitrate they are almost (if not) identicle in appearance. ANd XVCD can be any resolution including 480 x 480. It really comes down to if you want to play it in your standalone player (and all compatibility issues therein) and which encoder you want to use.

Macros

[TheManuel]

Thanks a lot.

This information helps me decide on a progressive DVD player I'm planning to buy in the near future that does not support SVCD, but does XVCD.
My current one, does all formats and plays anything you put in there but is not progressive.

Regards,

Manuel

[Nelson37]

Interlacing is not available in MPG1 but is supported in MPG2.

I don't see how a player can support XVCD as there is NO documented standard to adhere to. There is probably more support for slightly higher bitrate, VBR XVCD than SVCD, but to say a player supports XVCD is like saying "I can jump high".

You must be careful not to equate VCD and MPG1 as being the same thing. VCD must be mpg1, cbr 1150. MPG1 can be VBR, any bitrate, any resolution including far beyond what hardware can play. SVCD and VCD mean something specific, MPG1 and MPG2 are just algorithms with very similar capabilities.

[TheManuel]

Acutally, I checked it on the DVD Player compatibility list on this website.
Of course, this is not an insurance but the player is rather enticing.

Thanks again.