CVD - which tmpgenc template SVCD or DVD?

[Phil W]

I have just created what a lot of people now seem to be reffering to as a DVD compliant CVD. My source is DV camcorder footage and once played back on my TV I was VERY pleased with the results. In fact after more than a year of playing around with VCD SVCD's formats etc. its the first time I have achieved what look like no compromise results.

I created the mpg by unlocking the tmpgenc SVCD template and simply changing the res to 352x576 and the audio to 48hz. This worked fine when played back on my Philips DVD701. However I am consious that I have not changed (reduced) the GOP settings to DVD limitations and may not have genuinely created an mpeg that can also be burnt on a DVD in the future (when they get cheaper blah blah blah).

So here's my question - should I use the SVCD template and change the GOP or use the tmgenc DVD(PAL) template and make the appropriate changes to bitrate/resoultion?

[SatStorm]

In theory, is the same mpeg 2 file with different headers. Those headers are determine the mpeg 2 to CVD/SVCD or DVD.

I prefer unlocking the SVCD template. I set the correct resolution for CVD and the audio to 44100 (which is the standard for CVD) or 48000 (which is not standard and some players are having problems)
Also, I set manual the correct GOP stracture (IBBPBBPBBPBBPBB for PAL)

[ZenZen]

>>VERY pleased with the results. In fact after more than a year of playing around with VCD SVCD's formats etc. its the first time I have achieved what look like no compromise results.

I have seen many posts similar to this. It begs the question whether CVDs are actually better quality than SVCDs ?????

[adam]

Quality is relative. Some may prefer the higher resolution of SVCD even if there are more artifacts. Technically an XSVCD at 720x480 should be far inferior to either a CVD or a SVCD at the same bitrate, since the bits per pixel is so much lower. However, the added sharpness may appeal more to some than others so no format can clearly be deemed as the highest quality.

I think the best way to look at it is to compare bits per pixel to resolution. According to the mpeg consortium 352x480 @ 2mbits is one of mpegs sweet spots. At this point you are achieving the optimum balance between bitrate and resolution. So at this bitrate or lower CVD makes more sense than SVCD. At a higher bitrate SVCD may be a more logical choice since the higher bitrate is enough to support the higher resolution, but again this is a subjective choice.

[Phil W]

SatStorm - thanks for the info. I seem to be able to get away with audio at 48000 on my Philips 701 player so I will stick with this. I think I will create a new template from the SVCD and change the GOP as per your post above. Thanks againfor your help - good info.