Newbie help with SVCD

[barb210]

I have heard that SVCD is better quality than VCD. What are the settings for this on TMPGenc please. Is there any easy way to do it.

I have the latest Nero 5590 which is supposed to encode and burn to SVCD but it doesn't seem able to burn them.

Thanks

[ABAB]

Hey barb210, It's all new to me also, but I am getting good quality stuff out of TMPGEnc. If you give more details about what you are trying to achieve I'm sure help will be along soon.
I might even be able to help you out myself.

[Treebeard]

SVCD kicks VCD's butt. if your using tmpgenc just use the supervideocd template. but you only get 30 days for tmpgenc to do mpeg2 files, unless you buy or download the full version somewhere.

[barb210]

I am trying to get better quality movies from downloaded movie files. I am using TMPGenc and VCD Easy but I think SVCD is supposed to be better quality.

[barb210]

I used the TMPGenc template but when I went to load it in VCD Easy it said it was not a MPEG 2 file.

[Treebeard]

Know this ---> you can not make a svcd or vcd look better than what your source is.

if your existing movie file isnt perfect than you cant make it perfect by encoding it.

its always good to have the highest quality source - like a ripped dvd. then the svcd will turn out almost as good as the dvd looks

[barb210]

The source file is good.

[ABAB]

OK, I use TMPGEnc only.
I split my file into whatever is required (usually3 parts) and encode using HQ and CBR settings, (all in the SVCD setting).

If the quality of the original file is good, you will get good results back.
I've done a couple of DVD rips and the results are great. I'm in the emiddle of trying to lower the bitrate in order to squeeze a film onto 2 discs with no great loss in quality.

Stand by, Hope this helps.

[fantomlord]

I used the TMPGenc template but when I went to load it in VCD Easy it said it was not a MPEG 2 file.

if you've converted the file with TMPG, then it should work. just uncheck the "perform compliance checks" box, and it should work.

[barb210]

Thanks I will try it, is there any special for converting with TMPGenc?

[ABAB]

The 'How to' on the right of this post is a really good start for you.
Give it a blast. Try encoding 1 or 2 min' segments with different settings ( noting what settings you used), burn onto a disc and then you have an instant comparison.

[barb210]

Thanks. I just did what the last person suggested but although it burnt the cd nothing came out on my DVD player. All my VCD's have worked on it so far maybe the SVCD wont work on it.

[Treebeard]

DID YOU PLAYER SAY DISC ERROR?

have you checked if your dvd player is compatible with svcd's?

sometimes you have to trick the player into thinking its a vcd by putting a mpeg1 header on it.

check to see if its compatible first.

[barb210]

It didn't say disc error. It loaded it as if it was going to play, it fast forwarded but there was no picture, just the normal screen saver.

[Treebeard]

http://www.vcdhelp.com/dvdplayers

did you check for compatibility?

some players just wont play it, some players dont like certain brand discs.

[barb210]

Just checked and it is compatible. When I put the disc in it registered as an SVCD but then didn't play anything.

[barb210]

I chose the PAL template on TMPGenc as I am in England would this have made any difference. It never has on the VCD type.

[ABAB]

I'm in England too, I use PAL or NTSC, it makes no difference (apart from time).
Have you read through the 'how to' on the right
Can you encode to VCD?. If you can do that you should be able to encode to SVCD. Oops, I see you can.
I can only sugest a re-install of TMPGEnc, but first you should check the help given on the right and maybe wait for expert help.

Luck

[ABAB]

I meant left (2 bottles of red..........you know the score).

[barb210]

Thanks I will keep trying.

[barb210]

I have tried again and this time the file is too big to burn, so what shall I do now??

[Treebeard]

http://www.vcdhelp.com/tmpgencsvcd.htm

I suggest you do a lot of reading on this page and follow it from beginning to end. the more reading the more informed and the better at problem solving

[ABAB]

Try listing down what you are doing.
How big is the file you converted?, what settings are you using?.

[barb210]

The file converted to over 1011mb. The settings I used were just the ones for the SVCD on TMPGenc for PAL. I didn't know what ones to use so just guessed. Obviously wrongly.

[bighousie]

You have to split the file into 2 files. Go to the file-menu in TMPGEnc , open MPEGtools , go to the tab Merge & cut , type: choose Mpeg2 super video cd , add your file , click on it and click on Edit. In the new window use the marker and the { } to define begin and end of the new file. Choose a good moment for the end ( is the begin of the second halve! ). If done click OK. In the new window fill in a outputname and click on Run and wait till it's done. If all went good you have the first halve . Do the same for the second halve . It is easy to type under Range the time of the end of the first halve and go a little back with I<< . Before clicking on Run change the outputname! Good luck!

[nimco]

Hi everyone,

I am expecting similar problem, let me just insert one question:
Is Nero 5590 realy capable to encode MPEG-2 to SVCD with out plug-in
which is available to buy separately?

Sorry for interruption,

Nimco

[bighousie]

As far as i know you need to have a svcd plug-in. Look for it on the internet!

[nimco]

One more question,

When the SVCD is written, in the MPEG folder I see .MPG file, should it be .DAT file? When mpeg is converted to VCD, a .DAT is created,
should be the same for SVCD? What is the file structure for that?

Thanks for response,

nimco

[bighousie]

Vcd -----> dat-file , Svcd ----> mpg-file!

[nimco]

Thanks for response.
Is it different structure file than was used for converting to SVCD? I agree, my stand-alone DVD may not play SVCD, but my MediaPlayer does not do that either, my computer locks. Original mpg on HD works just fine.
How may I open this file?

Thanks a lot,

nimco