SVCD: Nero or TMPGenc ?

[bruce48]

I use Pinnacle Studio 7 to create movies from analog captures and captures from my digital camera.
To create an SVCD the forum members at Pinnacle agree that the best way is to render my projects to avi, convert to mpg via TMPGenc and then burn with Nero. The results have been fantastic.

If I try to burn an SVCD without going to TMPG, Nero gives me an error and asks that I buy a plug-in to do the conversion to a burnable file.

TMPG is also about to time-out since that program also is limited in it's ability to convert to a burnable file for SVCD without buying an upgrade.
I have no problem buying the plug-in but which one should I get?
Should I upgrade my TMPG or should I go with the Nero version?
And to add to my choices Pinnacle just came out with an upgrade which, they claim, can also do the file conversion for a burnable SVCD.
Any suggestions?
I thank you in advance,
bk

[kickbxn5]

E-mail me kickbxn5@aol.com

[tmcmvd]

Did he solve the problem ?

NERO's MPEG II codec needs to be bought and is not as good as TMPG..

If you use TMPG's multipass VBR it gives best results and can be burned using NERO.

If using CBR MPEG II you can create the MPEG with Studio 7 and burn with NERO.

Studio7 to AVI is a problem, though it won't support the HUFFYUV codec, so use a DV codec or a MJPEG codec at highest quality.

Greetz.

[bruce48]

I thank you for your response.
Some people over at the Pinnacle forums also suggested that the TMPG template is better so I guess I will stick with what I am doing and purchase the TMPG plug in.
My gratitude speaks,
bk

[KingJohn]

What TMPGEnc plug-in TMPGEnc does not have a SVCD codec available as part of the package.

Should you wish to use TMPGEnc for converting to SVCD you would need a SVCD codec, like what is provided with Power DVD 4

New dedicated VFAPI Plug-in to read MPEG-2 files included. This operates decoder through DirectShow if one of the following MPEG-2 decoder is installed.* CyberLink
* Ligos
* Sony

codec's that are provided with Nimo are not suitable for use with the new TMPGEnc Plus

[KingJohn]

Oh yes, the free TMPGEnc 30 day trial, I guess they will then expect you to purchase the new release.

unless you live in the future

[bruce48]

When you want to create a file that can be burned as an SVCD TMPG tells you that the ability to create such files is limited to 30 days. After your 30 days are up you need to purchase the full version. A link is given which leads to ( I kept in the spelling errors):

"First ever product version of TMPGEnc. Available Now! Please visit "Buy" page.
TMPGEncPlus will be first product version of TMPGEnc.
TMPGEnc includes the following features :
- Encodes AVI file into MPEG-1/2 format.
- Wizerd mode
- Adjusting size, aspect ratio etc.
- Multiplex/De-multiplex Video/Audio stream
and more fetures in this software encoder!"

Since so many of you vote for TMPG I will be purchasing the above product as soon as I get the scratch.
thanks
bk

[KingJohn]

Since so many of you vote for TMPG I will be purchasing the above product as soon as I get the scratch.
thanks
bk

Yep... "We" already know that...

http://www.ifekx.com/products/tmpgenc/tmpg_revisionhist_257.html

TMPGEnc Plus Online Version
By purchasing license, you can unlock the evaluation version. Please read the following guide to purchase the license.

http://www.pegasys-inc.com/e_main2.html

http://www.pegasys-inc.com/e_hist2.html

When opening MPEG files with TMPGEnc Plus, because the current version of TMPGEnc Plus does not have an integrated MPEG-2 decoder feature, it relies on other MPEG-2 decoders installed onto Windows system through Microsoft DirectShow to read MPEG-2 files.

Although Microsoft DirectShow does not support playback of MPEG-2 files as per default, by installing software DVD player etc., it is possible to playback MPEG-2 files. Microsoft Although DirectShow has such structure that additional components of DirectShow extends capabilities to read/playback other formats; however this is totally depent on software installed in your system. The software may be sometimes unstable because of compatibility or conflicts between such additional components. Thus, Pegasys, Inc. does not officially support/warrant the feature to read movie files via Microsoft DirectShow.

[donpedro]

Now i am confused ....

Will TMPGEncPlus give you same quality results as old TMPGEnc ???

[KingJohn]

Probable the same , what I am saying is, you seam to think that when you buy the TMPGEnc plus then you can immediately to make SVCD's. You can't, you need to install a codec to work with it.

There is only 3 of them that's recommended, so if you installed Power DVD 4, as well, then yes it will be just fine.

The free version or download the Plus and use it as a trial, you need to purchase the serial number to unlock it

[bugster]

KingJohn wrote

Probable the same , what I am saying is, you seam to think that when you buy the TMPGEnc plus then you can immediately to make SVCD's. You can't, you need to install a codec to work with it.

Actually (unless something has changed in the most recent versions) TmpGenc will quite happily produce mpeg2 output files without any external codec being installed, you just won't be able to play them on your comp, thats all! A 'minor' drawback maybe, but, AFAIK, true. (TmpGenc also cannot open mpeg2 files for re-encoding without a suitable codec installed)

Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong in this

[KingJohn]

Then go read this, as you have not read this thread
http://www.tmpgenc.net/e_history.html

AND its NEVER had a codec !

[bugster]

KingJohn your right, TmpGenc has NEVER had a codec, but it does have an encoder (but no decoder, so thats 1/2 a codec I suppose).
Anyway, the point I was trying to make, (and I still think I am correct but can't check as I don't have access to a PC without an mpeg2 codec and am not about to start uninstalling stuff just for this) is that TmpGenc does not use any external mpeg2 codecs when converting an avi to mpeg2, the encoder is builtin. However, without an mpeg2 codec installed, you will not be able to play such a file on your PC, nor will Tmpgenc be able to read any mpeg-2 files.

So you CAN make SVCD's with Tmpgenc and no mpeg-2 codec, just you will have to trust to luck and burn straight to disk to check it.

(Oh, BTW I have read the info you pointed me at)

[KingJohn]

What use would any SVCD be, if it could not be test afterwards, or edit ?
TMPGEnc does not come fully supporting Mpeg 2, end of story

People think that when they purchase the Program, they can then edit mpeg 2 files, they can't.

[donpedro]

KingJohn, I know that you said "end of story", but I still have question.

Do I need external MPEG2 codec to convert AVI to MPEG2 ?

Not to edit or play on PC. Just convert (encode).

Thanks.

[RoopeT]

You can encode avi to SVCD with TMPGEnc without any mpeg2 playback codec. You can encode mpeg2 (DVD, SVCD) to mpeg1/mpeg2 with TMPGEnc, if you use avisynth + mpeg2dec.dll for frameserving. You can demultiplex, multiplex, cut and so on mpeg2 files with TMPGEnc mpeg tools. All this can be done without paying for the registered version, if you just download a new version before the 30 days trial period is over (it's no co-incidence they're releasing new versions so often).

[donpedro]

Thanks.

[KingJohn]

KingJohn, I know that you said "end of story", but I still have question.
Do I need external MPEG2 codec to convert AVI to MPEG2 ?
Not to edit or play on PC. Just convert (encode).
Thanks.

Yes and No, if you try to edit anything you made, you can't
Read your PM

[donpedro]

Yes and No, if you try to edit anything you made, you can't
Read your PM

Converting to MPEG2 is my final step. So no editing after that is needed. I was just curious how TMPGEnc works.

Thanks again.

[ya_jai]

KingJohn your right, TmpGenc has NEVER had a codec, but it does have an encoder (but no decoder, so thats 1/2 a codec I suppose).
Anyway, the point I was trying to make, (and I still think I am correct but can't check as I don't have access to a PC without an mpeg2 codec and am not about to start uninstalling stuff just for this) is that TmpGenc does not use any external mpeg2 codecs when converting an avi to mpeg2, the encoder is builtin. However, without an mpeg2 codec installed, you will not be able to play such a file on your PC, nor will Tmpgenc be able to read any mpeg-2 files.

So you CAN make SVCD's with Tmpgenc and no mpeg-2 codec, just you will have to trust to luck and burn straight to disk to check it.

(Oh, BTW I have read the info you pointed me at)

I can say you are correct. Without mpeg2 code TMPGEnc can encode to mpeg2 file. It just you cannot play, edit or load that mpeg2 file in TMPGEnc.