If mpg is encoded at high rate....

[lewie1999]

If I encode my files as mpg at a high enough rate (6-8000), won't it be as good a quality as an mpeg2 file at the same rate? If not, can you please explain the difference. Thank you.

[vhelp]

file in: "Advance Conversion" area

Hint, click SEARCH
and type in something like "CBR and VBR" and start reading all you want 8)
Don't be afraid to search.

try these links:
* SVCD minimum to be better than VCD
* Auto VBR vs. 2 Pass VBR fro TMPGEnc
* Which bitrate ?
* Could VBR ever be better than CBR??
* Accurate file size prediction with 2-pass VBR? And other Q's

*** FAQ

Hope those help.
-vhelp

[lewie1999]

I HAVE been reading, but I don't see where my question has been answered. Let me re-state it. I'm not trying to create a VCD or DVD, just trying to encode video files that will be played through a software program that uses WMP as its basis. The program I am using to play my encoded files does not like mpg2 files on some computers, but has no problem with mpg files. I need the quality of mpg2 but also need to have it encoded as mpg (file size doesn't matter). I have taken some of my files and encoded them as mpg with a VBR 6000-8000 kb/s and have been told that these work where the same files as mpg2 would not. Now I understand that at these rates, it's not a true mpg file (right?), but my encoding program lets me set these parameters, and it works, so..... But my question STILL is - Technically, if the rates are the same, does the fact that one is called mpg and the other mpg2 make a difference in the quality? Does that question make sense? And I sincerely apologize if this has been answered 1000 times already, but I swear I can't find it.

[Xtasy2002]

I can't tell you technically YES or NO based on actual data specifications. What I can tell you, however, is that IMHO mpeg-1 (Which is the proper name for it) will be a poorer quality video that mpeg-2. I've also read on the net that Mpeg-1 uses a different type of compression for the video, that results in more lossy video.

I have captured some stuff in super high bitrate mpeg-1 that still looked blocky on certain areas. But the same video in Mpeg-2 looked great. You should really try to capture both at the same rate and compare them for yourself to see what I mean. If they look good to you, no matter.

[lewie1999]

Thanks Xtasy-that's my answer. I have tried it and noticed a little difference, but wanted to be sure it wasn't just me. Thanks again.

[0 kewl]

lewie1999,

Why don't you download Mpeg2 plug-in/codec so that you can play Mpeg2 on your WMP (or the software that is based on WMP):

http://www.maximusdvd.com/freedvdcodecs.htm

[snowmoon]

The reason that mpeg-2 sometimes work and sometimes does not is because of windows.

Mpeg-1 is built in, nothing else required.

Mpeg-2 requires a codec usually installed by DVD players.

High bitrate mpeg-1 can look almost identical to mpeg-2, but lacks a few things like non-linear quanitzation and mpeg-1 does not support interlacing. TMPGenc should be able to crank out a nice mpeg-1 at almost any bitrate with few if any "blocking".

If playback on a PC is your main concern why not use a mpeg-4 derivitave. There are many codecs that you could use all with generally better compression ratios over mpeg-2, but you need more CPU horsepower and compatibility might be an issue.