All my TMPEGEnc VCD's are jerky/shudder

[Linelle]

I'm having no luck getting any TMPEGEnc encoded MPEG1 to play correctly on my DVD player (Toshiba SD3755). The exact same clips encoded by Adobe's MPEG encoder (Premiere 6.5) plays great.

So why should I care, if I can get things to work with Premiere? It's just that TMPEGEnc seems to be an extremely versatile piece of software, and I hate not being able to solve things.

I'm including the details of both encoders, hoping it will reveal something to the more experienced here. I apologize in advance for the length of this post.

My original clip is an unedited capture from Sony TRV50.
MS DV NTSC 720x480
Pixel aspect ratio D1/DV NTSC (0.9)
29.97
32,000
Uncompressed
Lower field 1st
Real time preview

From Premiere 6.5 - Exported to AVI as MS DV AVI, 32,000

Exported to Adobe MPEG Encoder:
VCD - NTSC Std. bitrate (default settings kept):
352x240
29.97 drop frame
Aspect ratio 1.125-CCIR601 525 lines (NTSC)
CBR 1.15 Mbps (Mode 1)

Audio: MPEG, Layer 2, Bitrate 224 kbps, Freq 44.1, Stereo, CRC off
Multiplxer - VCD, CBR-1.41 Mbps, Max file size-off
Lower field 1st.

TMPEGEnc v.2.59.47 (VCD-NTSC template loaded, unlocked), used defaults
MPEG1, using AVI exported from Premiere
352x240
4:3 525 line (NTSC)
CBR
1150
VBV buffer 40
Advanced tab shows:
Interlace, bottom field 1st
Source aspect ratio 4:3 525 line (NTSC 704x480)
Nothing checked below

The resulting MPEG plays fine on my computer. It plays fine when previewed in Easy CD Creator Platinum. But when I burn it to either CD-R or CD-RW (same media used for successful Adobe MPEG), both video and audio play shudder/jerky on my DVD player. Also, I have tested the same clip, encoded by Premiere and TMPEGEnc and each burned on the same CD. So, it's not just the particular burn, since clip 1 (Premiere) works, and clip 2 (TMPEGEnc) doesn't.

Can anyone see any anomalies that I may have overlooked in my newbieness? Settings look pretty much the same to me between the two encoders. Should I try something else? Should I just forget about TMPEGEnc?

Thanks in advance!

[hwoodwar]

I am by no means an expert on this. I do use TMPGenc regularly, but I don't mess with settings much. At any rate I'm scepticle about "Source aspect ratio 4:3 525 line (NTSC 704x480) " In particular the 704 x 480. I'm guessing this may be creating an XVCD. However, Easy CD Creator Platinum should have built-in VCD compliance checks (unless you have turned them off.) What I'd suggest you try, is burning with VCDEasy (you might have to install the ForceASPI drivers to get it to work) and making sure you leave all the VCD compliance checks enabled. This may give you a smooth running VCD, or at least the compliance checks will warn you that your MPEG file is out of specs for VCD.

[alenhard]

Looks like your problem is probably your dvd player. If you will read the reviews others have posted about it, you'll see that vcd support is very poor (look to the left and choose DVD Players, then do a search for yours and read reports). Given the fact that it will play on your computer, I'd say you are using TMPGEnc correctly (seems to me that you've followed the right steps).

Just to be sure, try playing the disc on another player!
Good luck!

[energy80s]

I've noticed that TMPGenc does this with VCD encoded clips on my Cyberhome 528 DVD player. Try the Panasonic MPEG1 encoder - it works perfectly for me (and is a great picture into the bargain!)

[Linelle]

In particular the 704 x 480. I'm guessing this may be creating an XVCD.

I wondered about this. It comes up by default with the VCD template. Nothing comes up in Easy CD Creator about being out of compliance (and the preview plays quite nicely).

[Linelle]

Try the Panasonic MPEG1 encoder

The Adobe MPEG encoder is working fine for me, so I can't complain. It's just bugging me that what seems to be a much used, much loved program isn't working on my DVD.

[Linelle]

Looks like your problem is probably your dvd player.

I can't believe how many variables come into play!

Just to throw something else into this mix. I wanted to see if my DVD would fall for the old header trick and play SVCD (I know, I should stick to basics... ). I exported my AVI to Adobe MPEG Encoder as an SVCD. I loaded it into TMPEGEnc and did the header trick (as documented at this site).

Easy CD Creator wouldn't accept it, but Nero would (I downloaded the demo). Burned it and tried it out on my DVD player.

Okay, it wasn't good (unsynched audio and video), some shuddering. But I would have to say it actually played better than the plain VCD with TMPEGEnc MPEG1.

[alenhard]

Again, you should research your player....

[Linelle]

Again, you should research your player....

You're right. I didn't realize user reports were there, too. Now I've added my 2¢. Thanks for the tip!

[kjmacke]

Try this it worked for me. aspect ratio 4:3 and source set to 4:3 if your movie is 4:3. Aspect ratio 4:3 and source set to 16:9 if your movie is 16:9.