Sizing an mpeg still

[timmyp]

I am trying to create an mpeg still for an Insert Disc 2 message... I have browsed the forums and now have an excellent idea of exactly how to do this with VCD Easy.

The one thing I'm unclear on is what pixel size the original jpeg image should be before I convert. 702x480? or 352x240? Is 300 dpi OK? or should I go higher?

This will be for an NTSC VCD.

Thanks in advance,

Tim

[themichael]

- Start with a canvas size of 768x576.
- 72 DPI will allow the full picture to fit on you computer screen. Makes editting easier.
- Use about a 10% margin to allow for overscan on TV sets.

VCDEasy will correctly resize this image for you.

Make sure your colors are between 15 and 240 (black = F0F0F0 = 240.240.240) or use a "NTSC Safe" filter to adjust the colors. This goes for PAL too.

Done this with over a 1000 pics for a VCD photo album disc.

Hmmmmmm, maybe a guide on pic prep?

Mike

[timmyp]

Thank you!! Worked like a charm!

Just curious, though... why 768x576? Why that particular sizing vs. 702x352 or some other? Details, details please... I wanna learn.

Thanks again,

Tim

[themichael]

simple answer:
it compensates for the pixel's aspect ration when converting to mpeg still. this will apply to PAL and NTSC pics.

see posts by vitualis for more in depth explanation.

or look at his page explaining mpeg stills:
http://www.vcdimager.org/guides/mpeg_still_images.html

Mike

Maybe a guide on mass pic prep is in order. Have to do it after I finish my current project......

[vitualis]

Unless you have any particular reason (and I can think of no good ones), you should be making high resolution S/VCD stills.

For PAL, the framesize is 704 x 576 and for NTSC it is 704 x 480 (both with a DAR of 4:3).

Now, it doesn't really matter what your original image framesize is, the end framesize must be the above.

If you are making images to put on a VCD (e.g., a menu), it is a good idea to work at an image with a pixel ratio of 4:3 so that there will be no distortion when it is viewed on the TV. Thus, the smallest framesize you can use (without having to resize up which will significantly decrease image quality) is 768 x 576.

If you are simply putting images like digital photos on a VCD, there is no need to resize/crop/letterbox to those dimensions before giving to VCDEasy. VCDEasy can (and will) resize the image to the appropriate size, adjust for the aspect ratio, and letterbox it if required to fit the framesize of 704x480/576.

The 768x576 is simply a good and convenient framesize to use for creating your images "de novo" to ensure good quality.

Regards.