My first half SVCD is 1.23gb!!!

[Will Hay]

I captured a movie from a digital source (Sky TV - UK) using Free VCR and the PICVIdeo codec.
Having only used TMPGEnc to produce VCD before I thought I'd try SVCD.
I estimate the first part (Free VCR produced two files on capture) was around 60mins (2gb avi), so I set TMPGenc Plus to produce a file at 49% of an 80min disk (although I'm using Infiniti 99min disks).
Some three hours later (Duron 800!) the finished file size was 1.23gb!
Is file size unimportant when creating SVCD, is it the duration of the mpeg that counts?
Also, would I unwise trying to create a 60minute SVCD (is the limit for decent quality around 45/55 mins?)
Any suggestions as to a recommended setting in TMPGenc would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Will

[Baldrick]

Check that tmpgenc has got the length correct. Under other settings in the wizzard double click under advanced->source range and see if it is only black video at the end of the video. If so you can cut it where it should end. If you would like to avoid this problem you can also change the directshow reader prirotory
www.vcdhelp.com/tmpgenc#problems

[energy80s]

1.2 Gigs wouldn't be far off the mark for 60 mins of video at SVCD bitrates (2496kbps). With this bitrate you won't get more than 39'50" on a 700mB CD-R disc.

[Will Hay]

1.2 Gigs wouldn't be far off the mark for 60 mins of video at SVCD bitrates (2496kbps). With this bitrate you won't get more than 39'50" on a 700mB CD-R disc.

So I'll have to span the 60 min over two disks?
Bugger!
That'll mean my 90min film is three disks, and I won't stretch to more than two disks.
I take it what I should have done is clip the first file (60mins) at 0>45mins, then create another at 45>60mins, then added that to a third file of 60>90mins.
That would have given me one disk of 0>45 and another of 45>90 right?
Is that the proceedure?
Am I right in thinking a 60min SVCD will look rubbish, and would be better served in VCD?
Is there a time scale that I shouldn't exceed, ie generally 45mins?
TMPGEnc has a template CBR (?) at 1600 bitrate would indicates 55mins, how does this compare to VDC of the same length?
Many thanks,
Will

[Will Hay]

Under other settings in the wizzard double click under advanced->source range and see if it is only black video at the end of the video.

Thanks, I already checked this and sure enough it's fine, video at the start and end
Will

[Will Hay]

I could really do with sticking a couple of 27min clips on an 80min CD, in SVCD format.
What settings would you recommend for optimal quality?
I was going to squeeze this to three and go with VCD but guess the quality would be far worse, right?
Will

[hwoodwar]

You might want to consider/try CVD. I generally just take a SVCD template and change the resolution to 352 x 480 and then use 2-Pass VBR and High Quality motion search precision. With a good source I have gotten good quality at 55 min. I suspect you can stretch this since you have a digital source.

If you want to try this I would suggest:

1. Call up your SVCD template in TMPGenc using the project wizard.
2. Load your 60min avi
3. At the Filter Setting page click Other Settings
4. On the Video tab change rate control mode to 2-Pass VBR
5. Click on the setting icon beside it.
6. The max bitrate is subjective. If you want to stay within the standard than you should probably set it to 2520. If these are just for yourself and you know what the max bitrate your systems can handle than you may want to make it higher. For my systems/standalone players I would initially try min: 1000, avg: 1900, max: 4000. The min: 1000, avg: 1900 I would try with whatever max you decide.
7. While still on this page set the motion search precision.
8. Click OK
9. Click Next on the Filter Setting page.
10. Now you should be on the Bitrate Setting page
11. Adjust the average bitrate until the encoded file fits just inside the 80min/800mb mark.
12. Make note of all three settings used for 2-Pass VBR.
13. At this point I would suggest you cancel out of this to test these settings.
14. Take your 60min video and make a short "test" cut maybe 5min. Try to choose the place in a fast-action and or dark scene. This is where you will probably see the worst quality of the entire 60 min.
15. Run the test cut using CVD resolution with the 2-Pass VBR settings you decided on and burn to CD. With whatever burning program you are using you will have to turn off SVCD compliance.
16. Play in your standalone player to verify it will play and to check quality.

[Will Hay]

Thanks, I'll give those settings a try, probably after the office party this afternoon when I'll stagger home at around 7pm and think, being slightly worse for wear, I can acomplish anything!
Thanks again,
Will
--
UK

[SatStorm]

For TMPGenc and xCVD, use 2 Pass VBR (motion estimate search method) and an average bitrate about 2000kb/s (for example 1000min, 2000average, 3000max). That way is about 60min per 80min disc and the picture is excellent.
you can back up all your movies to 2 74min CDs that way

[PlaiBoi]

@SatStorm
With an avg. bitrate of 2000 I don't think you're going to be able to fit 60 min. on one CD.

@Silky31
I put my 2-hour movies on 2 CD's in SVCD format. I use an audio bitrate of either 160 or 192 and an avg. of about 1650, min. 600 and max. 2530. I use 4-pass VBR with CCE and get pretty good results. I've also done it with 2-pass with TMPGEnc and the results are still good. BTW, many people will say that MPEG-2 under 2000 looks bad, I disagree. If I were you, i'd give it a shot on a short clip and see if its acceptable to you. For me, it looks good. I'd rather lose a little quality than have to use another CD. Also, I think the quality of this looks better than a VCD.

[SatStorm]

Sorry typo, you are right. With 80 min CD-R is about 50min. (using 192kb/s audio).
Sorry again