Can I burn MPEG2 to a CD ?

[r.acraman]

I am waiting for DVD burner spec to be available (8x dual format with 40x CD-R and 16x CD-RW) but already producing home VCD's and can capture in MPEG 2 with a new capture card.

What I want to know is how can I put a home movie which I have already captured as an MPEG2 file (720x576) onto a CD? I know a CD can only hold some 15 minutes or so, but for school sports days and family events etc this is ample to send to family etc with top resolution.

I can happily do VCD, but whilst I am waiting for the above spec I would like to take advantage of higher resolution for short video clips.

Any help or advice would be gratefully received - thanks in advance

[Tommyknocker]

If you want to keep the higher resolution, the only option I know of is to lower your bit rate. Use the wizard in TMPGEnc, or a bit rate calculator. You are risking blockiness, I think you should not try lowering your bitrate to such an extreme level, but it just may work.

[r.acraman]

Thanks for that TommyKnocker - the problem is the physical issue of burning. I have tried using Nero 5.5 but you can only go up to SVCD.

I have also tried using VOB's Instant Video which allows me to create a DVD project, but unhelpfully just says that each of my mpeg2 files could not be added to the project. I have encoded to mpeg2 using tmpg and other authoring packages so it's not the encoding.

It would be handy as not all standalone DVD players will play VCD or SVCD, but if I can burn a DVD on a CD-R that would be great. I don't know where to go - if indeed it's even possible to burn a DVD to a CD-R.

Any ideas

[Tommyknocker]

You may want to look at Video Studio 6. If you select the Create DVD option, and insert a blank CD-R, it makes a short DVD on your CD-R. I remember the first time I did this, I was amazed at the video quality, but be advised I was a little subjective as I was watching me doing Hamlet's Soliloquy.

[holistic]

I think what you are asking for is this.
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/userguides/98177.php

CVD

This is even less compatiable with standalone DVD players than xVCD or xSVCD

BUT if your end users can view it , then why not use it.

][

[r.acraman]

Thanks for the link to CVD.

There's a lot there to digest. I've read it through once, but I need to read it through a few more times. It seems that CVD is still a part of SVCD (all a part of the China DVD workaround), so still relies upon your standalone DVD player having a VCD/SVCD/CVD ability, rather than pure DVD.

I have downloaded Nero 6 and tried their Mini-DVD which I thought seemed to fit the bill entirely - except none of my standalone players play the output - yet they all play DVD/VCD/SVCD on DVD/CR-R and CD-RW, so no chance of outputting this to family and friends to play on their standalones.

[jpconard]

NeoDVD can create the CDVD (miniDVD) in 3 formats from your captured MPEG2 file.

Good - 352x480, 3122kbps (PCM audio), 31 min. 20 sec. 700mb CD-R
Better - 352x480, 4509kbps (PCM audio), 21min.42 sec.
Best - 720x480, 8117 (PCM audio) 12 min. 3 sec.

Upgrade to PLus version and you can use MP2 audio (longer viewing times).

The Apex -1100W from walmart plays them (miniDVD), although I can't remember but I think mine won't play the higher bitrates correctly.

I read on this site that many players can't spin the CD fast enough to read the high bitrate (or something like that). Do a search for miniDVD or CDVD.

I use it occasionally for a 30 minute or less clip, works good and CD-Rs are cheap (usually free).

[BowlPacker]

I do this with Ulead DVD Movie Factory. I use 352x480 resolution and around 3800 kbps VBR bitrate and 224 kbps MP2 audio (TMPGEnc). With these specs I can get around 22-23 minutes per CD at a very acceptable quality (analog source). My Apex 1200 from Wal-Mart accepts them fine, seeing it as a "MiniDVD". In MF2 I just author as a DVD, but burn it on a CD-R instead of a DVD.