Question about quality conversion from VCD to DVD

[rubblerubble]

Okay, I've read the guide about converting VCD to DVD using Ulead Movie Factory and I think it works great. I have a simple question (I think), but it is something I need to know for own reassurance.

Since VCDs are already 352x240, I set the custom quality to stay at the VCD rate (1150), which Movie Factory tells me I can fit 6 hours on one DVD. Now, I could use the Fair to Great settings (4000 to 8000), but does that give you any advantage when converting from VCD to DVD? I mean, it obviously uses more space, but is that quality improved at all?

sorry if this question seems lame, but I have to ask. Thanks.

[luvvbuzz]

no i dont think so, you cant improve the quality, the quality wont be made any better than the source files, it will just make the file sizes bigger, hence less space on the dvd.

[Gazorgan]

None. At best it will look exactly like the VCD. At worst, it looks too bad to watch.

Generally speaking, going to a better resolution/bitrate won't improve the quality. It doesn't work that way. As the proverb goes "You can't make a silk purse out of a Sows ear".

Now certain VHS captures can be re-filterd and slightly improved, even at the cost of another encode. Generally speaking this only works on videos with a lot of noticeable noise.

Going up in Resolution gains you nothing

Increasing the bitrate doesn't automatically increase the quality

[rubblerubble]

Thanks. That's kinda what I figured, but your reassurance makes me feel better about what I'm doing.

[AndrewMax]

I was doing VCD to DVD, generally you can't improve quality, garbage in garbage out. However using Virtualdub as frameserver for TMPGEnc. with smooth filter on at 35% improved smoothness. Finally it is a bit more acceptable