After lots of reading and searching, finally able to put recorded TV programs (by TV card) into VCD/SVCD perfectly.

But now, encoding time.

Direct record in ready-to burn MPEG seem to be easiest, fastest but quality just fine and must keep the computer "stable" during recording.

Best result I have tried is record in MJPEG(18)+PCM (480x576) then TMPGEnc convert to SVCD format (2Pass VBR, Joint-Stereo), but for 20mins (~1.8GB file size) take almost 3hrs!

Convert to CBR-SVCD format is much faster but very blocky. Even worst than direct-to-MPEG.

Going to convert about 50+ VHS into SVCD/xVCD/VCD (~60min/700MB disc), what'll be suggested?


Here's some setting/procedures I tried:

TVs to SVCD
(For programs going to re-watch more than once on TV, kids programs, documentary, etc.)
-capture@ 480x576, MJPEG-18, PCM-CDaudio (Winfast PVR)
-cut Ad@ Nandub

-convert@ MPEG2 2Pass VBR 500/1500 2520max, Joint-Stereo (TMPGEnc Plus)
-motion search@ Normal or High
-Noise reduction & Soften block noice
~60min fit 700MB disc
-time to encode 20min@ <3hrs!!
-Best quality

-convert@ MPEG2 CBR 1600Kbps, Joint-Stereo (TMPGEnc Plus)
-motion search@ Normal or High
-Noise reduction & Soften block noice
~60min fit 700MB disc
-time to encode 20min@ 1/2 hour
-Very good generally, but obvious blocks sometime.


TVs to xVCD
(As above, less valuable)
-capture@ 352x288, MPEG-1 CBR 2108kbps, MP3 224kbps Stereo (Winfast PVR)
-Cut Ad@ Ulead MediaStudio 6, setting same as source
-convert@ CBR 1500Kbps, Joint-Stereo (TMPGEnc Plus)
-motion search@ Normal or High
-Noise reduction & Soften block noice
~60min fit 700MB disc
-time to encode 20min@ 1.5hour (1hr for Ulead and half hour TMPGEnc)
-Very good generally, but obvious blocks sometime.


TVs to Computer
(Programs that likely will be "re-watched" myself only, eg. News)
-capture@ 352x288, Divx5.05 1pass 922Kbps, MP3 224kbps Stereo (Winfast PVR)
-Cut Ad@ Nandub
~21min about 150+MB
-Good quality generally.


I always create Bin/Cue first by VCDEasy before using Nero burn to disc.
Sometime try to burn on a CDRW first.


And here's my computer config:

AMD 3200+ 1GB ram
Seagate 8MB cache HD
Winfast 2000TV Expert