TMPGEnc Question

[dcapp1]

Hi,

I have a divx source video that I am using TMPGEnc to convert to mpeg svcd. I'll admit that the source isn't the greatest of quality, but after I convert the video it gets worse with the picture very grainy looking. I know that converting won't make the picture any better, but I at least want to get the same quality out of it.

My source video is 4:3 640x480 resolution with 29.970fps, and I am trying to use the svcd ntsc setting in TMPGEnc to convert it. One thing I notice is when I load the movie it judges field order, and the source comes up with bottom field first.

Does anybody have any tips? Thanks

[teegee420]

What kind of settings are you using? 2-pass VBR? What's the estimated file size of your output file, and play length of your source video?

[dcapp1]

I am using 2 pass vbr with an estimated file size of around 800 MB. My source video is 1:25:43. Any further help would be appreciated. Thanks

[teegee420]

Well then it looks like your problem is that you need to spread that long of a film over 2 discs. There's no way one disc will work unless you're using SKVCD or KVCD encoding, and even then the quality isn't quite as good as a 2 disc VBR SVCD(though some would say otherwise). Your setting should look something like this. The main value to be concerned with is the percent of disc capacity.
As you can see my movie is longer(99 minutes), so your movie will have a higher bitrate.

Once your file is done you can than cut the file in two using the MPEG Tools. I usually use Boilsoft AVI-MPEG-ASF-WMV Splitter, as it's a little easier to use.

[dcapp1]

I am using 2 discs. Maybe its just the source. I will say this. When I preview the encoded movie in Windows Media Player I us a 200% zoom because I read somewhere that thats pretty close to what it would look like on a TV screen. Is this wrong because on the tv it looks way grainier thn on the computer.

[Tommyknocker]

I would say go ahead and burn an SVCD to a CD-RW, and see what the finished product looks like on a TV.

[teegee420]

So you did put it on 2 discs, eh? In your opinion does it look fine when played in Media Player? Have you tried playing other SVCD's on your stand alone DVD player, and if so how did they look in comparison? I'm thinking the problem might be with your DVD player.

[dcapp1]

Like I said maybe it is just the source because other movies I burn to svcd look fine. Would the graininess lessen if I use a noise filter or the soften block noise in TMPGEnc, and if so what should I set it at? Thanks

[teegee420]

Bottom line, your svcd is only going to look as good as your source. Therefore it's not going to look any better than your AVI. I would only use the noise reduction filter if your AVI had visible noise that isn't too bad. I try and stay away from TMPGenc's noise filter because of the huge increase in encoding time. If you don't mind the wait, go for it. Play with the settings and go by the preview displayed for how much to use.

[dcapp1]

I was just wondering if when you load your video into TMPGEnc it automatically loads the settings for that video because I noticed that when I loaded my video it says non-interlaced, and the encode mode is also non-interlace. I read somewhere that the best video should always be interlaced because your tv is interlaced.When I encode should I interlace the video or should I leave it as is. Thanks

[chazzie]

Hm, 1,5 his quite a long time for only 1 disc as SVCD....