VCD vs sVCD

[unstuck2]

Hi all,
I decided to try the "standard" sVCD format (template: SuperVideoCD(NTSC).mcf) The encoding took twice as long, the file was twice as big, the picture quality was twice as good! However, I got a nasty "shake" whenever the movement in the picture got anything other than slow moving subject. Does this make sense? Has anyone else seen it? Can I correct it?
BTW, my only point of reference is the VCD generated by the plain VideoCD(NTSC).mcf template
Thanks
(This is fun!)

[Vejita-sama]

To be honest I can't see that big a difference between VCD and SVHS (from a good source file). But try turning 'detect scence changes' to off. And set motion search accuracy to high (or even highest).

Also if you use 2pass VBR and up the ave bitrate (use a bitrate calculator to deterime) you can get even better results.

[poopyhead]

don't set motion search accuracy to highest...there's no noticeable difference between high and highest, and it can add at least 8 hours to your encoding time

[digvid]

Could it be possible that you have the field order wrong in the "Advanced" tab? I have seen videos encoded where the field order is wrong and it looks somewhat okay when things are moving slowly, then it jumps or stutters when there is rapid motion. Just a thought. You may already know this, so ignore me if you do but here is how to test which field order is correct. Note: I am sure this is posted somewhere in the guides on this section. On the Advanced tab, set the field order to "Bottom field first." Check the "Deinterlace" box and double-click on "Deinterlace." In the combo box, choose "Even-Odd Field (field)." Then drag the slider to the middle of the movie. Click the right arrow on the slider and watch the movie progress slowly. If it seems to stutter or back up on itself, then the field order should be "Top field first." If it advances steadily (albeit slowly) then the field order is "Bottom field first." Cancel out of the deinterlace dialogs and make sure deinterlace is unchecked in the Advanced settings.

- digvid

[ktnwin]

digvid is right. I got the same problem before and after selecting the correct field order in the Advanced tab, my SVCD looks really good (picture quality and smooth motion).
The quality of SVCD is much much better than VCD. I am talking about a very clean AVI source from Digital camcorder. I tested a 3 min clips in VCD, XVCD (bit rate 2500), SVCD (1100 min and 2500 max). Results are very noticeable, quality from low to high: VCD, XVCD, SVCD.

[unstuck2]

digvid, I did exactly as you suggested and on pressing the right arrow on the slider the movie progressed slowly without stutter or backing up on itself.
So I guess the field order is correct "Bottom field first."
Perhaps the fix will be setting motion search accuracy to high. Must I turn 'detect scence changes' to off as well?
(the SVCD looks so much better than the VCD!)