Making a 1hr SVCD possible?

[Toaster]

I'm trying to make a SVCD with about 1 hour of programming on it... I can't seem to do it. I'm using a Hauppauge PVR250 card, I've tried several settings, but my files keep coming out to be around 1.2gb.

Is it possible to get 60mins (or close- 57 mins) onto a SVCD ?

[akrako1]

Try TMPGEnc Plus/Express to encode to SVCD. Import to whatever format your PVR250 likes, then load that file up in TMPEnc. Choose SVCD, then set the program to 'auto bitrate setting', and choose the type of media (74min or 80min cd-r). The program will automatically adjust the bitrate to fit. If it shows as over disc capacity when set to auto, it won't fit as a proper SVCD. You should then check out VCD or xSVCD or something similar.

[Bigdaddybrat]

I have been able to do it with WinDVD creator... I recieved a trial version
when I bought my putor and have done it for a few TV shows I had captured using my All-n-wonder card.

However, I have to check my settings for the capture and for the WinDVD creator.

I will repost later.

[canadateck]

If your going to use Tmpgenc Encoder, I use an Older one,there is a Template to get more then one hour on to a CDr.

[paulw]

There is a program called Canopus Procoder. rather expensive but using the CQ "Constant Quality" setting I have been able to get 1.5 hours on a SVCD from a DIVX orginal on tests.

http://www.canopus.us/US/products/ProCoder2/pm_procoder2.asp

And there is an Express version . Lots cheaper that can do about 1.25 hours with simalar settings.

http://www.canopus.us/US/products/ProCoder2/pm_procoder2.asp

I seem to remember that arelier versions of TMPGE also had a CQ setting as well..

[Abond]

If you want to capture with the PVR directly to SVCD you should firstly calculate the average bitrate you need in order to fit 1 hour on a CD (800 MB for (s)vcd). Then you set this average in your capture application. I don't know if it is possible (I have PVR250, but did not play with the settings very much - I am capturing at highest possible bitrate and resolution).

[yoda313]

Hello,

Don't forgot to drop your audio bitrate also - that will help save space. You must keep it at 44.1 khz for svcd but lower it to 224 or 192 instead of 384 you shouldn't notice much difference and save a little encoding space. And try dropping the bitrate as much as you can if you must squeeze it.

Kevin

[jman98]

I have a better suggestion for you. It's more time consuming, but will give better results. Capture at DVD bit rates, say 8000 Mbps. Don't use a SVCD template for this! Then re-encode your video down. You'll need an average bit rate of around maybe 1300 Mbps to get an hour of video. Use variable bit rate recording. I was given an incredible SVCD sample where a guy got the movie _Kill Bill_ onto one disc and it looked really good, much much better than it should have looked. He used a variable bit rate and used CCE to encode the video. He did something like 19 passes and set the maximum high bit rate to 2400 or so and the maximum low to 500 or so with an average around 900. If you record directly to SVCD at a bit rate low enough to fit about 60 minutes on one CD-R, it's not going to look much better than VCD.

You can create your own templates in Hauppage, but you have to click on something like "Save Config File" to save them. None of the default templates will do you much good and if you're getting 1.2 GB files for 60 minutes, you're recording at DVD settings. I would also recommend reducing the audio bit rate to 160 or 128 to save space.

Procoder is supposed to be very good, but it costs a fortune. If you search, you may be able to find (cough! cough!) "evaluation" versions of CCE (Cinema Craft Encoder) that you can use.

Finally, you could just make a VCD or if you want to use a bit rate of about 1300 make a XVCD.

[mats.hogberg]

Why not try CVD? Then you can author as SVCD or DVD using the same source mpg. Lower audio bit rate to 128 kbps, and you can set video at 1600 (and you can use 48 kHz audio for SVCD - never seen a SVCD player choke on that, and it makes the mpg (if CVD res) 100% DVD compatible) and fit 1 hour on a 80 min CD authored as SVCD.

/Mats

[Toaster]

I wanted to be able to capture the video using WinTV2000 (the software that came with my PVR250) and not have to re-author or re-encode anything..

I wanted more of a 1 step process - if thats possible.

[Supreme2k]

It's impossible to make it a 1-step process, since you have to capture, then burn.

[jimmalenko]

You should be able to capture straight to the appropriate bitrates with your PVR250, but then you're relying on it being good at sticking to the bitrates you set. I'm with all those that say capture at the best possible settings you can, then re-encode. TMPGEnc has always been excellent for me at hitting target bitrates.

[mats.hogberg]

In fact, so is PVR250. Even if I'd think capturing at max, then reencoding to correct size would give you the best end result qualitywise, it somehow takes the edge out of realtime mpeg capturing. Given the source is broadcast TV, such quality demands seems a bit over the top.
Authoring is an inevitable step - if your player doesn't play raw mpegs.

/Mats