Xvid to DVD Conversion Question

[csmedsrc]

Video: Xvid 1.0.3
Audio: Lame VBR 128
Frame Rate: 23.976
Resolution: 640 x 288
Encoders: Mainconcept, CCE, Canopus, Tmpgenc (I've been playing around with a bunch of different ones)

I am trying to convert this video file to fit on a standard single layer DVD+-R. I am confused as to what the frame rate should be. Should it be 23.976 or 29.97? I know 29.97 is standard for NTSC but will 23.976 play on my standalone player (Phillips DVP 642)?

I am also completely confused by the pulldown settings. I've been looking through the forum and the guides but still don't really understand what this means. I don't know which one to use and I know that it depends on which frame rate I select.

Also should I select 16:9 for the aspect ratio or something else?

About the only thing I'm really sure on is how to use the bitrate calculator to make sure it will fit on one disc. Could someone please help me with the other settings? If you want you can give examples from your encoder of choice as it is quite easy to apply them to other encoders as well.

Thanks

[ChrissyBoy]

If you want to do it manually you need the following:

Framerate: 23.976 WITH 3:2 pulldown or 29.97 - 23.976 on its own is not ok as far as the dvd spec is concerned.

AR: You will need to see DJRumpy's guide for the definative AR details: Determining Aspect Ratios and Resolutions

SVCD2DVD will do that file with one click - producing a VIDEO_TS folder or burn your DVDR. Give the demo a go.

[canadateck]

Just wondering ,Why not just burn the XVID as-is,to play on the 642?

[csmedsrc]

I tried burning the Xvid as it was and it didn't play. This is the first one that I've ever had a problem with on the 642. I know there are all-in-one programs that would probably do the conversion for me but I really want to understand how all this stuff works.

As my aspect ratio is 2.222 it doesn't match any of the ones given in the guide. Do I just pick the one that is closest (2.20)? Regardless, how do I decide which resolution to use? He gives three of them under each aspect ratio.

[oldfart13]

Use the 4CC changer program to change the Xvid so it DOES play...

[csmedsrc]

I'm not sure what to change it to. I tried changing it to divx but I got a QPEL error when I tried to play it in my Phillips DVP 642. So is this xvid file just not supported by my dvd player? If so could someone help me with what aspect ratio it should be put in when converted to MPEG 2.

[ChrissyBoy]

720x384 with 48 border top & bottom

[canadateck]

Yeah QPEL is not supported by the 642.

[Gurm]

And NOW we see the other problem with XVID.

Just use Virtualdub to re-encode it to XVID without QPEL. I have to do this all the time, since my PS2's XVID/DIVX player is pretty limited as to what it will support.

[csmedsrc]

OK, I encoded it at 720 x 384 with a frametrate of 23.976 with 3:2 pulldown. However, when I try load it into tmpgenc DVD author it gives me a bunch of errors.

1. The Video resolution 720 x 384 cannot be used for a standard DVD

2. You cannot use 16:9 video aspect ratio for resolution 720 x 384

3. The video framerate 29.97 cannot be used with resolution 720 x 384

It won't even let me author the DVD using my newly encoded file. So should I use a different authoring program or reencode the video using different settings?

[canadateck]

720 x 384 is not DVD spec.n Try 720 x 480 or 352 x 480 .

[Gurm]

The resize for your video is 720x384, but the overall frame size must be x480.

[ChrissyBoy]

720x384 with 48 border top & bottom

48 border top & bottom

384 + 48 + 48 = 480

So you will be authoring a 720x480 mpg.

Make sure you use the 16:9 flag on the mpeg and the dvd (during authoring).

[csmedsrc]

Oh, I understand what you mean now by adding the border to the top and the bottome. I just assumed that the encoder would do that for me.

384 + 48 (top) + 48 (bottom) = 480

Now could you tell me how to add the border in mainconcpet encoder or CCE etc.?

[ChrissyBoy]

MC:

Load up your avi.
choose: DVD, PS or ES depending on your authoring tool, NTSC, Layer 2

Goto: Details: Crop & Scale:

enter 384 in the scale height (press tab to comit the change - sometimes it doesn't)

Click "OK"

Click Advanced: Change AR to 16:9

Click "OK" x2

Click Convert.

(Abort after a minute or so to check the result)

[csmedsrc]

Those are the exact settings that I used when I encoded it last time and Tmpgenc DVD author gave me the above error messages.

Do you mean that I should first set the resolution to 720 x 480 and then go into the scaling menu?

[ChrissyBoy]

With those settings you get an mpg 720x480.

[Halm]

Ok, I'm confused. Where do you get 384 as the height? 640 x 288 corresponds to 720 x 324....do the math. Am I missing something? Seems to me the correct settings would be to crop and scale to 324, giving you a 78 border top and bottom.

[Halm]

Chrissyboy...as long as you set the output in MC to DVD (NTSC) ...you will always get an MPG of 720 x 480...regardless of the seetings for the actual video that were set in Crop and Scale.

[csmedsrc]

I have the output set to MPEG 2 because that is the only way to do 23.976 with a 3:2 pulldown in mainconcept. So my question is what should the video settings be in the details menu and in the crop & scale menu? They can be different. If I am understanding correctly I should set the video to 720 x 480 under the details menu and to 576 x 384 (if you keep the proportions) in the crop & scale menu. Is that right?

[ChrissyBoy]

Do you mean that I should first set the resolution to 720 x 480 and then go into the scaling menu?

In my version of MC. If i choose NTSC DVD then 720 X 480 is set in stone. Can't be changed. If this is not the case for you then yes set up 480 first, then scale.

Halm: 384 comes from https://www.videohelp.com/guides.php?guideid=360#360



the source ar is 2.22 so 720x388 is in fact 384....

[ChrissyBoy]

Chrissyboy...as long as you set the output in MC to DVD (NTSC) ...you will always get an MPG of 720 x 480...regardless of the seetings for the actual video that were set in Crop and Scale.

indeed. That is what i am saying. you will always get the correct resolution, the scaling resolves the egghead effect.

[ChrissyBoy]

I have the output set to MPEG 2 because that is the only way to do 23.976 with a 3:2 pulldown in mainconcept. So my question is what should the video settings be in the details menu and in the crop & scale menu? They can be different. If I am understanding correctly I should set the video to 720 x 480 under the details menu and to 576 x 384 (if you keep the proportions) in the crop & scale menu. Is that right?

ok. override the video width & height to be 720x480. Then do all that was mentioned before.

and don't use keep proportions.

[ChrissyBoy]

giving:

[csmedsrc]

OK I understand now. I'll make sure I don't check the keep proportions box. I'll report back when its done, hopefully it will work this time.

[csmedsrc]

I am happy to say that I just burned the DVD and it plays perfectly. Thanks to everyone for their help. Due to the trouble I had in figuring out what resolution to use, I was wondering if anyone knows of a little program that will just tell you what resolution to use based on the aspect ratio of the source video. Such a program would be very helpful and probably save the people that are always answering questions on the forum some time.

[FulciLives]

I am happy to say that I just burned the DVD and it plays perfectly. Thanks to everyone for their help. Due to the trouble I had in figuring out what resolution to use, I was wondering if anyone knows of a little program that will just tell you what resolution to use based on the aspect ratio of the source video. Such a program would be very helpful and probably save the people that are always answering questions on the forum some time.

FitCD can help you to resize the DivX/Xvid to DVD format.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[monzie]

FITCD.......