AVI to VCD

[rhfb]

I have a large AVI file that I need to compress to fit on once CD(Its about 900mb now). Its a widescreen video, and I'd like to keep it that way(I tryed to make it full screen and it wasn't pretty). The clip also has a .ssa subtitle file that I would like to either burn into the video, or select as an option when I'm playing the movie. I am trying to use Nero to burn the VCD, but I don't know how to compress the video to below 700mb so that it fits on the CD and add the subtitles. If someone could explain exactly how to do this? I tried adding the subtitles using virtualdub but all adding the subtitles did was cause the video to bloat to a 14gb file(I only have ~14.5gb of free space on my harddrive).

-Compress(Keep the widescreen aspect)
-Add subtitles
-Burn into a VCD


Thanks alot.

[mats.hogberg]

1) VCD is 4:3 only, so you have to letterbox your AVI to keep aspect ratio.
2) VCD doesn't support selectable subs, so they have to be encoded into the video.
3) The file size of the AVI is completely irrelevant. What counts is length in time. VCD format is 10 MB/minute, a regular 700 MB CD-R holds 80 min of VCD video.
4) You're correct in adding the subs with VirtualDub - that's the way to do it. But you shouldn't save out as a new AVI - you should frameserve to your encoder - I recommend TMPGEnc, considered one of the best mpeg1/VCD encoders available, and free for mpg1. Then use VCDEasy to author and burn.

/Mats

[rhfb]

so there is no further way to compress the video? I have cut the credits from it but its still 90 mins long. I wouldn't mind a little compression so I can fit it onto 1 cd.

[redwudz]

If you want it in VCD format, no you can't do it. Unless you get a 90 minute CD. VCD has a fixed bitrate.

[rhfb]

Mabey I'm getting confused. Is there any way to use any different format(like .avi or .mpg) but still be able to use it as a VCD?

If not then I guess I'm stuck burning it to 2 cds

[redwudz]

If you look to the left under 'What is' VCD you will see what the specs of that format are. It is limited to be compatible with the format.
Two discs are the usual solution if the video is too long.

SVCD is less compatible, and takes more space, but does have higher quality. Not as many players accept it, though. You would still likely need two discs for the average movie.

DVD is the better format, if you can use it. More bitrate, quality, time of video and good compatibility.

[rhfb]

I'd love to use DVD but I don't have a DVD burner in my laptop thanks for the replies though I guess it is 2 disks.

[GMaq]

Hi,
You could author it as an xVCD which is a VCD that doesn't conform to the official standard, For instance by lowering the video bitrate you could probably squeeze it on to 1 disc. The method listed in the previous post using VirtualDub and TMPGEnc could achieve this. About 99% of fairly recent standalone players that spec VCD will play xVCD's just fine as long as you keep the audio at 44.1khz and use constant bitrate for the video. however it's going to depend on how much homework you want to do.

[ZippyP.]

VCD - all on one disk: https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=84759&highlight=vcd+one+disk

[mats.hogberg]

so there is no further way to compress the video? I have cut the credits from it but its still 90 mins long. I wouldn't mind a little compression so I can fit it onto 1 cd.

Well, some (reliable sources) say that the VCD bitrate of 1150 kbps is a max bitrate, even if TMPGEnc seems to think it's the bitrate and won't allow you to change it. However, by loading the "unlock" template in TMPGEnc, you can encode to VCD specs mpg at a "lower-than-std" bitrate to make it fit one CD. Keep in mind that this will also result in a "lower-than-std" video - and VCD is pretty low Q by todays standard even at its best!

/Mats

[Shadowmistress]

I'd love to use DVD but I don't have a DVD burner in my laptop thanks for the replies though I guess it is 2 disks.

You can still make a dvd... it's just called a mini-dvd. In this case because your movie is longer than the 80 min that will fit on cd, you'd have to make an XDVD. Now here's the part where everybody yells at me....

If I were you I'd use the dvd template in tmpgenc but unlock it and set the resolution to 352x240 or whatever closely matches those numbers in widescreen format. Use a biterate calculator to find the biterate (leave about 25 mg for authoring space) and encode in vbr. Put it all on one disk and then use your favorite dvd authoring software (I personally recommend dvdlab if you want to get fancy) and burn your cd. As long as it's under the 800 mb capacity, it will work fine on most players (except the older more expensive models).

<me, ducks and runs away before the tomatos start getting thrown>

[mats.hogberg]

As long as it's under the 800 mb capacity, it will work fine on most players (except the older more expensive models).

If things where that easy! First, as DVD is written in another mode than VCD, you're limited to the regular data capacity of the CD - usually 700 MB, as opposed to VCD that can use 800 MB on a 700 MB disc. So you have to lower your bitrate even further.
Second, IMO, the mini-DVD compatibility is not that good in my experience. My older player actually picked a DVD format CD as a DVD, but my latest sees it as a data disc (allowing me to play the VOBs as video files).

/Mats