Inerlace versus Progressive

[jyeh74]

I am using TMPGEnc 3.0 XPress to make dvd compliant dvdrs out of vcds. It asks me if I want to code my video mode as interlace or progressive...even after reading it and doing research I am not sure what it means in english. the files I use are relatively vcd quality. What should I choose? Gonna run it on a dvd player in car or tv.

Also, I can use this software to convert all my vcd files on a dvd-r. Can I also mix and match dvd clips with the vcds all into a dvd-r?

Thanks!

[gadgetguy]

Don't re-encode them. VCD is a DVD compliant format, all you need to do is convert the audio from 44.1 mHz to 48 mHz.

[jyeh74]

for some reason, my car dvd player only plays dvds. If I stick in a vcd, it will not read it. But after using this program to convert to a dvd complaint and then using TDA to author it, it will work....but whats the diff bt progressive and interlace. I dont think I can notice the difference

[gadgetguy]

Just pull the VCDs into TDA as is. TDA will convert the audio for you and they should play fine without having to re-encode the video.

(Edit: Ok, that might be too simplistic as you may have to convert from VCD to MPG1 to pull it into TDA, but you don't have to re-encode.)

Progressive vs. Interlaced really doesn't apply to your situation, but the short answer would be to choose Progressive. I've never heard of VCD being interlaced (or even if it's possible/allowed).

Progressive footage is like film in that each frame has all of the information from a single moment in time that the frame was taken.

A single frame of Interlaced footage is comprised of 2 fields (or half frames) taken from 2 successive moments in time.

For more information check the Glossary.

[jyeh74]

I have to convert the vcd file (AVI) to mp1.. don't I have to use TMPGEnc 3.0 to do that for me? what happens is my mpg/avi files are typically anywhere from 30 mb to 60 mbs large. When I use the program above, it makes it 100mbs. I think it does that to recode to a bigger dvd compliant file. Not sure if this larger file is the MP1 version that you are talking about.

I then use TDA to author it and pick and choose which ones I have in order. That's how other members have told me to do. Am I doing it all wrong?

Based on what other members have told me to do, if what gadgetguy is saying is true, then all I have to do is use TDA? I dont have to use TMPGEnc first?

Please clarify. thanks

[psx_pirate]

if your files are mpg1 then you just need to import them into TDA ... AVI files will have to be re-encoded with TMPGenc3.0

[gadgetguy]

OK, I see we have confusion of terminology. VCD is a video standard that has specific resolution, framerates, etc. AVI is a container that can hold any number of video/audio standards (including, but not limited to VCD). If what you have is XviD/Divx files then what I've told you does not apply. If they are truly VCD then you don't need to re-encode. You have now mentioned that you have AVI files. Do you know what format is contained in them?

[jyeh74]

sorry, I just know that I am using some mpgs, some avi's and some I rip right out of vcds( I think DATs)

[jyeh74]

Ok, lets say I have the following scenario. I am trying to make a dvd-r consisting of the following

50 files, 10 of which are dvd quality (from a dvd) and 40 are mpgs.
Total length is 3 hrs 49 mins 10 sec. When I put it in bitrate calculator it says to use 2500 bitrate. That is ok for the 40 mpgs since I think vcd quality is around 2000 birate. But for the 10 dvd files, will they look horrible now that I am using 2500 bitrate for the whole thing?

[gadgetguy]

Over on the left there is a section called What Is. You need to read through What Is DVD and What Is VCD and What Is SVCD. Saying a file is mpg doesn't tell us if it DVD compliant or not, but for your example we'll assume that they are mpgs from VCD, so yes you could use those as-is and they would only be using a bitrate of 1150. Subtract the VCD durations from the total and re do your bitrate calculation using the remaining time and remaining target size. This should raise the recommended bitrate, but it may still not be enough to accept the DVD rips as-is. So you would have to resize/re-encode to get them to fit.
But definately, full DVD resoultion (720x480) looks terrible as 2500bps mpg.

[jyeh74]

The vcds are 352 x 240. So why is it that when I go to the second step "Set Output" it asks me under "Image Resolution" what to set:

720 x 480
704 x 408
352 x 480
352 x 240

When I try different pixels above, it doesnt change the overall capacity. So technically, it doesnt matter what one I pick right, since my mpgs are only 352 x 240 anyways.

[gadgetguy]

It matters alot for quality of the viewed picture. Capacity is solely a function of bitrate. Specified time times specified bitrate equals filesize. Bitrate will also determine basic quality at a given resolution. A 720x480 resolution will look awful at 2500bps, but a 352x240 resolution at the same bitrate will look quite good. There is a website that explains this quite well.
Click here
I'm not sure what "second step" you're referring to, but if the source is 352x240 then that's what you want to select, since resizing up usually results in quality down.

[jimmalenko]

The vcds are 352 x 240. So why is it that when I go to the second step "Set Output" it asks me under "Image Resolution" what to set:

720 x 480
704 x 408
352 x 480
352 x 240

When I try different pixels above, it doesnt change the overall capacity. So technically, it doesnt matter what one I pick right, since my mpgs are only 352 x 240 anyways.

It does matter, in terms of quality. If the capacity does not change, then it means that it will use the same bitrate, which may be sufficient for Half or Quarter D1 but will more than likely be totally unsuitable for Full D1.

What everyone has been saying is that if you have VCD-compliant MPEG1, then you do not need to re-encode the video at all. All you need to do is upsample the audio to 48KHz (which TMPGEnc DVD Author will do automatically).

[jyeh74]

jim, thanks for the clarification on the vcds.

gadgetguy, you're saying that because my vcds are around 352x240, if I select 720 x 480, it will look horrible. What if it were vice versa? If I have a 720 x 480 and I select 352 x 240, it will also look horrible.

It shouldn't even let me select a 720 x 480 since it should know that my files cannot handle that resolution.

[jimmalenko]

It shouldn't even let me select a 720 x 480 since it should know that my files cannot handle that resolution.

errr no. It's a dedicated encoder and it will do whatever you tell it to do.


Pardon the obscure reference, but wouldn't you prefer holding your own johnson at a urinal and making your own "decisions" than someone or something else holding it for you, telling you when to go and when to stop, how many shakes you can have, and so on ?

Exactly

[jyeh74]

jim, either way, if I select up when its down, it will look bad. If I have high resolution and select down, it will look bad. Sometimes I have a mixture of high resolutions and low resolutions. I dont really know what resolution to select for "image resolution" since it is for the whole disc, rather than each file individually. There doesnt seem to be an option that lets u pick which one per file.

This option is in "Set Output" of TMPGEnc 3.0 xpress which is right after you pick all your files and right before you encode.

[jimmalenko]

jim, either way, if I select up when its down, it will look bad. If I have high resolution and select down, it will look bad.

Well, not really actually. It will look bad when compared to the original, but when compared to similar DL-ed Divx/Xvid clips of small frame size that you convert to VCD, it will look quite good in comparison.

Sometimes I have a mixture of high resolutions and low resolutions. I dont really know what resolution to select for "image resolution" since it is for the whole disc, rather than each file individually. There doesnt seem to be an option that lets u pick which one per file.

You can mix and match resolutions, provided they're on different tracks.

[gadgetguy]

If the videos are VCD, do not use TMPGEnc on them. The video is already DVD compliant and TDA will convert the audio for you.

If the video is ripped from a DVD, do not use TMPGEnc. They are already compliant and TDA will accept them as-is.

If the video is Divx/XviD or non-compliant mpg then you will have to convert/resize/encode to become DVD compliant. What to convert to will depend on your quality/quantity goals, and will be different depending on the source.

Then you can use TDA and add as many as a disk will hold. If there are differences in the resolutions and/or audio types then use different tracks.

If you feel that you need to change a DVD compliant file to be able to fit more on a disk, then treat it as if it were a non-compliant mpg and determine what changes you need to make to fit your goals.