KVCD??:

[jamiemark]

Hey,
I have a video file that is labelled as "KVCD". Is this a diffrent form of VCD file, if so, what's the easiest way to burn to a cd??
Thanks in advance,
Jamie

[redwudz]

From our 'Glossary':

KVCD
KVCD is a modification to the standard MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 GOP structure and Quantization Matrix. It allows you to put more than 120 minutes of video on a single 80 minute CD-R/CD-RW. The KVCDx3 template creates 528x480 (NTSC) and 528x576 (PAL) MPEG-1 variable bit rate video, from 64Kbps to 3,000Kbps. One of the other templates uses 352x240 (NTSC) or 352x288 (PAL), allowing up to ~360 minutes on a single 80 minute CD-R. You must burn the KVCD MPEG files as non-standard VCD or non-standard SVCD (depends on your player) with Nero or VCDEasy. The KDVD version of KVCD allows up to 6 hours Full D-1 720x480 on one DVD, or about 10 hours at Half D-1 352x480. Because KVCD and KDVD are not recognized "formats", the MPEG files created may or may not playback in your standalone DVD player. More info at kvcd.org

[offline]

..and for the short description:

crap

[stantheman1976]

The MPEG files should burn just like any other (S)VCD files. When you burn the files(s) there should be an option to turn off standard (S)VCD compliance. Make sure that option is chosen. You have a 50/50 chance on whether they play or not. If you have one of those players that usually reads anything you throw at it you'll probably be ok. I used to have an Apex player that would read anything.

It's an interesting format. Baiscally it reduces the frame rate to get more information in the same amount of space and uses variable bit rates. The results are good sometimes if you don't try to squeeze TOO much on a disc. I wouldn't recommend the format for anything other than perosonal use. I definitely wouldn't disctribute it to others unless they know exactly what to do with it and understood what they were getting.

[jman98]

Can't really argue with the advice provided, but I did want to point out that some KVCD supporters have really gone off the deep end in their praise for the format and most certainly does NOT look anything close to DVD quality, no matter how many of them claim so. Divx is really a better choice for getting (relatively) high quality video on a single CD-R.

[adam]

Just a note stantheman1976, KVCDs and the like don't use a lower than standard framerate. The main component of the KVCD templates are the custom GOP matrix which is optimized for low bitrate encoding. What makes them non-standard is the non-compliant resolution and the fact that it uses mpeg1 and VBR bitrate encoding.

[lordsmurf]

..and for the short description:

crap

some KVCD supporters have really gone off the deep end in their praise for the format and most certainly does NOT look anything close to DVD quality, no matter how many of them claim so. Divx is really a better choice for getting (relatively) high quality video on a single CD-R.

In a nutshell.

Although I'd say a proper XVID looks better than DIVX. Never been a DIVX fan.
In fact, the new AVC is pretty nice too, among the 3 choices.

[Oscar wallace]

I made a lot of SKVCDs and I still watch them, the quality can be very good if you know what your doing, now though the price of blank DVDs and cheap burners has made the making of them redundant.

Try Burning your KVCD with VCDEASY.

[rds_correia]

now though the price of blank DVDs and cheap burners has made the making of them redundant.

Yup. I agree buddy.
I'm also a KVCD supporter, but the reality is that most of us at kvcd.net are now doing KDVD's, for the same reason you just mentioned.
Actually it's been like a year since I did a KVCD, one CD-R encode
But the techniques we learned there have carried over and are being now applied to KDVD's. And there are no compatibility issues with KDVD's, as opposed to KVCD's

Cheers!