Lets play "best VCD"...Hhheeerree we goooo...

[Bull]

Okay this is the second time I post this but I know there is more people, then Mr. Walker, then can give it a try, so come on give it your best shot 8)

This is my settings:

Card:
Pinnacle PCTV Pro

Capture :
Size: 352x288 (PAL) and 24 bit RGB
Codec: PICVideo MJPEG (at 20)

TMPGEnc :
Template: VideoCD(PAL)
Motion search precision: High Quality (Very slow)
No Filters


Now how do we improve this?

[malducci]

First - capture at 352x480 or 480x480 with no compression and good coloer spacing

second - deinterlace with virtualDub using the "best" setting, but do not apply any other filters or resize.

third - Use Panasonic Mpeg1 encoder ( it will resize the video for you ), set the video filter to "weakest"

Result, one great looking VCD.

[Mr Walker]

As you are talking about pal I'd say you should capture at 704*576 or 352*576 depending on how much discspace you got. Also try to reduce the quality to 19 for more capturetime.

I got a Pinnacle PCTV and use this settings to capture in Virtualdub. Although I can't get a good capture at RGB24 so I use RGB16. If you're planning to view the vcd's at a TV i strongly suggest the use of filters, (especially if there is any subtitles) as the picture is much sharper on a monitor. And what look's good there can be a big blure on the TV.

Try this(remember to use the filters in this order as that affect the quality.)

*Open the file in VIrtual Dub
*Apply Filters:
Deinterlace "Blend field together"
Sharpen (how much depends on the source, usually i use max)
Dynamic noise reduction 2,1 (downloaded from a link at virtual dub homepage, try some different settings)
Resize to 352*288/240 PAL/NTSC Precise Bicubic
*Frameserv to TMPGEnc
*Use standard VCD and set motion search precision to high or higest quality
*Encode

If your capture is letterboxed in some way, crop the borders before frameserving to TMPGEnc. Set source aspect ratio to 1:1 and video arrange method to fullscreen(keep aspect ratio). This way you get new borders wich really is black and not grey

Hope this is to any help