TMPEG version A - quality

I have been using TMPEG version A for over a year now. I keep trying new versions of the same program (i.e B, C, D, E, 2, 2.5) but the quality of the SVCDs I make seems to be getting worse and worse with the new versions. Always if done with version A the quality is great. Templates being used don't seem to make a difference. I do notice the file sizes seem to be getting smaller with new versions of TMPEG as well. Personally I much prefer quality to small size. Has anyone noticed the same thing? Anyone have any ideas on a solution or the cause of my problem?

[Igot2blues]

with version 2.51 try the template CQ and set the quality to 100, it seems to give the better quality (without any filter) for me.
What's your result?

[SatStorm]

Using the tmpgenc 2.51 with the templates of tmpgenc plus 2.51, gives me amazing quality. The best ever!
Using tmpgencplus 2.51 with the same templates and the new 2pass vbr fuction, creates even more good quality! And it is a slighty faster than the simply version...
As always, this is my opinion and other forum members may have other conclusions with their tests...

[Truman]

SatStorm, did you notice a difference between old and new VBR 2pass mode? I promise I will test it myself soon , I just hoping you figured it out alreaddy.
While answering posts I have to test a lot, so my own "to do" list becomes bigger and bigger

[SatStorm]

Hi Truman,
well yes, there is a difference. Also, the plus version is faster... I learned from others, that speed improves even more, when you have a valid serial to unlock the program
The quality really improved in all maters. The problem is that the tricks we use to do for better quality with the older versions, now don't work.
For example, "soften block noise" is useless! Short Gops like IBPB ain't produce better files than IBBPBBPBBPBB as it used to. On standard IBBPBBPBBPBBPBBPBB the quality is amazing on analysis/colors but there still many blocks... The new 2PASS vbr, expecially here shows the difference with the old one (on standard SVCD template that is...)
As you see, playing with gops is my hobby those days...

Testing is getting a lot of time! I DO know that!!!

I have one idea, maybe it helps vcdhelp.com in general...
Is there a way VCDhelp became an official TMPGenc Plus Distributer for Europe?
I think Tsunami and pegasus would love the idea...

[Igot2blues]

Hoops...Pegasys and not Pegasus, you like the Panasonic encoder?
Satstorm,
Did you notice that starting with 2.51 the bitrate curve is very different than older version (analyze with the bitrate viewer)!
I made a series of tests with the following formats (all standard 2.51+ templates, i only change the quality to 100): CBR,CQ,CQ_VBR,VBR_1950,VBR_1600 and VBR_1020 (the new standard (352X576) They are all working great on my Pioneer DV-444 without any sound problem as in older versions (audio video multiplexing is working now in VBR mode), the VBR_750 did not play correctly(wrong image ratio).
When i have time i will test the 2.51+ to see the differences you noticed.

[SatStorm]

Ha ha ha ha
Yes, panasonic used to be my favorite vcd program, the ancient times I use to create vcd

The new format, 352 X 576, is not that new... It is CVD, china's Svcd...
I use my version of this program about half a year now! And guess what... I found that exist and it totaly legal on this same forum
352 X 576 is also the DVD's D2 resolution... Totally legal for DVD-video too!
There is an issue we must solve before start useing it. See my other post "for betatesters......" Maybe there is an uncompatibility between the CVD and DVD-D2... We don't want that for our media, want we?

Test and inform us!
Soon, I 'll also post my conclusions, as I did with 2.50...

[Truman]

It looks very promising. Thanks so far guys.

[zzyzzx]

I'm also still using a really old version of TMPEGnc (I think same version as per the original post). But I'm making mostly VCD's and XVCD's. Will I benefit fom usign a newer version of TMPEGnc?

[SatStorm]

No, I don't think so...
Maybe speed a bit....

[memolicious]

This is probably a really stupid question....

but I was wondering where I can download an earlier version of tmpgenc? ie a, b, c, etc.? I ask because a problem I am having is cancelling an operation in 2.0 and 2.51, and I heard in previous versions it continues despite the glitch.

I appreciate it, thanks.

[kitty]

http://www.granavenida.com/vcdspain/down/tmpgenc.htm

RTFM (tools, on left)

[johncc35]

well yes, there is a difference. Also, the plus version is faster... I learned from others, that speed improves even more, when you have a valid serial to unlock the program

I don't think so Satstorm.
I try both with same quality and same encode time, the speed don't improves more as you mention above.
If you don't believed me, email me, I will send you my sample to you for testing both program.
Johncc35. 8) [/code]

[Mars-L]

No way Kitty, those "easy" links don't work anymore.
It's pretty tough to get the older versions. The best way is using an old plain FTPSearch.
Costed me 2 days to find all versions. (Even found a 1.1 version back then, but lost it in the meantime) About 2 months ago I was able to find them all back, but now it's getting harder since TMPGenc went commercial.

[SatStorm]

You have a valid serial ? Send me with an email then! I promise I'll buy the product if I find a way in my country!

Well, I hope to your tests you didn't use the same settings with the older versions. When I first use settings from templates I made for 2.02, the results was awfull. But, after a couple of tests (with DVB source), I "discover" that the new tmpgenc 2.51 encodes in a totaly different way and all the "tricks" I use to do, don't work any more.
For example, don't use the "soft block noise" feature. It mess up the encoding!. But try to use the sharp filter on small bitrates/resolutions! Whow!!!!
Let also say that my tests are ONLY for Mpeg 2. I encode to mpeg2, PAL interlace output on both D4 and D2 resolutions.
You don't have to send me any tests of yours, I believe you. As I said before, in my eyes the files produced with tmpgenc 251 are much better the earlier versions. Expecially for low resolution/bitrate mpeg 2!
I also like to remind you, not to judge mpeg 2 interlace output on monitors. Only on TV screens. The bigger, the better!
About the how fast is the new tmpgenc, don't expect THE improvement. We talking about a few min. For example, a film used to be encoded with 2 pass vbr in 8 hours, now takes about 7.45 with ver 2.51... It is faster, but not that faster...
Also, as I said, I can't test the true speed of 2.51 plus... I don't have a serial! Some people say that the speed increase if you unlock the program. I didn't say I confirm this!

Anyway, test and judge yourself. Don't read my posts! I am drunk and I see things! OK???

[Truman]

I did few tests with TMPG 2.51 Plus (no serial) and I used a slight modified SVCD PAL MPEG-2 352x576 VBR 1020 template. Well, the quality suck (as expected), but there is a huge difference between the old and new 2pass mode. I was quite impressed, got decent quality with the new 2pass at that low bitrate. Due to the long GOP length and due to the low bitrate, the picture get blocky especially at low (no) motion scenes. If there is no motion, the blocks get more and more visible. However, much better results than encoded in 2pass (old) mode. I used the same source (dvd frameserved with Avisynth, bicubic resize and temporal smoother[2,3]) and the same settings.
2pass new: avg bitrate 987 kbps, avg quantisation level 3.27
2pass old: avg bitrate 996 kbps, avg quantisation level 7.05

I compared even to CCE 2.5 (same bitrate but GOP 15 and Angel's 1CD matrix, VBR3pass). The cce encoded MPEG looked worse, but maybe the the bitrate range was set to high (300-2520).

I did not noticed a speed difference between the VBR modes.

[SatStorm]

At last, a few tests from others!!!!!
Yes, I saw that problem with the new HUGE gop! (That also means no right split, right?)
If you increase the bitrate to average 1700, you get equal quality with CCE on same bitrate. That what I was talking about! (4000$ less for me, he he he). And things gonna get better soon!
The new 2 Pass VBR fuction is very promising.
Personally, in the far future, if I can put 4 hours of video on a 4.7 DVD-R with a DVD-D2 resolution in a great (svhs like) quality, I'll be very pleased! As I said, I am a mainstream type...
Thanks Truman!

[nike]

Hi Truman,
well yes, there is a difference. Also, the plus version is faster... I learned from others, that speed improves even more, when you have a valid serial to unlock the program
The quality really improved in all maters. The problem is that the tricks we use to do for better quality with the older versions, now don't work.

How much faster is the encoding if I register the PLUS version by purchasing it?? At present I'm encoding a 3.8Gig DV PAL file to SVCD CBR Highest Quality with a couple of filters (Win XP, 1.2 Athlon, 384M DDR RAM, 7200 ATA100 30G HDD) in about 8 hours.

Any other tips on using TMPG??

Thanks