Question about audio conversion to put VCDs on DVD

[jimdagys]

I have a TV card that puts out MPEG2 at 48kbps audio. I want to convert this to VCD format (mpeg1, 1150kbps, 352x288) using TMPGEnc.4.0.XPress and then put the whole thing on DVD using Gui For DVDAuthor. My question is this: Since Gui For DVDAuthor requires audio at 48kbps, should I just keep the audio at 48kbps (from TV card) , or should I first convert the audio to the VCD standard of 44.1kbps (along with mpeg1, 1150kbps, 352x288) and then convert the audio back to 48kbps (before using Gui For DVDAuthor)?

[guns1inger]

I guess I would ask why bother converting to VCD format ?

The DVD specification allows for mpeg-2 at VCD resolutions, but allows for higher bitrates that mpeg-1 if necessary. You could still use VCD resolution and damagingly low bitrates to squeeze extra hours onto a disc without actually going through a VCD conversion. You may find you can cap directly at the bitrates and resolution you need and avoid the extra encoding.

[jimdagys]

I need mpeg1 so that the disk will play on computers that do not have mpeg2 codec installed. Installing the mpeg2 codec is beyond some users.

[jman98]

Don't convert the audio. Just record it at 48 KHz to begin with. Going from 48 to 44.1 to 48 KHz is a great way to make it sound bad.

[jimdagys]

Got it, thanks for the reply.

[highvolumeJP]

The DVD specifications also support MPEG-1 files, and supports VCD resolution - I use TMPGDVD Author 3, simply import the DAT files from your MPEGAV on your VCD, don't have it render, leave it set at MPEG-1 352x240, don't touch the bitrate, it's pointless to re-encode anything, it will simply author your VCD to a DVD playable on your standalone DVD Player - With the software all you do is set the audio to Dolby AC3 224, 48Khz and you'Re set, the software will transcode the audio and leave the video intact. I've gotten very decent transfers this way.