Totally feedup with trying to make VCD's!

[Nina]

I am a real idiot when it comes to making VCD'S and at the verge of giving up.
Here is my problem. I am trying to make VCD's with music videos. I have downloaded several music videos from Kazaz which appear to look good while watching on the computer. When it comes to actually burning these MPEG1 files on to a CD using CD Maker Pro. 2000 - I am getting an error message. According to the software manufacturer, they told me that I need to ensure that the files are all in a certain format that is -
"Video Bitrate 1,150,000 (1150kbs), Sampling Bitrate 44,100 (44.1 khz) and an Audio Bitrate 224,000 (224 kbs)"
They also told me that most files on Kazaz are not in the proper format and that I need to download a 3rd party software which can be found on this site. WHAT IS THIS SOFTWARE?
Also, where can I get a copy of Nero Burning Rom 5.5 - a FREE one that is?
Any help is greatly appreciated. Is there anyone who is an expert at VCD's whom I can e-mail for help? I am so frustrated...

[Anonymous65]

Go to the Tools section on this site and download Tmpgenc that will encode your video into compliant VCD video files that can be burned with Nero. VCD files are mpeg files that conform to a strict standard.

[gonz0]

First, download a program called MPEGProperties (look in the Tools section). That will tell you what kind of MPEG you have. If the properties are different then those you listed, you don't have a standard VCD mpeg and you'll need to convert it into one. So follow a guide for "TMPGEnc" - look in the HOW TO CONVERT section. Once your MPEG is in the right format, you have to burn it as a VCD. Look at the guides under HOW TO AUTHOR. I think you can get a fully functional demo copy of Nero, but there is no legal full version that's free. There are plenty of good freeware programs. I personally use VCDEasy.

Creating VCDs is difficult the first time you try it, and it isn't for everyone, but this website is excellent. I created my first VCD about a month and a half ago, and wouldn't consider myself an expert, but I've been happy with the results. I learned what I needed (and continue to learn) by reading the guides listed here and searching the forums for more information.

And CD-RW's are a must for testing your VCDs because much of the learning is trial and error. Plus, there's no need to do your testing on a full mpeg, so follow a guide for "How to Cut/Join with TMPGEnc" to create a smaller MPEG. Working with a smaller mpeg is much faster when it comes to burning, encoding (i.e. converting), etc. Once you have the process worked out, you're ready to do the full video.

[MikeV]

I had CD Maker Pro 2000 Every VCD came out blocky and some had no sound. I tried everything in the guides to the left, nothing fixed the problem. Even changed hard drives and motherboard to try to fix the problem Finally I downloaded the newest Nero ROM software and tried it, burned the same files that were very blocky before and after Nero they were almost perfect. So go out to www.nero.com, download the newest version, try it, if you like it open your wallet and spend the $49.00 to get the serial number on-line and start enjoying almost perfect recordings everytime. I did and I think it was worth it.

Also if you change recorders(to a different brand) with CD Maker Pro or any of the other recorder software that comes with the drive, you will not be able to use your old software with the new drive. With the purchased Nero software it is not brand specific.

[fantomlord]

I am getting an error message. According to the software manufacturer, they told me that I need to ensure that the files are all in a certain format that is -
"Video Bitrate 1,150,000 (1150kbs), Sampling Bitrate 44,100 (44.1 khz) and an Audio Bitrate 224,000 (224 kbs)"
They also told me that most files on Kazaz are not in the proper format and that I need to download a 3rd party software which can be found on this site. WHAT IS THIS SOFTWARE?
Also, where can I get a copy of Nero Burning Rom 5.5 - a FREE one that is?

try using Nero 5.5.x, and turn off "create standard compliant CD"
are you planning to play the disc on a standalone DVD player?
check the compatibility lists on this site...if your player is compatible with XVCD, then you won't need to worry about if they adhere to the standards