TMPGEnc Output: Interlaced or Non-Interlaced ??

[rhw]

I have captured footage from my MiniDV Camcorder (at full DV resolution) and saved as an AVI file (also full DV resolution 720 x480), and
the quality of the AVI file is very good.

It is my understanding that this footage that I have saved as an AVI file is "Interlaced" since I do not have a "sports mode" or "progressive" setting on my camcorder.

My final goal is to create an SVCD or XSVCD for viewing on my TV. I also understand from other posts and help articles, that my TV has an "Interlaced" display.

My question is this, "Assuming no other filters are used (such as de-interlace) when encoding this AVI file with TMPGEnc Plus, should I set the "output" mode in TMPGE to "non-interlaced" or "interlaced" to get the best quality picutre??

The AVI file I am encoding is a local stock car race with lots of rapid motion that I captured with the MiniDV Camcorder.

I have read and re-read all I can find about interlacing, but am still confused on this subject.

[tacosalad]

Given your source and your goal, the best method is (happily) quite simple: take your interlaced source, keep it interlaced, and record an interlaced SVCD. (Standard SVCD is interlaced.) Your TV should play the SVCD just as smoothly as it would from the camcorder.

1. Don't worry how it looks when you preview it on your computer. Just try making a sample SVCD and see how it looks on your TV.

2. Do record SVCD or DVD, if you can. Don't record VCD, as it will make the action extra jittery. (You can make one if you want to see this.)

3. (Unlikely) If the recorded SVCD or DVD exhibits horrible, rapid-shaking around action, don't panic. Change the "field order" or "field dominance" setting in your mpeg encoder and try again. (Most newer encoders auto-detect this, but occasionally they get it wrong.)

And, once again, just try it! Get some inexpensive CD-R's so you'll feel free to make a few throwaway "test" discs. (Or use CD-RW if your player supports it.) Your source (miniDV) and target (SVCD) are both interlaced, so the best strategy is to preserve what's already there.

Judging from your needs, the odds are that you'll get the best interlaced result by just doing nothing about it. Seriously!

-tacosalad

[rhw]

Thanks Tacosalad !! If everything in life could only be so simple.