what are bitrates for?? also should i raise the resolution?

[jedi]

i am curious to what bitrates do. what would happen if i were to lower or raise bitrates? also is it ok to change the size to like 352x288? what happens when u change the size?? worse quality?? thanks

[Macros746]

This is a MUCH more complicated question then it would seem. To make a very complicated story short bitrate and resolution are two of the main factors in determine the quality of any given bit of digital video. But it is also used for specific standards. For example, a standard SVCD resolution is 480 x 480 and a standard VCD resolution is 352 x 288 (NTSC) BUT that doesn't mean you can't play with them. Basically, the higher the bitrate the better the quality EXCEPT you can't get better quality than your source file. So if you start out with an MPEG file that has a bit rate of 1150 at a resolution of 352 x 288 and you try to turn it into a VCD with a bitrate of 2000 at a resolution of 480 x 480 it will look TERRIBLE. All the tiny flaws that you had in the original file will suddenly be magnified. So basically, if you are converting from a high quality file (i.e. a DVD rip) the higher the bitrate and the resolution the closer to the source file it wil be....but it will also be a much larger file. That is what this forum is all about....finding the best trade off of quality and size....

macros746

p/.s/ I hope this was helpful and not just more confusing....

[jedi]

actually it was very helpful. see i had a problem with spiderman, tried everything and it wouldnt play. spiderman is a mpeg2, but in tmpeg i just changed the resolution to 352x288, and all of a sudden it worked, and it also said that its a mpeg1. since its mpeg1 and i changed the resolution, did i lose alot of quality?

the regular resolution was 352x240.

[Macros746]

That sounds like an odd bit of work with TMPG but if it worked for you.... You didn't lose 'alot' of resolution....as I always say in these things: If you are happy with the quality then you did it right.


Macros746

[jedi]

the quality is good, and it is in widescreen, but for some reason the faces seemed a little streched, like the faces are wider. any suggestions to make them not seem as wide?

[JediXR]

That info about bits clears alot up, so how do I determine the bit rate of the source file? I have some animation shorts that I downloaded and want to put them on SVCD, I did a test on one but it turned out rather pixelated or rather some areas were more blocky then others. The source file is rather small. Thanks for the help all, these forums are invaluble to a novice like myself

Ras