Can TMPGEnc be used to "zoom out" on an avi video?

[dltf90]

Yes, this sounds really strange, but let me explain. I did the first DVD burn of the live concert video transfered from Hi8. I clipped the
720x480 video in Premier with 10 pixels covered on the sides and top and 18 pixels covered on the botton (with black) to get arid of some scan line problems. I put my overlay of my record label in the lower right corner (20 pixels above the bottom of the frame, 15 pixels from the right side of the frame). The logo itself is 40 pixels square. I encoded everything with TMPGEnc with 4:3 aspect ratio. TMPGEnc recognized the avi as 720x480 and encoded.

When view it on the computer in DVD or VCD format, it looks great. But when I view it on the tv from the dvd-r, the black bars from the Premier clipping are not even visible at the bottom (remember I clipped 18 pixels) and the right side of the picture overscans so much, my overlay logo doesn't even appear. All my title screens which I output as avi's came through just fine. Arrgggghhhh!!!! The first projects are always the hardest.

I guess I underestimated the overscan effect, I thought I had it right. Is there is a way to make TMPGEnc "zoom out" when encoding to get more of my frame image to display on TV? Maybe use the Video Arrangement Method setting of "custom size" in the advanced options menu? I really can't redo the logo overlay in the avi file with premier since the logo has long since been combined into the video.

[Truman]

Overscan area varies from Tv to TV. Create some stills with colored borders and check, what your tv will display. Then resize properly and add borders to the overscan area. Well, you have to reencode.
For example my TV displays only 648 (of 720) pixels horizontal resolution!!! If you use video arrange method "center[custom size]", make sure you keep the aspect ratio. I recommend to use FitCD to calculate how to resize.

[banjazzer]

If you choose full screen(keep aspect ratio) as video arrange method, and 1:1(VGA) as Video arrange method, you should be able to view everything you are encoding.

[Truman]

I don't think so unless you use a video editor to add the borders.

[dltf90]

Overscan area varies from Tv to TV. For example my TV displays only 648 (of 720) pixels horizontal resolution!!! If you use video arrange method "center[custom size]", make sure you keep the aspect ratio. I recommend to use FitCD to calculate how to resize.

Yeah, I went to Circuit City that evening and played the disc. The other tv's (tube and projection) displayed more of the image than my 19" monitor in my apartment. It gave me a better idea. Since my video has a lot of "wide angle" views, I didn't like how the tv's were lopping off as much of the picture as it did.

Ok, now for my question. 720x480 is a standard avi res. But it isn't 4:3 either. 640x480 is 4:3 but isn't a standard avi res. 720x540 is 4:3 and considered a standard dvd resolution. So why is it that all the video editors and compression codecs refer to the avi as 720x480? So the next time I capture video from my digital8 or miniDV, should I be capturing at 720x540? Arrggghhh!!!! I knew I should have just stuck with audio work, at least there I have a firm grip on everything.

[Truman]

Huh, there is no "standard" avi resolution as well there is no MPEG "standard" resolution. But VCD standard is 352x240 and SVCD standard is 480x480, both DAR 4:3. You guess right, MPEG may use square pixels or not. Usually (and according to the standards) it doesn't.
Do not confuse resolution and DAR. If you are aiming for SVCD I suggest to cap at SVCD resolution, i.e. 480x480.
And yes, you proved it. Every TV set comes with a different overscan area. Check your TV and figure out a rule of thumb. I am quite happy with 16 pixels left and right (SVCD).

[dltf90]

Huh, there is no "standard" avi resolution as well there is no MPEG "standard" resolution. But VCD standard is 352x240 and SVCD standard is 480x480, both DAR 4:3. Do not confuse resolution and DAR.

Yes I'm starting to realize how confusing this can all get. Future video editing will take more consideration of the overscan problem. I just underestimated the severity of the problem. Thanks for the information on VCD and SVCD, but I don't think I'll ever use them. I'm not into video piracy like the majority of the people out there. I'm more into producing or remastering original material for DVD. Lots of live music concerts.

[fakesky]

vcd/svcd has nothing to do with piracy,
its like saying hdd´s or even computers do..

stop beeing so stupid,
I use vcd/svcd for my concert captures, since dvdwriters and media
is still do expensive down here.

[dltf90]

vcd/svcd has nothing to do with piracy,
its like saying hdd´s or even computers do..

stop beeing so stupid,
I use vcd/svcd for my concert captures, since dvdwriters and media
is still do expensive down here.

I think you misunderstood me. I meant my comment as an offhanded joke. But along those lines, how am I being stupid? I assume you are using the same internet that I am. 80% of the posts on the internet about VCD/SVCD ARE in regards to pirating official release video's. I'm not a card carrying member of the RIAA or MPAA by any stretch of the imagination, but I do believe in supporting the artists by purchasing works when they are available for purchase. You should only take offense to my statement if you fall into the group that use those formats for piracy, if you do not, you need not take offense. I guess I need to learn to use more Emoticons to keep people from misunderstanding me.

[Truman]

Which format you are ever aiming for (VCD, SVCD or DVD), the overscan problem is the same. Only the calculation is different due to the different resolution.
Also I don't understand what you said. It sounds like you think, VCD and SVCD is used for pirated movies only. Bullshit, VCD and SVCD are official industry standards. If you are more happy with DVD, OK.

[dltf90]

It sounds like you think, VCD and SVCD is used for pirated movies only. Bullshit, VCD and SVCD are official industry standards. If you are more happy with DVD, OK.

Please read my previous post. Yes, I've made VCD's before from non-copyrighted material. Remember I used the word "most" not "all". One needs to take into consideration that each adjective has a completely different meaning and inclusive group property.

Coming from an audio world, a lot of us have worked very hard to archive audio on lossless digital formats. Obviously the same can't be done for video since even miniDV and Digital8 use compression. Therefor the formate that uses the least amount of compression (DVD) is the more natural choice for achiving video like a 1982 Van Halen video concert.

The majority of concert vidographers I know or have met prefer DVD as their eventual final format. Better audio, better video, infinite replay without degradation, infinite copying without degradation and more features. Yes, cd drives on computers can make VCD or SVCD a more portable format than DVD since every computer has one, but most people do not want to watch a music video on a computer. Likewise, many people have DVD players, but fewer of them have ones that will play vcd's.

Regarding the "80% used for piracy", please read this board as an example. I don't mean this as an insult, but one would have to be blind not to notice. I see the same thing with audio groups and mp3's. Do you honestly think the majory of the people ripping DVD's to VCD's are doing so to back up their retail release collections? It is what it is. If you take offense to the statement you really need to ask yourself why. I'm only pointing out what I observe, that doesn't make me or my observation "stupid" or "bullshit". The people that do produce original content VCD/SVCD material are few and far apart.

[banjazzer]

Regarding the "80% used for piracy", please read this board as an example. I don't mean this as an insult, but one would have to be blind not to notice.

I think your choice of words is just a little unfortunate, and perhaps says more about you than *the people out there*. Even more unfortunate since you came here for help. You really should think carefully before making sweeping generalisations, particularly here where many author their own (S)VCDs. Basically, the forum is about techniques, not the ethics involved with copyright material. I find it annoying, and I do have copyright stuff. If I didn't, I would actually find it offensive.

[banjazzer]

double post, somehow

[dltf90]

I don't think my choice of words is unfortunate. My views are very strong against piracy, always have been. I've lived and worked among professional and semi-professional musicians for a very long time. My choice of words reflects what I have seen in the few months I've been working with video. The majority of vcd/svcd threads and discussions I've seen have centered around pirating video programs from sources like DVD. And it isn't just me. I have several coworkers that are also independent film makers (some with more interest in it than others) and they say the same thing. One even compares the vcd to mp3, just for video. Now I'll agree that's a bit harsh, but he did win a local film festival a while back.

While the forum(s) may be about techniques, one must also recognize that ethics still do apply. People may not like to talk about it, people might not like to acknowledge it, but that doesn't make it any less valid. Yeah, 80% is somewhat inflated on my part, I'll admit to that. The problem is a lot of people view this the exact same way I do. Whether you want to or not, you must have noticed that the perception is not far off. If I make people mad, that's fine. If people want to blackball me, that's fine. But if I can make people think, that's even better. I don't mind admitting I'm wrong, just want someone to prove it to me, not just say it. I like a good debate, you learn more that way. So if I can do a little bit to raise people's awareness of piracy issues, maybe it will make a dent with each person that questions their ethics.

[banjazzer]

The problem is, you have steered this forum, which is about the technical aspects of producing VCDs and related video, into a forum about the ethics of doing so. It is simply not relevant here. The imperative above about not talking about warez should emphasise the point. Whatever you personally feel about this is totally irrelevant to these forums. I have strong feelings about the policies of both the film and music industries, which I believe, through corporate greed, encourages piracy. However, this is neither the time nor the place to elaborate further on these views. 8)

[dltf90]

The problem is, you have steered this forum, which is about the technical aspects of producing VCDs and related video, into a forum about the ethics of doing so.

Ah, so this is the mistake you are making at the heart of this discussion. Please go back and re-read the posts. I made one off handed comment in jest and you guys ran with it, not I. So if you are to blame anyone for your feeling guilty about your morality, you needn't look much further than yourselves. Now come on guys, you're smarter than this. I'm talking about the ethics of piracy which has nothing to do with producing original content to those formats. Remember, you ran with this topic, I only kept up with the debate. If you keep taking things so seriously, it is liable to cause you some health issues.