Hello pals,

In the quest of improving quality without increasing file size.


I encode CVD PAL 352x576 with TMPGEnc 2.56 pro, 2 pass VBR, with average bitrate to fit a movie on 2 CDs. Audio bitrate is set according to the captured movie sound quality (Dolbi Prologic or not, stereo or mono, etc). Setting the limit of 2 CDs per movie (sometimes 3), I cannot increase the average bitrate. Reading on this forum, I encountered increasing GOP number for improving quality, only I'm not sure how to do it best. For CVD I use TMPGEnc original SVCD template, altering the resolution to 352x576 and setting the average, minimum and maximum bitrate according to the movie's length.

TMPGEnc default GOP in the original SVCD template, which is what I use, is:
I = 1
P = 5
B = 2
Output interval of sequence header = 1

As for GOP structure - I don't care at all maintain compliancy with any standard, as long as my standalone DVD player can play it - and the one I've got can play almost everything, including MP3 audio encoded in SVCD and CVD. I have no intention to burn my CVDs later on DVD burner. All I want is the best quality I can possibly have without increasing file size.

Yes, I know, I will get the answers that are right for me only by my own experiments. Yet, your experience is valuable and it can shorten my trials and errors.

So, what changes to the GOP structure may improve quality.

BTW, I capture TV shows and movies from a local satellite multichannel broadcast. I capture using ATI AIW card via analog video and audio inputs, VirtualDub and its timer with 480x576 resolution, PicVideo Motion JPEG at quality 18 (having only about 20GB spare for capturing). The AVI files captured look and sound good to me.

Be Blessed.