Avi to VCD blocky quality

[jacc]

Hi all

I have captured video from a Sony TRV17E Mini DV camera using Pinnacle's Studio 7. When converted to an Avi file it plays fine in Windows Media player and looks great. The same when saved to VHS tape, but when burnt as a VCD it looks very blocky, you can just about count the pixels. Just like a still picture magnified on the computer.

Should I try SVCD? In Studio 7 when I make the Avi file the program settings are the default:
Pal, DV Video Encoder, 720x576, 25fps, 3745 kbytes/sec.
All running under XP Pro.
The sound and colour are fine it is just the actual appearance that is pretty poor.
I have tried burning with Nero 5.5.9.9, and while at a mate's place tried Easy CD Creator 5 Platinum. Each result was the same. I have burnt a few movie Avi files with nero and those VCD's turned out very good.

I did read one posting and the recommendation was to burn SVCD's rather than VCD's. It may be a stupid question, but as my Pioneer DVD player plays my VCD's OK, would it play SVCD's as well?

Anybody have any suggestions please?

[Baldrick]

Try convert to vcd mpeg with tmpgenc instead of using pinnacles encoder. If you are not satisfied with that quality try SVCD.

[Baldrick]

Many pioneers play SVCD check our compatibility list
www.vcdhelp.com/dvdplayers