CQ 90 - problems

[legionpc]

When encoding a 23.97fps XviD to NTSC Film SVCD in CQ90, I get random playback problems on my standalone player. Sometimes the video freezes for a second or two, while the audio keeps going, resulting in it being out of sync. Sometimes the video distorts, etc.

As these problems seem random (i.e just because I experience them at a certain point doesn't mean they'll be there next time I reach that point) I can't tell if they play fine on the PC, but sofar while playing on PC I haven't run into problems.

I was wondering if CQ 90 exceeds the standard bitrate for SVCD? I'm not sure what the max bitrate my player supports is. One thing I noticed was the freezing only occurs in fast motion scenes, which reinforces my belief the bitrate may be to blame - as the fast motion scenes obviously use a higher bitrate.

I tried different brands of media and slower burning speeds, that didn't help. So the next thing to try is lowering the CQ setting, unless I discover the problem lies elsewhere.

My player is a Samsung DVD-S124.

Anyone know if CQ90 is to blame?

[energy80s]

No, the Constant Quality options don't increase the bitrate above the maximum you set before you encode. So a CQ 50 file will have the same max bitrate as a CQ99 file, it's just that the lower CQ file will be smaller as the quality (and therefore bitrate) has been reduced. Check to see what you have set your maximum bitrate at and remember that TMPGenc can sometimes exceed this on peaks by quite a margin. Also check your DVD player to see what the max bitrate it will play FROM A CDR DISC!

[Dodzzz]

yeah, make sure you set the maximum bitrate to 2500.

[legionpc]

The max bitrate that was set is 2520kbps. Audio was encoded at 224kbps.

[Dodzzz]

Also make sure the VBV buffer size (below the bitrate box) is 112 (for SVCD).

for DVD, set it to 224, and for VCD, set it to 40.

[legionpc]

Yeah, VBV buffer was at 112.

Anything else to try?

[thesicilian]

I've had the same problems so I have stuck with using 2 pass VBR. It gives me better quality & I can fit more of the movie on a disc.

[legionpc]

2-pass VBR takes far to long for me. My CPU is only 266MHz after all

When you say you had the same problems, do you mean discs encoded in constant quality gave you problems? Coz I've done a few discs in CQ80 and I didn't see anytihng wrong, but as I only watched them once, I may have just missed the problems, since they don't show up all the time.

[EddyH]

Funny, if your CQ is acting properly, with SVCD rez and a 2500k ceiling there shouldn't be much difference in size from a CQ 80 and CQ 100 file because of it maxing out a lot

possibly a hardware fault, possibly encoder...

try lowering the max, and try dropping the quality quite drastically, maybe to ~25-30... with luck that should lower the amount of scenes where maximum rate gets used so you may see less action shots freezing and be able to tell if that's the problem.

Also, you're encoding MPG2 on a 266mhz machine, that's very brave is your computer keeping up with the CD burner properly?