SVCD vs VCD Info Needed

[mikewg]

I don't quite understand the differences between VCD and SVCD... namely, how many minutes can you fit onto a SVCD? I see everyone saying you get 10 Megs per Minute for a VCD, but is there a ratio for SVCDs? If I'm digitizing from a VHS, should I capture as a SVCD if I want the best quality? Any other advice about VCD vs SVCD?

[sunmiztres]

Usually i can fit 40 to 50 minutes worth of movie on a 80 minute cd when doing a svcd. it all depends on the movie and what bitrate you set.

i usually always do svcd's because to me the quality is much better.

[Yeshi]

hmm, ok, going by my experience of both, SVCD has much better STILL image quality that VCD's, but during motion it is much more blocky. you can fit however many minutes of SVCD on video as you want, it depends on the bitrate you use, i tend to use in the 1800-2200 range. VCD picture quality is too soft and shit.

[Vejita-sama]

If you use the standard templates then an 80min CDR will hold 80min of VCD and 38min of SVCD. At the same bitrate and resolution MPEG1 and MPEG2 look the same. The real advantage of SVCD/MPEG2 is that it supports things that MPEG1 does not (eg. interlacing, multiple audio tracks, multiple angles, etc.)

If you are making an x(S)VCD then the movie lenght is depending on the bitrate used (resolution has no affect). Take a look at the vcdhelp.com bitrate calculator (under the Tools link to the left) and play with a few settings.

As a general rule the higher the resolution and bitrate the better the quaility of the encoded MPEG. HOWEVER, most DVD players have ~2800kbit/s max and at higher resolutions you need a higher bitrate or the picture won't be as sharp. Also, you can't make the MPEG better than the original source, so a 320x240 DivX shouldn't be encoded at 720x480.

For DivX source 352x240 is if; for DVD rip, 352x480 or 480x480 is better.

[vitualis]

In response to Yeshi's sentiments:

A properly encoded SVCD will ALWAYS look better than a properly encoded VCD -- for still parts of the movie or in motion.

SVCD uses VBR MPEG-2 for video encoding. VCD uses CBR MPEG-1.

For most of the differences between VCD and SVCD, read "What Is" VCD and SVCD on the panel to the left.

Regards.

[Yeshi]

viualis. can you help me there? i have asked on the forums, how to acutally properly encode a SVCD.. i use these settings in TMPGENC
res - 480x480
aspect - 4:3
rate control - MVBR (2500max, 0min)
YUV - 4.2.0
DC - 10bits
Motion seach - lowest quality


GOP STRUCTURE
I - 1
P - 4
B - 2

default quanitze matrix settings. the video still comes out blocky as shit in motion.

can you tell me HOW to 'properly encode' a SVCD?

[razmalaidogg]

How can I burn a x(s)vcd at 720 x 480 resolution? I have a DiVX file in 720 x 480.

I can burn a 480 x 480 x(s)vcd with nero, but dont know how to do it in 720 x 480.

Thanks

Raz

[Truman]

Yeshi, if you use TMPG for MPEG-2, encode @ high bitrates, otherwise the picture get blocky. You will have more luck with cce. Back to TMPG: Use VBR 2pass avg2000 (max2500, min0-500) or just use CBR2500. Motion search-high, GOP structure 1-5-2 might be better for NTSC when it comes to editing or authoring. Also I have to mention, that high resolution is only usefull, if you have a very good source (like dvd). Well encoding with these settings takes much longer, that's the price.

[Truman]

razmalaidogg, which encoder did you use to convert the divx to mpeg? Even Nero should burn a 720x480 mpeg, if you uncheck "create standard compliant CD".