TMPGEnc Plus

[srshep]

My source file is a 352x240 .avi file. When encoding with TMPGEnc Plus should I set the MPEG2 conversion at 704x480 at 29.97 fps in the Video tab or should I convert at the source specs? What's the difference?

[Tommyknocker]

It is okay to convert down, but you stay away from converting to a higher resolution. The difference being to lower your resolution, you are only using less data that is available, often encoding with losing little quality. On the other hand, converting to a higher resolution, your system has to create data that is not there, often losing more quality in the final product. So, keep your settings as close to the source in this case.

[Vejita-sama]

352x240 is a supported (NSTC) DVD resolution. So I would encode to that. See 'what is a DVDR' to the left. Supported resolutions include: 720x480, 704x480 (normally only menus), 352x480 and 352x240.

There is some debate about the 352x240 resolution. Some feel that it is ONLY for MPEG1, others feel that it can be used for MPEG1 or MPEG2. Reading the DVD spec it says that MPEG1 video can only be used at 352x240, but makes no mention of MPEG2.

Myself, and several others, have made MPEG2 352x240 DVDRs thou, so it's all good