Quick question about XVCD

[Duminas]

I've given up on the SVCD idea... Mpeg2 is far more pixelated than Mpeg1, from what TMPGEnc output... anyways;

With an XVCD (NTSC) can it be any other resolution BESIDES 352x240? That's abit small for what I need, but mpeg2, as I said, has too much pixelation to really be worth using..

Thanks.

[bugster]

The X in X(S)VCD basically denotes that it is non standard. Therfore you can use any resolution you want. As to wether any particular DVD player will play it, well thats another matter altogether.

I don't understand why TmpGencs mpeg-2 output should be more pixellated than mpeg-1. Pixellation is normally caused by using to low a bitrate for the selected resolution and amount of motion (lots of motion, flashing lights etc needs more bitrate than low motion and stills).

Perhaps if you give a bit more detail on what you are trying to do someone can help a bit more.

[Craig Tucker]

If you go from VCD res to SVCD res and dont increase the bitrate accordingly the higher resolution image (in this case just happens to be mpeg2) will look more pixelated because there is inadequate bitrate. Remember the higher the resolution the higher bitrate required to maintain good picture quality. So if you did mpeg1 at svcd res but kept vcd bitrate you would also notice more pixellation.

[gothviruz]

I juz did my own template of XVCD with TMPGEnc.
I'm not sure if this template is a good one.

Mpeg1
Resolution : 352x288 (PAL)
Frame rate : 25fps
Rate control mode: Automatic VBR (CQ_VBR) with Max birate at 3000, quality at 100
Motion Search : Highest Quality (very slow)
Noise Reduction : ON

Any comments?

[vhelp]

@ gothviruz..

It's ok to experiment w/ what you have. We've all ben there !!

But, I don't think you'll need the add'ed slowup of that "noise reduce" on
unless your source (assuming captured) is noisy. That will depend on your
capture card of course. Example:

* If you capture w/ an Analog capture ie, ATI-TV wonder or other, then
...chances are, you'll have some (minor to medium) amount of "noise" in
...your final captured source.

* If you are using a DV hardware card or external unit ie, ADVC-100, then
...its more than likely that you will NOT have any "noise". In such cases as
...these, you won't need any "noise reduction" in your encoding.

As for CQ_VBR... w/ MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 encoding...
* For MPEG-1... (xVCD's)
It can result in good quality, but that depends on your source and again,
your device for capturing the source Analog Capture card vs. DV hardware
device.
Using a value of 100 might be extreme. Try lowering to 50 and bump it
up 5 notches per encode test. ie, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70 etc.
The 3000 might be too much also, but that will depend.
* For MPEG-2... (xSVCD's) ...the same as above.
But may give different quality level and file size. So experiment.
Also, note, there is NO perfect encode (yet) so you have "trial and error"
as you go.

Just remember, that the Standard for VCD requires:
* Resolution: 352x240
* Bitrate: 1150k
* Audio: 225k
Note: or just load in the VideoCD template and work from their.

Anything else, and you have an xVCD on your hands !

And, as for the Standard for SVCD requires:
* Resolution: 480x480
* Bitrate: 2520 - - - you can vary the bitrate on these, but ~2700 is the MAX.
* Audio: 224k (else ??? illudes me)
Note: or just load in the SuperVideoCD template and work from their.

Pretty much anything else, and you have an xSVCD in your hands.

Sorry for the roughness, but I had to learn too.. through "trial and error"

Good luck thus far, and have a great day, and Video Endeavor
-vhelp

[ZippyP.]

Motion Search : Highest Quality (very slow)

It's generally thought that High Quality (slow) is as good as Highest and is alot faster. Me, I'm using Motion Estimate and I'm happy with the results.

[ZippyP.]

I've given up on the SVCD idea... Mpeg2 is far more pixelated than Mpeg1, from what TMPGEnc output... anyways;

The format you choose to encode to really depends on your source and you didn't say what that was. If the source is low resolution (as opposed to DVD) then SVCD may not be the best choice. VCD can be okay for VHS or home video transfers.

There is a format called CVD (or 1/2 DVD) which you might want to try, it's between VCD and SVCD. Resolution is 352x480 and it's mpeg2, burned to disk as a non-compliant SVCD. It's a valid DVD resolution and plays in many players, check the Tools section for some templates. You will need a bitrate higher than VCD but not as high as SVCD.

[gothviruz]

@ gothviruz..

It's ok to experiment w/ what you have. We've all ben there !!

-vhelp

Thanks for ur advice!.. Anyway, do u have a 'perfect' XVCD template that gives great sharp non-pixalated quality?
I hate those pixels showing when i play the files in full screen or on TV.

[bugster]

do u have a 'perfect' XVCD template that gives great sharp non-pixalated quality?
I hate those pixels showing when i play the files in full screen or on TV.

Sorry, I think most people will agrre that there is no such thing. To get the absolute best out of any encoder, you need to twaek the settings for each encode, never forgetting that the quality and type of the source material plays a big part in required settings and the finished result.