Converting from .mpg to VCD/SVCD format

[no_pulse]

What is the best program to use to convert .mpg files to VCD/SVCD format?

[vitualis]

Firstly, your question isn't quite right. There is no such thing as a VCD/SVCD file format as such.

VCD/SVCD refer to the whole disc -- the the video on those discs happen to use MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 respectively.

If you want to put an MPEG on VCD or SVCD, you should first ensure that your MPEG has the right specifications. You can't just put any old MPEG onto a S/VCD. Have a look at: https://www.videohelp.com/vcd and https://www.videohelp.com/svcd

Assuming your MPEG is okay, then you will need a S/VCD authoring program to make the VCD for you from the MPEG(s) source files.

I suggest VCDEasy as it gives you the best control over making a VCD (including menus, chapters, etc) but if you have Nero, it can make simple VCDs as well. Just choose the VCD option in the Wizard and follow it.

Regards.

[poopyhead]

(S)VCDs are .mpg format.

however, VCD = mpeg1, while SVCD = mpeg2

you need to determine if your .mpg if mpeg1 or mpeg2...once you find out, you can directly burn the .mpg fo (S)VCD w/ nero, drag-and-drop...

there's should be no need to re-encode...especially if you have a lower quality mpeg1, there's no point to re-encode that to mpeg2 because all the bitrate (video information) has already been lost in the encoding of the mpeg1.

i'm thinking the only reason you would re-encode that .mpg is if it's not to standard...i.e. both VCD and SVCD have specific resolution requirements....also, VCD 2.0 has specific standards about bitrate, resolution, etc...so if your .mpg is not to standard, you can burn it as a non-compliant xVCD or xSVCD, or try to re-encode it to standard specs...but you will lose quality in the re-encode process.

[ZippyP.]

...if you have Nero, it can make simple VCDs as well. Just choose the VCD option in the Wizard and follow it.

Just don't let nero re-encode your mpeg. If nero insists on encoding for you, then that means that your file is non-compliant. Try TMPGEnc for re-encoding if necessary, better quality than nero.

[ZippyP.]

..so if your .mpg is not to standard, you can burn it as a non-compliant xVCD or xSVCD,

Which may or may not play in your DVD player, but you can try it.