Encoding from AVI to VCD/SVCD: basic support

[radunn]

I primarily capture from webcam (Intel PC Camera Pack) and VHS (tv recordings etc.) to the hard drive as AVI file. I then use Virtualdub for editing/filters etc, TMPGEnc Plus for encoding to vcd/svcd and nero for burning.

Basic problems are: when the avi is played back on the computer it look great; played back on the dvd player (vcd/svcd compatible, Philips dvd-674) darker colors are often blotchy/lighter than the AVI and some background noise. There are no audio/video synch problems. I will list the settings used in TMPGEnc for encoding to mpeg1/2.

I really need to know if the webcam should be encoded as mpeg1 or 2; the same holds to VHS (tv shows, copies)?

TMPGEnc settings for VCD: SVCD
- Rate control mode - CBR CBR
- VBV buffer size - 40 112
- bitrate - 1150 2520 (sometimes changed to 2100)

? When should i use Interlace/non-interlace for svcd (as this is inactive when MPEAG1-video is selected at Stream Type) I do change audio from 224kbps to 128kpbs as the webcam AVIs have minimal recorded audio; is it okay to make this change?

Pertaining to the VCDs/SVCDs blotchy/lightend dark colors in comparison to the avi, I've read that Quantize Matrix (TMPGEnc setting) should have "Output YUV data as Basic YCbCr not CC1R601" enabled; the reason being the different color ranges between the tv vs. monitor; (16-235 vs. 0-255 respectively). Does this setting effect the encoding VCD/SVCD color playback on the dvd player?

How is this set to 16-235 or does enabling Output YUV data as Basic ... make this setting change?

All n all, I'd like to make the best quality CDR/RWs of my vids in VCD/SVCD format but really am uncertain as to "when" SVCD is an appropriate choice for what I do.

In advance, thank you for your support as I think I can learn an awful lot here!

AMD Duron 1.3Ghz
Abit KT7a rev1.2
768MB pc133 sdram
2 80G Maxtor 7200 rpm ata133
Windows 2000 Pro SP4

[Ejoc]

Not sure what resolution your web cam is, but if it isnt that good MPEG1 VCDs might be fine.

When I capture I always produce CVDs, same w/ DVD Backups. I do this because I have a DVD burner, I just find CDRs more cost effective at the moment. So CVDs 352x480 is a valid DVD video size. I also found that if I capture in 320x240 I resize the picture to 320x480 and added 16 pixel wide borders to the side, due to overscan I never see it, so I'm keeping more picture on the TV.

So I encode Video as:
352x480 2pass VBR 300min/?avg/2520max - I tweak the average so it comes out to just under 800mb. You could do 480x480 for SVCD

and Audio:
44.1kHz 192kbps - I like 192kbps for audio because I think more is overkill and less actually can become noticeable.

Then Id 86 Nero and use VCDEasy to make the SVCD/VCD/CVD

I dont bother with VCD MPEG1's because in my opinion a low VBR MPEG2 > high CBR MPEG1

[radunn]

When I capture I always produce CVDs, same w/ DVD Backups. I do this because I have a DVD burner, I just find CDRs more cost effective at the moment. So CVDs 352x480 is a valid DVD video size.

What are CVDs; cdr/rw video discs? I assume you're talking about SVCDs?

I also found that if I capture in 320x240 I resize the picture to 320x480 and added 16 pixel wide borders to the side, due to overscan I never see it, so I'm keeping more picture on the TV.

How do I add the 16 pixed borders; I use TMPGEnc and Virtualdub.

So I encode Video as:
352x480 2pass VBR 300min/?avg/2520max - I tweak the average so it comes out to just under 800mb. You could do 480x480 for SVCD

This area I need a little help in. Most of the vids (even combined) do not utilize a full 650/700MB CD; I think I follow what you stated above; will explore it this evening for practice

Then Id 86 Nero and use VCDEasy to make the SVCD/VCD/CVD

Do you mean VCDEAsy first, then Nero. I use VirtualDub, is VCDEasy better?

I plan to get a DVD burner / TV capture card after I get more foothold on what I'm doing at the beginners level. Thanks for your support

[Ejoc]

CVDs are like SVCDs, instead of going on a DVD the go on a normal CD. CD-Rs are a normal blank CD, CD-RWs are rewriteable CDs.

You could add borders to your picture using either TMPGEnc or VirtualDub. Someonelse can tell you how to do it with VirtualDub, as I dont use it for that, but in TMPGEnc there is a crop/broder function(I think thats what its called) where you can add borders, but at this stage I would suggest holding off on that part till you get all the other stuff down first.

I use (Variable Bit Rate)VBR because it makes the overall video better, sure it takes longer to encode, but the bits go where they are needed most. If your vid clips are small, and dont fill a CD, you might try making them be 1/2 a CD or around 400MB, then you can fit 2 videos on 1 CD. To do that you adjust the average bitrate up or down to get the desired file size. I find TMPGEnc does a good job of estimating the file size.

Use VCDEasy instead of Nero. Get VCDEasy 1.1.5.2, its the free version. And there are plenty of guides out there for using it, but its pretty easy.

[radunn]

Ok, I will wait for the border stuff; I think I'm a ways from that at this point. I'm learning alot from you; thanks!

I use (Variable Bit Rate)VBR because it makes the overall video better, sure it takes longer to encode, but the bits go where they are needed most.

Do you use 2pass VBR? The options are manual VBR, Automatic VBR.

If your vid clips are small, and dont fill a CD, you might try making them be 1/2 a CD or around 400MB, then you can fit 2 videos on 1 CD. To do that you adjust the average bitrate up or down to get the desired file size. I find TMPGEnc does a good job of estimating the file size.

What criteria is used for adjusting the average bitrate; I've been keeping it at default (1150 vcd, 2520 svcd) which I'm sure is incorrect. Is the size determined before being encoded in TMPGenc; the initial AVI filesize? Knowing how to determine average bit rates will be a tremendous leap for me. Again, thanks for your support!