Using MPEG1 with DVD....

[mh2360]

I know that MPEG1 at 352x288 (PAL) is part of the DVD specs, but does anyone know the video bitrate limit? Also reguarding audio, i know it has to be 48khz, but can i use the same range of bit-rates as the DVD standard? Also, can I still use the anamorphic flag? The idea of cramming 5 hours on DVD-R appeals to me

[indolikaa]

MPEG-1 video rate is limited to 1.856 Mbps with a typical rate of 1.15 Mbps.

I don't see any specific information about audio bitrate limitations and/or aspect ratio flags. I wouldn't think there'd be an issue on either.

[adam]

Only 4:3 would be supported at that resolution. 16:9 is only supported with resolutions of 720x480/576 and 704x480/576, which are not allowed with mpeg1. You are also limited to CBR with mpeg1.

Also you must make sure and use a DC precision of 8.

As far as I know the audio requirements are the same for DVD regardless of what your video characteristics are.

Most of these restrictions are listed on mpeg.org's site under the DVD section.

[mh2360]

After running a few tests with Avisynth/Tmpgenc at 1700k with an AVI source, I can describe the quality as "a good VHS". You're right, the 16:9 flag wasn't reconised. Perfect for archiving captured TV shows.

[Roderz]

You are also limited to CBR with mpeg1.

Mmm... most of my mpeg1's are 2pass VBR (and quite good quality IMHO)
TMPGEnc DVD Author accepts these files but with a warning about the The video GOP is too long.
I know that it's 'nonstandard' but it work's on all my 3 dvd players.
Most I've managed is nearly 7 hours on 1 disc!

[adam]

The GOP length being too long is actually a separate issue. TMPGenc has horrible GOP control, IMO. You really need to overcompensate to keep it below the max of 18, and the only way I have even been able to do this is to close the GOPs, which can lower quality. I'm sure alot, if not most, DVD players will play VBR mpeg1 but its not supported in the standard so you are taking a risk. I'd be more worried about the GOP length issue though.

I'm just curious why you guys don't use mpeg2 though. You can still use it at those resolutions and bitrates, but VBR is supported. I just think mpeg2 is much easier to work with within the DVD standard than mpeg1. For me, mpeg1 only seems useful for transferring VCD to DVD without having to re-encode.

[Roderz]

@adam
Totaly agree, I got well over 100 vcd's and Im not going to re-encode em!
Also 2 of my players will play dvd-iso, so I got no need to Author anyway.
Since getting a dvd writer all I do is mpeg2 now.
as for the vbr-vcd's not 1 person has come back to me (yet) must be luck

[RabidDog]

are you guys sure that vbr mpeg2 @ 352x288 (vcd size) is supported on a lot of players?. I have just completed a project and tried to play it back in powerdvd and it did not like it. It played the initial section ok but then went into sqaure green macroblocks over the screen. I just also wanted to check if this res and mpeg2 vbr is part of the official dvd spec?? i dont want to have re-do this.

[Roderz]

AFAIK official DVD mpeg2 resolutions are all of the following

352x240 352x480 704x480 720x480 pixels (NTSC)
352x288 352x576 704x576 720x576 pixels (PAL)

the ones in bold are also known as CVD.

[RabidDog]

Its difficult knowing what to burn when you dont know what dvd player you are going to buy.. Actually wmp plays this file fine and thats not known for great compatibility. Yep I knew about cvd, this will be my preferred format as it makes xfer to dvd-r that much easier.