Converting DivX-AVI to Mpeg2 and frame skipping

[PigBoy]

I'm trying to convert some divx files to mpeg2 in svcd format to be burned on DVDR. I'm using tmpeg to do the convertion. I'm doing svcd instead of complete DVD mpeg to save space. The resulting svcd mpeg2 file is already twice the size of the source avi.

Problem: It seems no matter what bitrate I've tried ( high, low, CBR, VBR 2 pass ), I always end up with what appears to be frame skipping in the mpeg2 file. This is on computer or burned and played on the DVD unit. Video plays along fine for the most part with audio in sync... but, ever few seconds it seems to jump ahead a few frames.

Possible solutions?

1) I've found that this is a common problem here, but, haven't seen a lot of answers. I have not tried frameserving with avisynth yet. Does anyone know if this will actually resolve the problem?

2) My source AVI's are 23.9 fps and I use pulldown in tmpeg to make it look like 29fps. Should I instead try just converting the avi to 29fps instead of faking it this way?

3) Also, I use DVDLab to compile the dvd media. I read somewhere that while muxing the audio/video together, it will actually do something to keep the audio in sync with the video. Is it possible that it's dropping frames to pull this off? ( unlikely ).

Thanks!

[Tommyknocker]

Are you trying to make an DVD-SVCD, or a compliant DVD?

[PigBoy]

I'm putting together an SVCD-DVD. I wonder if I'd just have better luck convering the AVI to DVD 720x480 instead of to SVCD 480x480? Although, I guess this shouldn't have any effect on how the frames appear to be skipping.

[ZippyP.]

You might want to try a compliant DVD resolution like 352X480 or 720X480. SVCD-DVD works on some players but not all.

[Tommyknocker]

And you have tried changing the field order as well?

[PigBoy]

Field order... actually I haven't tried this yet. Can field order cause this type of problem? When I've seen field order used for something like this, I thought it was when the problem was more of a consistant, short interval stutter? However, I will give this a try, thanks for the suggestion, Tommy!

Also, I may have to try converting to compliant DVD 720x480 if the above doesn't work. However, I'm not sure this is the problem. I'm able to use other SVCD sourced files, created by other people without a problem ( forgot to mention that in my original post, sorry ).

Thanks again... any other suggestions are welcome.