Why does my VCD look better than my SVCD?

[uka100]

Well I capped a few mins of a film with MJPEG on quality 19 then encoded to SVCD with a bitrate of 1550, the file had terrible pixelation. So I tried with a VCD at the same bitrate and it looks great. Is this a problem with me selecting a bitrate to low for an SVCD?

[ZippyP.]

Is this a problem with me selecting a bitrate to low for an SVCD?

Yes. SVCD needs a much higher bitrate that VCD to still look good due to the higher resolution. If you must use a bitrate that low then try 2-pass VBR with a 1550 average, 200 minimum and 2500 maximum (SVCD max). It will look much better.

Edit...If your clip is only a few minutes long then VBR might not make much difference. It will look best at the SVCD max bitrate.

[uka100]

Nah, it only looked marginally better, I'll stick with the 1550 xvcd, unless anyone has any better ideas?

[ZippyP.]

You can try an SVCD at 352x480 resolution. It's also called CVD or 1/2 D1, it's a valid DVD resolution and so is easy to convert to DVD later on. Most SVCD capable DVD players will play an SVCD at that resolution. Look in the Tools section for TMPGEnc CVD templates.

[uka100]

I tried the vcd and a kvcd both didnt look very nice, I think xvcd is the only answer.

[SatStorm]

Just try this: mpeg 2, interlace, 352 x 576 @ 2520 CBR with 192kb audio.
Watch on TV (not PC)

Gonna look better mpeg 1 352 x 288 @ 1300kb/s.

From the other hand, if xVCD works for you (I repait: To watch it on TV not PC), then stick with it for as long you are happy with it...

[uka100]

Yes but I'm trying to fit 55-60 mins on an 80min disc.

[SatStorm]

Why didn't you point that first place?

Well, xVCD gonna look overall better on a standard TV Screen the way you make it.