What's the best way to encode a dvd to svcd?

[CRanga]

Can someone please tell me once and for all the best way to encode a DVD to SVCD. I'm talking about quality, so no blocks etc.

Also i cannot use CCE because my comp isn't good enough.

Right now i just use DVD2AVI to create a project, then i encode using TMPGEnc and CBR, i try not to go lower than 1800 CBR.

Despite this i do tend to get a lot of blocks when the camera pans quickly.

Seen as how i am new to ripping and encoding dvds i would like to know if this blockiness is usual and to be expected.

If possible could you please tell me what programs to use and not refer me to any guides because i have read them all, and they are basically all the same.

Thanks,
CRanga

[T 3 X]

CRanga

1. I know you said you dont want to be referred to any guides BUT have you checked this one out?

2. Why are you ripping to AVI and then to MPEG when you can virtually rip straight to MPEG (SVCD) using the below link/guide. I use it and I dont get any blockiness which brings me to my next question...

3. Quality is directly proportional to quantity so how many disks to you want to end up with?

http://www.vcdhelp.com/dvdtovcd.htm

Hope something here helps

T 3 X

[CRanga]

I didn't think i was ripping to AVI then SVCD, i thought the best way to make a SVCD was to make 2 .d2v prject with DVD2AVI.

I use as many cd's as i need in order to keep the bitrate above 1800. I just did Traffic on 3 cd's at around 2000, and Halloween on 2 cd's at around 2250.

It's just that in Traffic when the camera pans quickly and if there are a few people on screen at once it tends to get blocky.

[CRanga]

I have just read the guide, and that is exactly what i do.

Like i said in my first post i create a PROJECT, i do not save an AVI. I then open this .d2v file in TMPGEnc and encode, but some scenes still come out blocky.

[^404ErRoR^]

The problem probably comes from using CBR. With only 1800kbps on scenes with a lot of motion, you're going to get blocks. If you're looking for the best possible quality and don't care how long it takes, look into using CQ...this is unpredictable, but when set up proper;ly (probably takes a few tries...) it gives very good quality. If you're looking for a predictable (referring to filesize...) method...use 2pass VBR (or automatic VBR which is faster.) This allows the encoder to vary the bitrate according to how many bits are required per frame. Set the average bitrate to your destination bitrate (for filesize), and make sure minimum bitrate is 0. The maximum bitrate should be the maximum allowed for SVCD (assuming you need a standards compliant SVCD...which is 2579kbps i believe. Average bitrates of 1800kpbs should give you similar sized files with much better quality.