what is the bitrate to be used when converting vcd to mpeg2?

[tlian]

Hi,
I plan to convert vcds(PAL) to mpeg2, so I can store couple VCD(PAL)
to a DVD (NTSC).

My steps are as following
1. rip the mpeg-1 PAL video using isobuster
(352x288 25 frames/sec, data rate around 1200 kbps)
2. convert the mpeg-1 file to mpeg-2 using tmpgenc
3. use ulead Movie factory to author the DVD.
(MPEG setting is Half-D1, which is 352x480, 29.97 fps)

My question is,
Since the source resolution is 352x288,25 fps and data rate =1200)
and the destination resolution is 352x480,29.97 fps
what is the bitrate should I used to achieve the same quality?
Trying with data rate 1200 seems to generate a less quality result.


Thanks
tlian

[johns0]

You dont need to convert vcd(mpg1) for dvd,just import into mf and the only thing it has to do is change the audio from 44khz to 48 khz.

[steptoe]

You can't alter the bitrate, as a VCD's bitrate is only 1150 anyway

So, even if you set it to something silly like 9000, it would still only be 1150 as that is the source bitrate. The damage has already been done !

I agree with the first reply though, reading it again


You're results will be terrible, as you're re-encoding it again, dropping the quality even more

I've burnt DVD's, using VCD/MPEG1 bitrates so I can squeeze every possible space out of the disc, quality wasn't vital, as its a 20-25 year old series anyway

[tlian]

I try it, But when I clicking the Output button, I get the following message.

"This action will take some time to render. Do you want to continue?".

I guess MF will do the encoding for me to convert to the right format.
(mpeg-2). If it need encoding at all, I prefer to use tmpgenc.

tlian

[johns0]

Mf is most likely changing the audio from 44khz to 48khz,that takes some time,let it do that and see whether or not the mpg stay the same,there should be an option in the program so as not to re-encode dvd compatible files.If the mpg is re-encoded to a higher bitrate the quality will be the same or worse,the bitrate can be changed,just not the picture quality.

[tlian]

I tried it. It seems like MF will convert the video. I think the reason might be because the source is PAL format and the destination is NTSC format.

I tried with tmpgenc dvd authoring too. by adding PAL mpeg1, the result will be a PAL DVD. I can not force it to create NTSC DVD, seems like there
is no option to set the prefered format of the resulting DVD.

tlian