TMPGEnc too Dark from MPEG-1 to MPEG-2

[azukre]

Hello Everyone,

I'm trying to convert my VCD MPEG-1 352x288 25fps CBR 1150kbps, Layer-2 44100Hz 192kbps to MPEG-2 format in order to burn on to my DVDRs. (Size is only 3.70GBs after combined)

However, I picked NTSC (Low resolution) with "CBR MPEG-1 Layer Audio (MP2)" in the Project Wizard, Expert Settings for the Source is "Non-interlace" for the "Video Type", and "4:3 625 line (PAL, 704x756)".
[I'm not too sure what Expert Setting for Source is for, so I just left it at default]
When I get to last part, the Video resolution is greyed out at 352x240, and video bitrate is set at 1100, and audio bitrate at 384kbps.

However, after 16 hours of conversion. The result wasn't what I expected. The picture is kinda dark compares to the original format. Also, because the resolution was convert from 352x288 to 352x240. The faces kinda "choppy" compares to the original one.

I'm trying to keep the conversion smooth, and maintain the best quality possible.
Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong?

Thank you for your time

[johns0]

You dont have to convert the vcd cause its already dvd compliant,only the audio need to be resampled from 44khz to 48 khz and tmpgenc dvd author will automatically redo the audio for you.

[azukre]

That's what I did in the first place, but my SONY NS715P show me the error msg "CANNOT NOT PLAY DISK".