Questions about MainConcept's MPEG Encoder...

[JustSomeGuy]

1) What difference is there between converting an avi to mpg when you set the screen format from 4:3 to 16:9. I have two tv's in my house, a 16:9 screen and a 4:3 screen.

2) What should the bitrates be set to by default in the variable bit rate configuration... Constant/Variable... Minimum, Average and Maximum? (Assuming I will author the dvd and then use dvdshrink to ensure that the output video will fit on a dvd.)

Many Thanks In Advance..

[BJ_M]

1. one will be 16:9 aspect ratio and 1 would be 4:3 ... what it SHOULD depends on the source material ..

2. don't encode something then use dvdshrink -- that is a really really crazy idea ... just use the correct bitrate to begin with ...

[JustSomeGuy]

1) What if the original aspect ratio wasn't 4:3 or 16:9 what should I set it to?

2) If GSport Codec Information shows the kb/s to be 657
Is this a fixed bit rate... Or does it have anything to do with
what I should use as a bit rate in the MPEG encoder?
i.e... Assumine I don't want to change the bit rate from the original?

[BJ_M]

you may want to read a few guides to the left

[JustSomeGuy]

Another waist of time..

[Bronx]

Most of the guides are for Tmpgenc..

[TerryG]

I'm not sure what type or size of your AVIs are, but I use MemoriesOnTv to make a slide show that contains Canon AVIs (MJPEG) the the program will output a 16x9 or 4x3. By making Mpg files of each I can then put both types on the same DVD.

[teegee420]

Another waist of time..

That attitude won't get you far on this forum. It's not a waste of time to read guides on subjects you know very little about. And though it's true many of the guides are written with TMPGEnc in mind, mpeg encoding principles are the same regardless of what software you are using.

If GSport Codec Information shows the kb/s to be 657
Is this a fixed bit rate... Or does it have anything to do with
what I should use as a bit rate in the MPEG encoder?
i.e... Assumine I don't want to change the bit rate from the original?

There is no relation between mpeg and avi bitrates. None at all. Use as much or as little bitrate your disc size and desired running time will allow. Use a bitrate calculator to determine this. You can find one in the tools section.

[JustSomeGuy]

Sorry its frustrating...

It appears that AVI files do not contain any aspect ratio information.

Further it appears that if I did know the aspcet ratio of the original and it wasn't 4:3 or 16:9 then there is no way to set it to something else...
ie square pixels is not enabled and nor is 2.21:1...
Is this because of the dimensions of the avi file? eg. if the avi file is 720 x 480 then it can't be 2.21:1?

[teegee420]

You shouldn't change the aspect ratio of your source file. You will only be distorting the original frame.

[JustSomeGuy]

Where is the bang the head on the table/wall emotion? :P
I know i shouldn't change the aspect ratio...
Why can't I select 2.21:1 or square pixels?

[teegee420]

I don't know what kind of answer you're looking for, dude. Maybe someone else can help you.

[JustSomeGuy]

Its ok teegee... Thanks...