whats the best, a higer resolution, or a higher Kbps

[OutSider]

i'm recording some cartoons directly from TV to PC, but what is more important if i want to convert it ti Xvid ?
i want atleast 6-7 episodes on 1 cd, so about 115MB for each episode
so when i enter it into a bitrate calc, i get 340Kbit/s but there is no option on the resolution, so does the resolution matter??
it should shouldnt it?

[jimmalenko]

resolution has no effect whatsoever on file size. It does have remarkable effect on quality. At 340kbps, I'd look at VCD resolution (352 X 288 for PAl or 352 X 240 for NTSC).

[rhegedus]

At 340kbps, I'd look at VCD resolution (352 X 288 for PAl or 352 X 240 for NTSC).

Plus, you don't gain anything from higher resolutions if the source is broadcast TV or VCR.

[OutSider]

and how did you get those values? own experience or is there someway to calculate it?
edit: and whats a good program to change the resolution? or does it also work with VirtualDub (thought i saw something like it)

[rhegedus]

They're the standard resolutions for VCDs - look at the TMPGEnc templates.

[jimmalenko]

and how did you get those values? own experience or is there someway to calculate it?

I found out by asking a question here ages ago. I got the answer that the bitrate I wanted to use would look crappy but got told to try it for myself. I did try it and the poster was right !

As a general guide, quality is in the eye of the beerholder. Try a couple of 1 minute samples at different resolutions and different bitrates - you will soon find you own acceptable levels.

[duhmez]

Never, eer, EVER use 352x240 for avi. the aspect ratio is wrong. Use 320x240 if you are looking for vcd type res for avi.

[DiablosuX102]

there's a good mix to find between high res and low bitrate and high bitrate and low res. i use nitrogen's bitcalc, after u've calculated the bitrate u need, u can also calculate a good resolution for the xvid files, around .250 bits per pixel is about right.

hope this helps, josh