How to encode HalfD1 in Mainconcept?

[reboot]

Just what the subject says.
Mainconcept Mpeg Encoder 1.04.01.00
I have a bunch of 352x240 avi's captured from a Canon, at 15fps.
No point in making them full D1, and framerate conversion to 29.97 seems to work allright during encoding, with barely noticable jerkiness.
Just trying to cut some encoding time off by not resizing that much.
While I'm here, how would I accomplish this in tmpgenc and Canopus?

[bugster]

Why even use 1/2 D1. Why not encode to VCD spec video, 352*240 (so no resizing). After all you won't increase the quality by enlarging.

[reboot]

I would do VCD, but dvdlab chokes. Need dvd compliant files, or at worst, svcd. The quality of the files is quite good, and dropping to 1150kbps VCD is not what I want to do, unless there's a way to get Mainconcept to encode 352x240 vcd at a custom bitrate of 6000kbps or so.
I just don't know enough about resizing in Mainconcept I guess...

[teegee420]

Click the "Details" button to change the resolution to 352x480, then the "Advanced" button to change the bitrate. I probably isn't necessary to encode half D1 with more than 5000kbps. In my opinion using more than 2000kpbs would be overkill for VCD resolution. Once you have your settings to your liking you can go to Options>Save Settings As Template to avoid having to adjust manually every time.

[reboot]

So just dump the video size from 720 down to 352 and encode?
And here I thought it was gonna be complicated
Thanks Teegee

[teegee420]

So just dump the video size from 720 down to 352 and encode?
And here I thought it was gonna be complicated

Understandable considering that most of the shit we do in this hobby is complicated.

[reboot]

So true!

[bugster]

I would do VCD, but dvdlab chokes.

352 * 248 at 29.976fps, or 352 * 288 at 25fps, mpeg-1, CBR up 1500kbs IS DVD compliant. DVDlab accepts them fine.

Oh, and don't forget audio has to be 48khz sample rate.

[reboot]

Not worried about audio, had that figured out long ago.
Tried importing VCD (video stream only) made in tmpgenc, and dvdlab balks. It will take it, but that's not what I'm after.
The actual video quality is quite good, it's just the framesize and framerate that are VERY stupid (thanks to Canon).
In order to maintain quality, I encoded at HalfD1, 2500kbps (thanks for the tip teegee), and managed to author a great looking dvd. Better than the full D1 I had tried earlier, and MUCH better than VCD.

[Gazorgan]

Enough! The next person that says "use VCD" gets smacked :P

Might I point out that 352x240 (that's 352x288 in PAL land)is a vaild resolution for MPEG2? There's no need to encode it to MPEG1. Do it as progressive, since there's no need to do it interlaced. This is how I make those "10 Hour" DVD's for the kids on those loooooooong summer roadtrips. It's also the perfect resolution for those annoying 320x240 downloaded AVI's...