How to create SVCD's (I think I do no but...)

[NicoE]

Hello there,

For a while I'm trying to figure out how I can produce the best quality SVCD.

Let me first share with you my hardware/software components;

Pentium-II 350 Mhz, 525 MB internal Memory
Pinnacle PCTV Pro capture card, using the S-Video input
UDMA 2 hard disk
Pinnacle Studio 7 capture/edit software
TPMGnc MPEG 1/2 encoder
Windows 98
Nero 5.551 CD-RW software
Canon Hi8 Camcorder, S-Video output

Creating VCD's is not a problem. Recording at a format of 352x288 works fine. Since I'm aiming for the best possible quality I started learning how to create SVCD's.

My understanding is that I need to capture a format of at least 480x576(Pal) for SVCD. Since Studio 7 doesn't support this format the next option is 720x576. When I record an AVI lots of frames are dropped and the image doesn't look very smooth in the preview windows, also when I’m still not recording to disk.

What are the minimum hardware requirements for recording DV quality at 720x576?

Is my problem related to processor speed or hard disk speed? I'm considering buying a 7200-rpm hard disk, but before I do I want to know if this will resolve my problem. I've red a lot of documentation (also on this fantastic site) but the documents tell very little on hardware specifications / requirements related to maximum achievable results.

I hope you can bring me some light in the darkness.

[mikestadnyk]

i don't think it matters that much whether you have a fast hard drive or not, since it's all done digitally and not according to timing. i'm not sure whut studio7 you're talking about tho. when i wanted to create some svcd's, i just followed the instructions given here. so basically, i just used tmpgenc for all of it. i've never needed anything else, other than nero to burn the svcd.

[NicoE]

Mike, do you perhaps mix-up my question in relation to encoding instead of capturing ? I looking for details on the minimum hardware specs to capture 720x572.

[networkswiz]

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On 2001-11-12 10:20:58, NicoE wrote:
Hello there,

For a while I'm trying to figure out how I can produce the best quality SVCD.

Let me first share with you my hardware/software components;

Pentium-II 350 Mhz, 525 MB internal Memory
Pinnacle PCTV Pro capture card, using the S-Video input
UDMA 2 hard disk
Pinnacle Studio 7 capture/edit software
TPMGnc MPEG 1/2 encoder
Windows 98
Nero 5.551 CD-RW software
Canon Hi8 Camcorder, S-Video output

Creating VCD's is not a problem. Recording at a format of 352x288 works fine. Since I'm aiming for the best possible quality I started learning how to create SVCD's.

My understanding is that I need to capture a format of at least 480x576(Pal) for SVCD. Since Studio 7 doesn't support this format the next option is 720x576. When I record an AVI lots of frames are dropped and the image doesn't look very smooth in the preview windows, also when I’m still not recording to disk.

What are the minimum hardware requirements for recording DV quality at 720x576?

Is my problem related to processor speed or hard disk speed? I'm considering buying a 7200-rpm hard disk, but before I do I want to know if this will resolve my problem. I've red a lot of documentation (also on this fantastic site) but the documents tell very little on hardware specifications / requirements related to maximum achievable results.

I hope you can bring me some light in the darkness.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Well, I would seriously suggest a minimum of 400 MHz and UDMA 100. CPUs and HDs are so cheap now, you should strive for a 1.2 MHz CPU and a 7200 rpm HD. I used a 5400 rpm drive and dropped frames like crazy, switched to a 7200 rpm one, and was happy since. And you should turn on UDMA on your motherboard, using the CD that comes with your mobo.
If your capture card works with it, use NT or 2000: there's no file size limit on your captures. Hope that helps.