Need some "TIPS" on quality......

[BigTen2k2]

Can someone leave a few tips on how to get better quality and smaller files. Ive only been doing this a coulple of months and I keep hitting walls when it comes to those blocks. I can get a pretty good picture but then my file is pretty big. And also I have a few questions.....

I dont have a DVD rom so I download Mpeg or AVI and convert to watch on the TV. Are there any advantages one presents over the other?

I use 2pass(VBR) and Automatic VBR(CQ_VBR)in TMPGEnc. I use a Max bitrate of 2600 a Min. of 500 and I calculate the avg bitrate. Is there a rule of thumb when choosing the max and min bitrates?

Whats a good Newbie book to buy?

Thanks for you time...........

[randallc]

Sounds to me like your problem is not starting with a good enough source. Recompressing the downloaded files is not optimal. If you had the equipment to create an SVCD from a DVD I'm sure you'd be stunned with the quality.

Randy