Want to choose output video (FILE) size

[TraumaDoc]

I have some existing .avi video files (movies, etc). I want to make them to VCD's to play in a standalone DVD player that plays them fine. However, all the output trials are making them larger than my CD's are able to hold. I've done this before but it's been a while.

I can overburn and have discs that are "99" minutes ones holding 870 MB

What I want is a tool, encoder, whatever that will allow me to specify the maximum end file output size so that it will fit to ONE CD, etc. I don't want to have to go to bitrate calculators and so forth.

Just tell it to fit to 800 MB or 850 MB or whatever I choose and then tell it to go....

Any suggestions as to an all in one application to do this for me ?

Thanks

[deckard8]

Encode vcd's to 74mins (700mb) cdr for burning to 80min cdrs
Encode vcd's to 80mins (790mb) cdr for burning to 90min cdrs

Don't overburn vcds, your vcd will probably not play. That's my experience anyway. I am most successful burning vcd's always leaving a little headroom/space on the cdr and not burning to the brim.

[p_l]

TMPGEnc can do this if you Load the unlock.mcf template in the Extra folder.

[jimmalenko]

The guide here shows you how to customise the bitrate so that any movie will fit on one CD with TMPGEnc.


EDIT:
I just tried this link and it loks like the guide is missing.

The same guide with a few mods by me appears here.

[mats.hogberg]

Problem with VCD is that it's a fixed bit rate standard: 1150 kbps. Thus, about 80 minutes of video is what you can squeeze on to a 80 min CD-R, that's it.

/Mats

[p_l]

Thus, about 80 minutes of video is what you can squeeze on to a 80 min CD-R, that's it.

/Mats

Not if you load the unlock.mcf template as I mentioned. Of course, the lower the bitrate, the lower the quality, but the original poster wants to put his movie on one CD. Sure, it's non-standard, but it can be done and it works.

[jimmalenko]

Semantics, but VCD is a fixed bit rate standard by definition. Once you change the bitrate it's an XVCD or out-of-spec VCD, which, as mentioned, can enable more than 80 minutes on a CDR.

[mats.hogberg]

but it can be done and it works.

Yes, it can be done. How it works depends on how strictly the player sticks to the standard. -And even if it works fine on your current player, will it work on the next one you buy?

/Mats

[p_l]

-And even if it works fine on your current player, will it work on the next one you buy?

/Mats

While some players might not play an XVCD that exceeds the standard bitrate, I've yet to find one that won't play an XVCD with a bitrate below the standard. Anyhow, if the original poster wants to put his whole film on one CD, that's how.

[bugster]

Semantics, but VCD is a fixed bit rate standard by definition. Once you change the bitrate it's an XVCD or out-of-spec VCD, which, as mentioned, can enable more than 80 minutes on a CDR.

A common misconception, and one I held myself until fairly recently. VCD requires CBR encoding at a bitrate UP TO 1150Kb/s. This is a maximum, not a fixed value. So lower bitrates, as long as you use CBR, is still a valid VCD.

[mats.hogberg]

If that's true, (and I don't doubt it is!) I stand corrected! (But why then does TMPGEnc lock it at 1150 if it's just the high limit?)
But back to the main q: What's wrong with using a bit rate calculator?

/Mats

[bugster]

(But why then does TMPGEnc lock it at 1150 if it's just the high limit?)

My guess would be that anything lower just isn't worth the effort

But back to the main q: What's wrong with using a bit rate calculator?
/Mats

My thoughts exactly.

I don't use the TmpGenc wizard, but won't this do what is being asked

[TraumaDoc]

Man, I hate when arguments start up

There was an application about 2 years ago that did exactly what I want - just say the max size and boom

Anyhow, I'm trying some of the recommendations, especially in the suggested page to make a 1 Disc VCD with TMPGEnc .. it's running, I'll see how it comes out. I'm making a couple discs for a friend and he doesn't much care of high high quality and thus I have no desire to use a lot of discs to get the job done.

Thanks, I'm trying it, if anything is hinky I'll yell

As for bitrate calculators ... they never seem to work just right and the file is never what I want in size ... and besides, it should be a ton simpler to just say do this and boom and calculate it all on the fly

[mats.hogberg]

Well, I've found BRCs the a crucial tool in the process of encoding stuff. For DVD I use VideoHelps own, and AVI/(X)(S)VCD Bitrate Calculator for VCD/SVCD. If you know how to set up the encoder, they work. Note that there are version(s?) of TMPGEnc where it output mpegs at the same bit rate (hence size) regardless of bit rate setting - a real nasty bug that has made many loose their hair!

/Mats