DivX to VCD- Macroblocks

[Metallo]

Hi,

I've got a concert movie in DivX, 29,97fps, 1h.36.min, 352x288.
I've encoded it with ProCoder 2.0 in VCD PAL format, 1150 kbps, CBR 1 pass.I managed to burn it on a CD-R 99 min.

The main problem is that I see macroblocks, which are even more evident because the concert is mostly in the dark.

My thinking is that the VCD bitrate is too low and that maybe I get more chances to encode everything to DVD 352x288.
What's your opinion?
Any suggestion?

Also, apparently ProCoder does not allow me to encode in DVD 352x288, therefore, I will use TMPGE for this, maybe you have some suggestion on the best settings?

Also, in VCDEasy, I have burned a menu (mpg still) page and then the movie with its chapters.
I set (only) the mpg still to play infinite and disabled the numeric keys because I thought that once I pressed Play, the movied would have started.
But I was wrong. Only if I press NEXT it starts, but I'd like to get it started when pressing PLAY. Where am I wrong?

Thank you!
Alex

[ZippyP.]

My thinking is that the VCD bitrate is too low and that maybe I get more chances to encode everything to DVD 352x288.
What's your opinion?
Any suggestion?

352x288 is not a valid DVD resolution. Use 352x240 (1/4 DVD), make it for DVD and up the bitrate, say 1,800 or more. The blockiness may be in the original file though.

[Metallo]

352x288 is not a valid DVD resolution

Well, according to the DVD Specs below, it is a valid resolution

PAL

Video:
Up to 9.8 Mbps* (9800 kbps*) MPEG2 video
Up to 1.856 Mbps (1856 kbps) MPEG1 video
720 x 576 pixels MPEG2 (Called Full-D1)
704 x 576 pixels MPEG2
352 x 576 pixels MPEG2 (Called Half-D1, same as the CVD Standard)
352 x 288 pixels MPEG2
352 x 288 pixels MPEG1 (Same as the VCD Standard)
25 fps*
16:9 Anamorphic (only supported by 720x576)

Thanks
Alex

[mats.hogberg]

For PAL 352 is fine, in fact even better
Yes, you should get better quality if you encode to 352x288 mpeg2 at a higher bitrate (like 2-3000 kbps) but no matter what, I think the macro blocks are there even in the DivX if you'd watch it on the TV - dark areas seem hard to encode properly for most compression schemes.

/Mats

[the * dude]

do it to dvd, but if the blocks are in the actual source tmpeg has a 'de-blocker which actaully makes the picture softer.... '

or maybe you need to set the motion search to very high!!!

[Metallo]

Well,

Normally I encode at 6000 - 8000 kbps, so provided that macroblock are not in the source, they should disappear.

I'll give a try and let you know.

Thanks to all!
Alex

[ZippyP.]

352x288 is not a valid DVD resolution

Well, according to the DVD Specs below, it is a valid resolution

My mistake.

I live in NTSC land and sometimes forget about PAL resolutions.

[Metallo]

Hi all,

I encoded with TMPGE at 8000 kbps, with and without block softner, both much better that the previous VCD, but unfortunately not enough for me to accept the level of quality.

As a result, I threw everything in the bin, the source is not good enough, which in a way, being a DivX, it is not a surprise

Thanks for the help guys

Alex