Resolution

[helpmaria]

I downloaded a video from a p2p program and the resolution is 352x240. I plan on burning it to a dvd and I have the program that converts the files to dvd files but I just want to know if the resolution size is too small? Is it going to be kind of blurry or have pixelation?

Thanks.

[jimmalenko]

352 x 240 is a valid VCD resolution as well as a valid DVD resolution, so you can just pop it into most authoring programs as-is, and they will take care of the upsample to 48KHz if required. Pixelation is generally as a result of insufficient bitrate when encoding, so that is basically out of your hands. The only real way to tell if the result will be watchable is to actually go ahead and author it, and make your own decision on the output.

[ZippyP.]

Yiou didn't say what type of file, avi, mpg etc.

352x240 is known as VCD or 1/4 DVD resolution. If it is an mpeg you hae then you should be able to author and burn it to DVD as-is, no conversion necessary. If if is an avi then be sure to use the low res DVD setting when converting to mpg. The file is already fuzzy due to the low resolution and you do not want to make it any worse by trying to increase it.

edit: What he said.

[helpmaria]

It's an AVI. I don't know how to make a VCD. I just use a dvd. Is VCD better?

[jimmalenko]

Since you've got an AVI, you'll need to convert to either MPEG-1 or MPEG-2, and the specs here (if making a VCD) or here (if making a DVD). In all honesty, with a 352 x 240 source, it probably isn't going to make much difference, all things being equal. The only thing you will need to consider is that VCD specs are limited to 70 minutes per disc (unless you want to go the XVCD route), whereas with DVD you're looking at around 7 hours worth of VCD material per disc.

DivXToDVD will probably do a fair job of the conversion and authoring to DVD if a one-click-wonder is what you're after. Follow the links to download the old freeware version and see how you go. Either that or http://members.dodo.net.au/~jimmalenko/AVI2DVD.htm should have some good pointers for you if you would like to do this the manual way. Or try http://members.dodo.net.au/~jimmalenko/TMPGEnc1CD.htm if (X)VCD is the way you want to go.

[thecoalman]

Don't convert the resolution to a higher one either. Leave it the same. That will produce worse results.

Although 352x240 will not produce absolutely great quality if it was produced from a real good source with decent encoder then it should be medicore unless you view it on very large TV.

On a smaller TV such as a 19'' unless you have an eye for it you may not even be able to tell.