Are XP, SP, EP, LP, etc. modes DVD compliant standards?

[PuzZLeR]

Standalone DVD recorders that can record from television (as well as from VCRs and cameras) have several recording modes usually labeled after the amount of time you can record on a DVD, such as XP mode, SP mode, EP, LP, etc.

I understand why they label them as such because it makes it easier to determine recording length. For example, SP mode is about 2 hours per single layer DVD-R.

But I also understand the real deal is all about bitrate. SP mode is really a different name for a bitrate between 5000kbps to 5500kbps or so.

However are these XP, SP, EP, LP standards necessary when it comes to DVD compliance standards? Are they just there for the average consumer to identify with the older VCRs or do they have a bigger role with compliance than just that?

Thanks in advance!

[guns1inger]

They are virtually meaningless because different players implement them in different ways. Some will record at full res at a lower bitrate, others will drop the resolution. Generally anything SP or less is compliant. XP (or whatever they chose to call their highest mode) can have bitrates as high as 15Mb/s, which is not compliant for DVD authoring.

Basically, it is a marketing ploy, like putting a 2 hour running time on a single layer disc. Meaningless bullshit.

[dphirschler]

They really should standardize those recording modes. For instance, XP should have a certain bitrate (7500?) with AC3 audio at a certain bitrate (256?) across the board. But I only have one DVD recorder. For all I know they have standardized the modes.

Now that I think about it, I think mine (a Philips) has an HQ recording mode (one hour).

Darryl

[Cornucopia]

Just look at what each mode actually means:

For example,

SP might mean 720x480 (D1) @ 29.97fps, with Vid bitrate=7.9Mbps, 2ch Aud br=256kbps

Assuming GOP lengths etc are valid (which they should be), this WILL be standard DVD-Video compliant.

But,

"XLP" might mean 480x480 (SVCD aka 2/3D1) @ 29.97fps, with V br=2Mbps, A br=128kbps

While this might actually be "playable" on some machines, it's just luck (or the fact that they may already know how to play SVCD's), because it's NON DVD-Video compliant, and I'm sure there are a number of machines where it won't play. And if it's got Extended GOP lengths, then that'll make it much less compatible.

The "What Is" <--- topic to the left will tell you what is DVD-Video compliant, just match them up with what you've got on your machine. The manual will go into further depth about that (usually if no where else, then at the very back where the "specs" are).

Scott

[lordsmurf]

I think they should let users set their own bitrate and resolution too, within VR/DVD-Video specs. Let us choose from an advanced menu, maybe even let us make our own presets.

But that's probably just wishful thinking, even on pro models.

[jman98]

I think they should let users set their own bitrate and resolution too, within VR/DVD-Video specs. Let us choose from an advanced menu, maybe even let us make our own presets.

But that's probably just wishful thinking, even on pro models.

That will NEVER happen, although you are correct that such an option would be nice. Why? Too much chance to confuse the customer. The truth is that 99% of the public has no interest in sites like this or in learning how to make their own DVDs by carefully encoding to specific bit rates. They just want stuff to work. My best friend is a lawyer and his attitude towards life is, "If I have to push more than 2 buttons, it's too complicated". I think the majority of people would agree with him. I could just see the complaining if users could set the bitrate - "I set the bitrate for 100 and it looks like crap! Your recorder sucks!" and no amount of explaining why a bit rate of 100 Mbps is always a bad idea would satisfy such a customer.

[FulciLives]

I think they should let users set their own bitrate and resolution too, within VR/DVD-Video specs. Let us choose from an advanced menu, maybe even let us make our own presets.

But that's probably just wishful thinking, even on pro models.

I've been saying that for a LONG time ... especially since my Pioneer DVD recorder sticks to 720x480 until you get to 3 1/2 hours or 3 hours and 40 minutes or something like that.

3 hours at Half D1 would be SO much better.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman