Another guide to fit 120min + on a 80min CD (PAL)

[SatStorm]

OK, here is my way to create very good X(s)vcd compatible with many DVD standalones. And because the new fashion here wants to name x(s)vcds, I shall call it "SVD" (Satstorm Video Disc)

You need a good source like a DVD-video or a DVB transmission.
Tools you need:
For DVD: Smartripper, dvd2avi,tmpgenc 2.51 plus
For DVB: Dvd2avi and tmpgenc 2.51 plus. The way to rip DVB transmissions is hardware based, so you end up with a ready mpeg 2 file.

DVD: You rip the DVD on a directory and you load the vob files to dvd2avi.
DVB: You rip the DVB transmission, and you load the mpeg2 files to dvd2avi. You select "all files" to ad them

The following steps are the same for both source

You leave DVD2avi as it is, with it default settings. You go to file> save project and you point where to save what the program have to save...

DVD2avi gonna create 2 files: d2v, a dammy file for video.
For audio if you have DVB source there gonna be an .mpa file. This is a ready mp2 file, you can leave it as it is if you want no audio quality loss. But, for fit more on a CD, mostly you have to transcode it to 128kb/s mp2
From DVD-video, most of the times you will end up with a huge wav file. You have to encode that to mp2 128kb/s if you don't have much HD. Better use tooLame for this.

Go to tmpgenc 2.51. (with the vfp installed of course...)
Load the d2v file on the video setting and the mpa (or wav) to the audio setting. Now load the standard SVCD template for PAL or NTSC. Unlock it.
- Go to setting > video and set size 352 X 288 (352 X 240 for NTSC), Encode mode to interlace and DC Componet Precision to 10.
- Go to advance and set: Video source type: Interlace, Field order: Top field first (field A), source aspect ratio 4:3.
--On filters go to the "sharpen edge" filter and double click. A screen show up. Set "enable filter" and set 74 on the horizon and the vertical values. Now also do the following: If your movie is bigger 100 min, uncheck (if checked) the "Field base" option. If your movie is smaller 100 min, check it! (that is important!)
-- Now go to the "De-interlace" filter. Double click, a screen show up. Mark "Enable filter" and set Method to "odd field"
- Go to Gop structure. Mark only "detect Scene chance" NOTHING ELSE!!!
-- It is time for a little gop tweaking... If your movie has a lot of action, then lower the number of P pictures in Gop. For extreme action set it to 2 of even 1..... If your movie is a static one, leave the number o P pictures to 5 (default) or 4.
- Go to Quantize Matrix and set only Use Floating point DCT. Be sure it is marked
- Go to Audio and select 44100, stereo, 128kb/s, mark only "error protection" and set empasis to none.

- Now, go to a typical bitrate calculator (you gonna find many on the tools section of VCD help) and calculate as SVCD. On the bitrate the program shows, add 100 and return to tmpeg.
Go direct to Video > Rate control mode and set CQ_VBR. Hit "Settings and set: The number of the bitrate canculator + 100 for Maximum bitrate and 200 to minimum bitrate. Don't mark "enable padding". Set the "Quality" on 65 or 50, never lower...
Now, hit encode and wait...

When finished, you have a mpeg 2 xSVCD file, playable only on xSVCD compatibles. Also, probably is more 800 min.

- Return to tmpgenc and load the "tmpgenc tools". Go to simply De-multiplex and load your mpeg - 2 file. Hit run. That will produce 2 files: m1v for video and mp2 for audio.

- Return to "tmpeg tools", and select simply Multiplex. Load the m1v and and mp2 on video/audio. Set type "Mpeg 1 - Video CD" and hit "run"

Congratulations, you have a "SVD - mode 1". The file is smaller than before and compatible to players compatible with SVD - mode 1.
In case your player don't accept SVD - mode 1, then try SVD - mode 2.
How you do a SVD - mode 2 ?
Simply: Set on simply multiplex "Mpeg 1 - Video CD (non standard)!

FAQ:

Is the quality DVD like?
No, it is not. It looks like VHS

What are the limits of SVD?
120 - 130 min of acceptable video/audio...

Do you, SatStorm, creator of SVD, use it yourself?
No, I don't use it. I prefer xSVCD

My standalone DVD player can't play SVD
This amazing piece of crap, SVD, is an X format. Is basicly a xSVCD remuxed as VCD for standalones capable of playing VCD but not SVCD. Don't expect a great compatibillity.

Why to use SVD?
Don't use it. It is crap. But, all X-VCD are crap! SVD is less crap than other formats. Use it only if you want crap quality of a big (>95min) movie on 1 CD.

Eh, I test it with DiVX and....
SVD is good with interlace source. Progressive source may not produce good results

I am amazed! How can I contact with you?
Why to contact with the creator of the crapiest format of all?

OK, that is a joke, right?
No it is not a joke. Try my guide, it really creates good looking x(s)VCD in small bitrates. But, for movies about 110 - 130 min, it is better to use CVD/SVCD and 2 discs. For 90-95 movies, it is better to use xSVCD like Sefy's SxVCD or my other amazing creation: SatStorm's LP SVCD.
My amazing SVD never gonna look better a good 352 X 288 xSVCD...
But (there is always a "but"), SVD maybe is compatible where xSVCD ain't.

Have Fun

[SatStorm]

I forget to mention the "macroblocks" issue.
SVD has blocks like a standard VCD. No more, no less. That is exeptable from many maistream users...