Using TMPGEnc to go AVI/VCD and getting horrible display...

[Creechur]

Hi all,


I've followed the steps on the AVI to MPG tutorial. I can get the thing to encode right ( well sometimes ) but when I make a VCD my resolution is horrible. I've heard all kinda of stories about how you can get close to VHS/DVD quality. Mine looks like a 9 year olf VHS tape that was run over 3 times when i encode it. I've search this forum and read the helpful tutorials, but think I am missing one part of the puzzle....


My system can handle the encoding I am using TMPGEnc 2.51 and my source for the AVIs is shadowrealm newsgroups.

I used the wizard in TMPGEnc and tried various setting I've read about here.

Can anyone help clue me in on what I might be doing wrong?

[videoguy79]

Hello--

Unfortunately, VCD's are never DVD quality, more like VHS if you are lucky, though I have heard of people getting S-VHS type results (I myself have yet to do that w/ VCD). At 352x240 your avi is going to look noticably worse (i.e. less sharp) than the source file. Also keep in mind that you are compressing an already heavily-compressed source. DivX's make poor sources for VCD's since they are severely compressed. . .every time you recompress you will lose more data. I've downloaded a couple DivX's and obtained much better results by going the SVCD route (up to 2520kbps, 480x480 resolution). Try using the SVCD template in TMPGenc, but first make sure that your standalone DVD player can playback SVCDs. Also, keep in mind that SVCD is at a higher bitrate and resolution than a VCD, so less video will fit on each disc (it ranges from 35-70 minutes if you stay within ISO compliance). If your source file is crappy, it will only look worse coming out of the encoder, regardless of the settings and format you choose. I do feel that most DivX's look a bit better as SVCD's, so long as you don't mind flipping a disc now and then.