What is needed to run a VCD on a DVD?

[Beast]

ok, this may seem dense, but I have just started to try making a VCD disk today. I have a program that allows me to make MPEG-1 files from assembled avi and other formats (Magix Video Deluxe) but I have seen conflicting information on whether mpeg-1 IS VCD format??? It seems it is, but I keep seeing people say they have to convert mpeg-1 to VCD????

also, I have been told that I need some other file present on the disk to run a VCD disk in a DVD player.. something like an .INF file???? Is this true, and if so what does the file need to have in it??

I have been sending my files to a VCR (S-VHS format), however due to a glitch in the "wonderful" ATI All-In-Wonder Radeon 8500 DV, the image has a black border at the top and bottom of the screen (ATI says that is the way the board is SUPPOSED to work - I say "yeah and a bug is a feature too, eh?"). So now I am trying VCD format.

Thanks for any help possible.

[Tbear]

MPEG 1 is part of the VCD Standard, while MPEG 2 is part of SVCD and DVD Standard. Look at the What is section on the left of this page.
There are Standards for VCD, some people make non-standard VCD. Because of many differant reasons.

[vitualis]

The video on a VCD is encoded in MPEG-1 at particular specifications. However, it is NOT just an MPEG file on a CD-ROM.

A VCD will also have to be authored.

This can be done by many proggies (e.g., Nero, Easy CD Creator, WinOnCD) or more specialised VCD authoring programs (e.g., VCDImager +/- GUI or Videopack 5).

Regards.

[Beast]

Thanks for the info. I found that the program I am using ( a video editor called Magix Video Deluxe) has the ability to create the mpeg-1 file with Video CD extensions, so that problem was solved, but I am still trying to find out what the other files that are needed are. The program says it can create a VCD disk, but doesn't tell you HOW.. (typical isn't it?). Well back to the drawing board.

[vitualis]

Unless your program either:
1. burns CDs
2. creates disc images

Then it doesn't make VCDs...

Regards.

[Beast]

Actually it does both, it just isn't real clear as to how and since I am not real sure what files to look for I can't be certain it does what it says it can do. I have already burned one disk, but it added a program called PlayR to run it, and I am sure that is NOT what was needed. I can send the out put to a file on the hard drive, but need to know what files to look for to verify the output is correct before burning another disk.

[Tbear]

The VCD Directory should have the following.

CDI \ CDI_IMAG.rtf
CDI_TEXT.fnt
CDI_VCD.app
CDI_VCD.cfg

EXT \ LOT_X.vcd
PSD_X.vcd
SCANDATA.dat

MPEGAV \ AVSEQ01.dat

SEGMENT \

VCD \ ENTRIES.vcd
INFO.vcd
LOT.vcd
PSD.vcd

Hope this helps

[markums2k]

Also check the extensive tables here and find out what your DVD player is capable of playing. My Sony DVD player will NOT play CDRs (be it Audio, VCD, etc.) but WILL play CDRWs. Go figure. CDRWs tend to hold less information, but this allows for endless tests and video tweaking.

Both Easy CD Creator and Nero offer VCD authoring wizards (and SVCD), plus you've got the specialized software mentioned already. Out of the two big playas, I've had MUCH better luck with Nero. Both "verify" that your video is in the correct format before burning. The big step is learning how to convert video into VCD format and getting the quality you want. The guides here are all very helpful.