Setting question re: cut/join MPEG-1 with TMPGEnc

[bruce73]

I have several downloaded .mpg files (MPEG-1's, VCD-compliant: 352x240) that I want to edit using TMPGEnc before burning to VCD using Nero.

I'm not sure what setting to use for "Type" under MPEG Tools>Merge&Cut. Would it be "MPEG-1 System(automatic)" or "MPEG-1 Video-CD"? My sense is that, with the type of source files I have, it should be the former, with the latter referring to VCD-converted .mpg files (the .dat files). Is this correct?

I've been able to cut and join some of these clips successfully using "MPEG-1 System", but thought I should confirm this before going further.

Thanks.

[ubaddala]

Last night I tried using "MPEG-1 System(automatic)", to join 2 VCD clips, when I tried to burn the mpg file as a VCD compliant one, Nero complained that the resulting file is not a valid VCD. but when I did the same using "MPEG-1 Video-CD" Nero accepted and the VCD plays fine in the DVD (pionerr) player. I guess there was no encoding done as the quality of the resulting clip is the same quality as my original clips.

[cmacleo]

I always explicitly use the type of my file (say MPEG-1 Video CD). I have had problems with files becoming unusable/non-compliant otherwise. If your MPEG file is intended for VCD I suggest you use MPEG-1 Video CD.

[bruce73]

Good advice, guys. I just tried to load one of my edited clips (MPEG-1 System), and, sure enough, Nero had problems with it; loading one of the original files went smoothly. Back to the drawing board (sure am glad I saved the originals!).

I'm still learning -- specifically that when a .mpg file is said to be "VCD ready" it means more than just the 352x240 resolution.

Thanks a lot.

[DVantrease]

Just a note, I always make XVCD (higher bitrate), and when I merge/cut I use 'MPEG-1 Video-CD(nonstandard)' successfully. Of course Nero complains, but that's expected.

[bruce73]

Thanks for the tip, makes sense. My standalone (Toshiba) supports XVCD, but I haven't attempted one yet. What exactly are the birate differences? Would re-encoding of VCD-compliant clips work? I would suspect, like .jpg's, once there is loss, that's pretty much it. Also, what do you use to burn, as Nero doesn't support XVCD, does it?

[bruce73]

Oh, wait, duh, that last question was a little dumb :wink: (havne't had my coffee yet this morning). You use Nero, but turn off the compliancy, is that it? OK, going OT a bit here, how do you create your source files to ensure the higher birate?

[ubaddala]

I capture with VirtualDub AVI (no filters/compression) @ 352x480 and then let it run thro' TMPGnc. The quality is as good as the source. This is what I do:
In TMPGnc, (1) firstly select the VCS/NTSC and select the source AVI.
(2). hit cancel and go to the main tmpgnc
(3). hit load/extra/unlock
(4). change the bit rate to 1500Kbps
(5). set the audio to 224
(6). limit the source range if you want
(7). choose motion search to highest
(8). encode and enjoy the film

[bruce73]

Great. Thanks a lot.

[DVantrease]

Yea, Nero burns XVCD just fine, it just warns you that it's not a '100% compliant' VCD. Just turn off complaincy (don't let Nero re-encode), and as long as your player supports XVCD then you're fine.

[bruce73]

OK, so Nero will complain because the bitrate is a higher value than a normal VCD-compliant clip. But the resolution *still* has to be standard NTSC 352x240 or PAL 352x288, correct? The reason I ask is that I burned a clip with a resolution of, I believe, 368x256 (?), choosing non-compliancy and no re-encoding by Nero, and my standalone couldn't play it.

While we're at it, what software will analyze a MPEG clip for properties like bitrate, etc?

[DVantrease]

For XVCD, you can use non-standard resolutions too. I've encoded at both 480x480 and 720x480 and they both played fine, at least on my Apex player. As far as checking bitrate goes, I'm not sure because I use CQ_VBR (variable bitrate), so it's hard to check the bitrate of the final mpg since it's variable.

What you might want to try is taking a small 30-second clip, encoding it once at 352x240 and again at a non-standard resolution, don't make any other changes. Then burn them onto a CD-RW and try to play them, then you'll know for sure if just the resolution is causing your player a problem. CD-RW's are great for experimenting.

[bruce73]

Thanks for the info.

I've tried using CD-RW's for experimentation, since my standalone (Toshiba SD-3750) supposedly supports them. I tested both VCD-compliant/non-compliant clips, and, with both, I get a loading error ("Disc error, check disc"). This happened with both Imation and Memorex media.

I used a regular CD-R disc to burn a menu and a non-compliant clip. The player would show the menu, but couldn't open the clip. That makes some sort of sense, I guess. The problem with the CD-RW's doesn't. Ah well...

[DVantrease]

Well it does sound like the non-standard resolution wont work on your player. Well I'd hate for you to waste another CD-R (good thing they're cheap), but you could put both a 'compliant' and a 'non-compliant' clip on a CD-R with a menu, then if it plays one and not the other, then you'll know 100% for sure.

[vitualis]

If you want to cut a VCD compatible MPEG-1 with TMPGEnc, you must set it to "MPEG-1 Video-CD" and NOT "Auto".

For XVCDs, then use "MPEG-1 Video-CD (non-standard)".

There is NO re-encoding when using these tools. The settings refer to how the end result is mutliplexed.

Regards.