HELP! Best SVCD template settings for TMPGEnc (PAL)

[AndyB]

Hi!
I'm trying to find out the best template settings in TMPGEnc for creating SVCD's from a number of short MPEG2 clips created on my DVCII.

The clips are music video/TV performances transfered from VHS & S-VHS video tape (PAL), and so the majority are no longer than 5 minutes or so, (I think the longest clip is an interview of around 10 minutes. All are high quality.

I've already successfully created a number of CD-ROM's from the clips, but these will only playback on a computer through Media Player.....I'd now like to advance to creating SVCD's to play on stand alone DVD players.

The DVCII MPEG2 clips are 720 x 576, and have a video bitrate of 8000 Kbps (CBR). Audio sampling rate is 48000 Hz, with a bitrate of 256 Kbps.

I realize that TMPGEnc has a PAL SVCD template....but are the default settings going to be the best for me?

For a start, the Template 'rate control mode' is set at 'CQ', but since I'd rather go for quality rather than fitting more on a disc, would I be better off using 'CBR'?

Also, should 'encode mode' on the 'Video' tab be set to 'Interlace' or 'Non-Interlace' (I've not found a clear explanation on this setting).

Two 'Advanced tab' settings that confuse me are 'source aspect ratio' (4:3 625 PAL or 1:1 VGA?), and 'Video arrange Method'('Full screen keep aspect ratio' for me perhaps?)

Sorry to ask so many questions folks, but I'd like to get on creating the discs as soon as possible, and it's driving me up the wall searching for answers!

Thanks in anticipation!

Cheers,

Andy B U.K.

[David M]

Andy,
Did you ever get an answer to this? Lots of NTSC information, but I can't seem to find anything specific to PAL. I've not really got any idea what all the acronyms and numbers mean.

Thanks,
David M

[KingJohn]

How much are you paying for disks ?
Will CDR-W work ?, Why not try some ?