VCD looking better than SVCD! How? Why?

[DeathStalker77]

Ok, I used Nero (5.5.7.8) to convert an existing MPG file to both VCD and SVCD.

The SVCD came out looking like CRAP, while the VCD was quite good.

Any ideas on this?

Virtual Dub 1.4x gives the following File Information -

Video Track
Frame Size: 352x240 29.970fps (33367)
# of frames: 96477 (53:39)
Number of I, P, and B Frames: 5546 / 27008 / 63923
Avg bitrate: 1149kbps (141KB/s)

Audio Track
Format: 44KHz stero, 224Kbps Layer II
# of frames: 88025k

Now while I know normal video specs, I really don't grasp the I/P/B frames bit.

Should I try converting it to SVCD first and then burn it? If so, what would be the best converter and burner programs?

Thank SO much


--- DeathStalker

[LiteOrb]

Hi Mr DeathStalker77 are you using the nero svcd plugin?
as you can see i'm the new guy

[MaDmiZe]

I don't ever use SVCD...Your file info looks like a standard compliate VCD 352x240,1150kbps, 29.97fps. Question is did u encode to VCD or SVCD and burn ...or did you let Nero change the file then burn. SVCD gives u some options that u dont have on VCD...But they aint that great to me...So I encode to Non-standard VCD then burn..That way I can mess with bitrate (affects quality but also size..).

[Barnabas]

"Video Track Frame Size: 352x240 29.970fps", means that your file was VCD sized to start with. Enlarging a 352 x 240 size capture to be 480 x 480 is going to look pretty bad. Your original file needs to be at least 480 x 480 for SVCD to look good.

[vhelp]

dethstlkr,

* what was your source?
- divX or Captured AVI, or DVD??

* dont' use the Nero "encoder plugin", as it doesn't really give you
good quality encodes.

If you source is an AVI from, say, a capture card of yours, then try
enoding with TMPG instead. Nero doesn't really good quality encodes,
but at least you can encode, right?

Anyways, tmpg offer many options, and templates, vcd and svcd.
if your source is 352x240, use the standard VideoCD template and encode
as such. You can make any changes in the template (provided you loaded
up the "unlock.mcf" file AFTER you loaded the template (any template)
If you rousce is 352x480 or 480x480 or higher, than try the svcd template.
...again, you can make changes in tmpg (see above)

Your final "quality" will be determined by your:
* source quality clean, etc. (ie, dvd, satalite)
* ivtc/32pulldown/inverse32pulldn, etc. this is for advanced people, but
you can find way MUCH info on this topic on this FORUM in the "converting"
tabs to your left, and also using the SEARCH feature, and also clicking
on the FAQ block to your left - basically everything you need to know is
under the "OTHER" button, to your left (orange buttons)
If you find your encode is NOT satisfactory to others you have seen, then
perhaps it's due to your source quality, where you got it, etc.
If it's a divX, then please don't expect anything better than what its
currenty in. You cannot improve on a divX, especially those low resolution
ones, ie, 352x240 or 320x240, 640x240 - these wont give you ANY improvements
if you try and encode to SVCD's 480x480 etc. Best to use VCD resolutions
for these, ie, 352x240 only. By keeping these divX files (if that's some
of your source you're trying to re-encode) you'll save yourself a little
less grief.

Welp, give the above some thought, K?
later.

-vhelp

------------------------------------------------
you can see some samples I did, and compare against some of the
ones you've D/L'd elsewhere on the net, over here:
VHELP's Samples - updated daily or so... LAST: 05.27.02
You can always see a new sample clip there almost every day.
So, be sure to visit that link (temporary) every day.

[vhelp]

dethstlkr,

Just re-read your post, he, he...

The how?, and WHY?
how, 1, your source was probably a 352x240
* that's how come your VCD looked better??
* your source was prob. 352x240, and when you encoded to an SVCD (480x480)
using Nero, the 352x240 video (was bad quality to begin with) was stretched
and made the video look worse.

why, 2, I believe i just answered that, above

-vhelp

[DeathStalker77]

VHelp (and everyone else):

DOH!!! <sigh> I should have paid more attention - common sense kinda says that blowing up from 352x240 to 480x480 is gonna get blocky.

Sorry for the dumb question - been a long weekend - very sore and tired from changing rear coil springs - NOT a fun thing to do

Thanks again for all the quick reponses!

--- DeathStalker