Is there n e point ????

[Raider]

...in creating a divx.avi file from a ripped dvd, and then converting that .avi file to an mpeg to burn a vcd.
The reason I'm asking is that I've heard mixed comments. some ppl seem to say they get ghosting originating from a divx.avi file, and others say that you get better quality from a divx file........so I'm a bit confused.

I want to make a decent vcd..(I don't mind if its on 2 cd's). I tried making a single mpeg using dvd2avi and TMPGEnc, which came out at about 993mb, which I split into two cd's, but I didn't seem to have any control over the bitrate, I only seem to have control over the bitrate when I convert the .vob files to an .avi in dvd2avi, and the compression box appears offering LOW or FAST motion. Here I can obviously choose the bitrate, create an .avi and then convert to mpeg for a vcd, but this obviously seems to double the time, and I've no way of knowing what size the outcome of the resulting mpeg will be.
So is there a way of controlling and choosing your bitrate with any of the proggys, and going straight from ripped .vobs to a decent quality (mpeg) vcd, with a known bitrate and file size.
Hope this makes sense.
Thanx for n e help
Raider.

[Sefy]

Out of experience, and if you use logic i'm sure you will get to the same conclusion, if you encode an MPEG from a pure source, such as VOB files (using DVD2AVI frameserving) you will get a much higher quality, because the original is the high quality DVD, so the encoding will produce a much clearer image, while encoding from a DivX, will always (and I mean ALWAYS!) produce poorer quality, because DivX is extremly compressed source, it's even more compressed then MPEG1 or MPEG2, so encoding from that, the encoder does not have alot of material to work with, and that produces a bad overall image.

[Raider]

@ Sefy,
Thanx for that, I did have that sort of idea floating about, you mean a bit like copying a copy, you slowly loose the original detail etc...
What about this bitrate m8? When I use TMPGEnc, I click on Load, select my template, whether it be vcd or svcd, and then the bitrate seems to be pre-determined, when I go back to the video tab. Can these be played around with?, although I have just read on one of the links from this site, that vcd's only bitrate format is 1150..???
If I click the video tab first, I can play around with the bitrate?, any advice on this pleez m8.
Sorry!!, one more question, when you select "source aspect ratio", is this the details of the source you got the files from, or the source format you want it to go to?
Say, my source was a 16:9 Pal dvd that I had ripped, what would I need to enter, if I wanted to view it on a 4:3 standard TV
Thanx again,
Raider.

[AntnyMD]

I think newbies are assuming MPEG4 is better quality than MPEG2, just because two is greater than 4. THIS IS NOT THE CASE WITH THE MOVING PICTURES EXPERTS GROUP.

[AntnyMD]

I think newbies are assuming MPEG4 is better quality than MPEG2, just because two is greater than 4. THIS IS NOT THE CASE WITH THE MOVING PICTURES EXPERTS GROUP.

[Sefy]

Raider, VCD is a pre-set standard, and that is why you have a pre-set Bitrate, for some it does not seem enough, and they use SVCD, or other hybrid formats (XVCD/XSVCD), but to maintain the highest compatibility with devices (CDI, VCD Standalone, PS2...) then you must use the VCD standard as is without changes.

You can however change the Bitrate and turn the VCD into a Non-Standard by doing so, however it will not guarntee that it would still be playable on some devices, including some DVD Players.

As for the 16:9, and this is my method, so i'll propably get blown over the head for it, but it works for me, and I use it, I select the Center (Custom) and for an NTSC movie I use 352x180
and this retains the 16:9 with the black bars appearance when played back on a 4:3 TV.

[Raider]

Thanx Sefy m8, explained perfectly.
I was beginning to get a little dragged in to all these settings etc......., when I only really need a few basics to make a decent vcd..??
I've read on another site that you can change from cbr to vbr and use 2pass vbr to increase quality, again, is this only for SVCD???.
thanx for your patience m8.
Raider.

[Sefy]

If you ever heard of my Templates (SxVCD/SeVCD) they use the VBR method for encoding, which provides you with more movie and better quality even when using the same bitrates as a regular Template (compared to VCD in my case), now if you do use VBR for example on a VCD, then it will no longer be standard, meaning it might not play on your DVD.
so check it out before you do it!