Mpg vs Mpg2 with the same capture bitrate

[Speed Racer]

If i capture (or encode) to an mpg1 file using the same bitrate as a svcd mpeg2, will it be the same quality as an mpeg2 only in 352x240? I'm guessing it's not, so what would be a bitrate setting for mpg1 that would be approx the same quality as an mpeg2. I know the resulting file wont be svcd or vcd compliant, i guess i was just wondering if a file encoded at a given bitrate would be the same quality in either format, mpg1 vs mpg2

[mpb]

The answer is that you want to encode in mpeg2 if you're playing around with bitrates.

Either type can encode at any rate, but MPEG1 is not useful unless it's 1150kbps CBR etc etc the VCD and DVD standard. MPEG2 is not useful unless it's 2000kbps or more, which is used for SVCD and DVD standard.

but in the theoretical exercise where you encode them both at the same bitrate, mpeg2 is going to give you a bigger file but a better output.

[Nelson37]

Remember that neither MPG1 nor MPG2 is linked to any particular bitrate or resolution. The general consensus, and my experience, indicates that mpg1 is slightly better at bitrates around 1500 or lower, at higher levels they are pretty close. ALso, MPG1 does not support interlace, so resolution does come into play, unless source is progressive.

Many variables here, w/MMC 7.1, hi-bitrate (8000-12000) caps looked better in MPG1, when I changed to MMC 7.5, MPG2 looked better. Note that this says nothing about the relative merits of either, it is just to point out that many factors come into play.

[mpb]

Well, you can encode mpeg1 at higher than 1150k, but what the hell are you going to play it on? 99% of the time, people encoding are doing so in order to watch the video on a set-top. It's ALREADY encoded so that they can play it on their computer, after all. No sense re-encoding to a nonstandard bitrate that only their computer can read.

I know, I know, XVCD/XSVCD. But those are not standard. Not everyone uses an Apex for playback, etc. The average guy burning video to a disc wants to be able to play it back reliably on as many players as possible.
Usually for archiving purposes, if you're going to encode to mpeg1, you want either VCD standard, or you want to match the valid DVD resolution to add it to a DVD.

If you're encoding mpeg1 at 1500, you're producing a stream that isn't really usable in a lot of applications and players.

Conversely if you're encoding mpeg2 at less than 2k, what's the point? Anything from 2k-9.8k is fine for DVD... the lowest end of that is fine for SVCD...

[Speed Racer]

I was only wondering if an mpg1 was encoded at (for example) 2500 would it have near the same quality as mpg2 encoded at 2500. I dont care about vcd, svcd, xvcd, etc, im not trying to be compliant with anything. i was just curious if there was that big of a difference in quality between mpg1 & mpg2 at a bitrate of (for example) 2500. Thanks for responding to my question mpb & nelson37, peace.

[stalker11]

I have asked myself that very question in the past, personally, I have found that mpeg2 is better at higher bitrates, and mpeg1 is better at lower bitrates. Mpeg2, encoded at 2500kbps could still have some mpeg artifacts, while for me, mpeg1 at 2500kbps was rather clear.

I suggest you just get a high quality video from a dvd for example, and encode about a minute using different bitrates, in both mpeg 1 and 2 and see for yourself what looks better.