A very Noobie Question about VCDEasy and converted file size

[MrCairo]

Hello All,

I'm a new learner here and I think I'm close...but I need a little help. I have a VCD that is using .dat type files and not "official" .mpg format, thus my DVD player doesn't recognize it's even there. So...what I'm trying to do is convert the .dat files to normal .mpg and then burn to a disc.
I was able to extract the 2 files from the original VCD using ".mpg tools" with VCDEasy software. But here's the problem, the combined files now in .mpg format are a total of 786mb..? I'm not sure how or why they're so big. The original VCD is under 700mb...So when I tried to burn them using Easy CD Creator 5 Plat. it wouldn't let me and showed that the video bit rate was 1700kb per sec (I'm trying to remember here but I think that's the right number...I know the 1700kb is right)
So is VCDEasy bumping up the bit rate durring conversion? And if so is there a way to change it?
If anyone has any ideas "PLEASE" let me know, it will be very appreciated!

Thanks for listening,

MrCairo

[wee haggis]

EZ CD Creator won't burn it because its probably a non compliant setting.
Anyway...I use VCDEasy to burn it .
It burns anything whether its compliant or not.
You can get VCDGEAR to convert from .DAT to MPEG.

[MrCairo]

Thanks for the reply!

Well I downloaded VCD Gear and converted the .dat file to a .mpg format and the file is 782mb! Why is that? Is it the video bit rate? There's got to be a software program that will allow you to adjust it if it is.(i would think)
Like I said before...the original VCD I'm working with is "under" 700mb(693mb to be exact), so why are all the programs that I use making it larger when I go from .dat to .mpg?

Any ideas...?

MC

ps - the length of the .dat/mpg is 49m15s so I'm thinking it "should" be able to be fit on a normal cd within the 700mb limit. Right...?

[wee haggis]

If its 782 mb,then that should just about fit on a 80min blank CD (up to 800mb).So,just burn it as is!!

[MrCairo]

Thanks...I'm trying to. Nero keeps freezing on me when I try and Easy CD Creator 5 Plat. keeps telling me the file is too big.
So I'm looking for another software that will work. Any one have a suggestion to try?

Thanks to 1 & All for the help!

MrCairo

8)

[Martyn1980]

a dat file is a mpeg, all VCD's use dat files, and when it comes to Video CD's dont look at the MB, look at the amount of mins on the disc as a better indication of how much it holds.

The best way is to open up the dat file in VCD Easys Cdxa2mpeg and convert it to a true Mpeg which will be a bit smaller than the dat file, and you can then add it to any VCD Authoring program, though i recommend using VCD Easy as it free and one of the best.

[Martyn1980]

Nero is ok but can be basic and a bit buggy, avoid Easy CD Creator its too commercial for my liking and a bit crap in my opinion, both these programs do mostly everything related to CD burning, which usually means they dont do any one thing very good, TSCV and VCD Easy are great products but VCD Easy is easier to use as the name implies

Heres a few links in case you dont have them

http://www.vcdeasy.org/

http://www.tscv.org/

Start with VCD Easy and if you want a few more advanced things use TSCV

Hope this helps

[MrCairo]

Yes I think your right...unfortunately VCDEasy doesn't recognize my burner drive (Lite-On) so that's why I've been trying other software. I have the .dat file all converted to "official" Mpeg and ready to go. I think the time stamp is just at 46min, so nothing huge. The Mpeg still weighs in at 782mb though, but from what I've read that should still burn on a 80min cd in VCD 2.0 format. The trick is finding the software that will work with my cdr drive I guess.

Thanks for your help...this forum is Great!

MC

8)

[wee haggis]

I think VCDEASY should recognize any burner....
you may have to make sure that the Generic-mmc driver is set

[Martyn1980]

You could try to force the driver in VCD Easy but i have tried that and it doesn't work for me.

Just create the VCD in VCD Easy as if it did work and just uncheck the burn box and just create an image file instead, when thats done just use something like Blindwrite, CDRWIN or maybe even Nero to burn the image file.

I personally use Blindwrite as its easy to use and has a nice little demo of it

http://blindwrite.vso-software.fr/download.htm

[MrCairo]

Thanks for the ideas...I'll try it and see what happens. One of these times it's gotta work right? : )

Have a good night!

MC

8)

[Akai Rounin]

I recently bought a LITEON 32x10x40 CD-R/W Drive for my Brother's PC. It works fine with VCDEasy. Of course, I Force Driver generic-mmc-raw to get it to work in WinXP. It's a good idea to Force Execution in the CDRDAO settings as well. Also, make sure that CDRDAO is activated within VCDEasy by going to Settings | VCDEasy | External Applications Location and placing a check in the box labeled Enable CDRDAO Integration.

HUN-YA!

Akai Rounin

[MrCairo]

Thanks Akai I'll check my settings. My LiteOn is a little over a year old and a bit slower burner than yours but hopefully it's compatable as well.
I'll give it a try and repost.

Thanks to "all" for the help!

MrCairo

8)