How do I adjust bitrate?

[Brad1140]

I have video clips from Virtual Dub and I want to convert with TMPGEnc.
I want to make SVCD's that will play on my Panasonc DVD player.
I am somewhat new to this but I understand I need to lower the bit rate on the SVCD so the DVD can play it.
At what point of the authoring do I adjust the bit rate,were and how do I do it with these programs.
I burn with Nero.
Thanks,Brad

[weeyoo]

in tmpgenc, you do this under "settings", use the wizard, it has some good defaults, then it will allow adjusting the birate and will calculate the file size for you. which is helpful. higher birate will mean better quality.

[DJRumpy]

If your converting from DVD to SVCD, and you want a standard SVCD, you will need to make sure the bitrate is no higher than 2748. That inlcludes the audio. For example

Video: 2524kbs
Audio: 224kbs

Total Bitrate: 2748

The bitrate can be changed using the SETTINGS button. The setting is on the VIDEO tab: Rate Control Mode

[Brad1140]

I really want to convert my mpgs saved with Virtual Dub.
They are family videos taken with my video camera.
I want to make them svcds and play them on my Panasonic DVD .
I know there is an issue with playing these on my player. That is the bitrate I want to achieve so they will play on my DVD player.
The mpeg 1 videos look like carp. And a test video I burned from a file on this site in svcd looks great! But it would freeze on my DVD player.

[kaisha23]

Quick question. How did you create the SVCD? I am trying to do exactly the same thing and have had problems with the quality of VCDs. I have tmpgenc 2.57 but I can't use the mpeg2 section as it has expired. Does the burning software make the difference?

[DJRumpy]

I'm not sure what you mean by 'create'. To actually burn them, I use Nero. Just drag your MPEG2 into nero, and burn it. It's the same as a VCD. If you mean create as in how to get the MPEG2, use the SVCD Template in TMPGenc as a starting point, and then tweak the settings until your happy with the preview. Just remember that not all standalone players support SVCD, and most do not support xSVCD, so if you go outside of the SVCD standard, your taking your chances.

[kaisha23]

mpeg-2 is required to create SVCDs however my version of tmpgenc has expired? Is there any other software that can do this or can I buy the software somewhere? I have heard I should use 2.56 but I can't find a copy of it anywhere.

[Brad1140]

Just uninstall and redownload.
Or get another shareware program.
They are listed on vcdhelp.com.
Do you want to make svcds for your dvd standalone.
If so let me know the setting you end up with.I have see both vcds and svcds and the svcds are far superior. Almost like a DVD.
But I need to get the right settings.

[LeeBear]

Brad1140: Are you sure bitrate is your problem? I have a Panasonic RV32 and a RP62 and they don't play SVCD without using the header trick. Both those players handle the standard SVCD bitrate of 2520kbps without a problem after using the header trick. As for getting the best quality most would agree that using a multipass VBR encoding will give you the best quality at a reasonably low bitrate (ie 50-60 minutes per CD).

-LeeBear

[Brad1140]

LeeBear,
Thanks,I see now what the heck the problem might be.
Just yesterday I was reading about the header.(Iam a newbie but learning fast)
Now I inderstand the importance of the header.I will go back an practice with the header.

[Brad1140]

Can you tell me again exactly what the header trick is you used.
Brad

[DJRumpy]

Look here for info on the header trick:

http://www.geocities.com/newestmoviesencode/dvdvcd