newbie question - please help

[vidnewbie]

Hi there,

I sucessfully burned my first home made music video on a disc (vcd). I have a few questions, would really appreciate some help.

This is what I did:

I made a 3 minute movie using pinnacle studios from my DV camcorder. I saved it as a mpeg and used TMPGEnc to convert it to vcd format. I then used NERO to burn it on a disc.

Questions:


1. The first thing i noticed about the video is the poor resolution quality. I also notice that although i saved the video at a 720 X 480 screen, when TMPGEnc converts it to vcd format, it becomes 1/3 of its file size at 352 X 240. Is this the problem, that the window is stretched - causing the poor resolution? What can i do to save the movie at best quality?how can i improve on the quality?

2. I realize that pinnacle studios is a very basic diting software. Anyone tried using adobe premiere? Is it much better?




thanks!


jon

[vidnewbie]

one more thing, to get the best results when burning a movie as vcd, is it better to save it as mpeg or AVI or any other better formats - before using TMPGEnc to convert it?

thanks

[fantomlord]

352X240 is VCD resolution.
for best quality, you should capture to uncompressed, or to a lossless codec--HUFFYUV--before converting with TMPG
also, for better quality, you should use either SVCD, or XVCD with higher bitrates--assuming your standalone will handle either format.
look through the how to's and cruise the forums--they're both full of good information and tips.
good luck

[vidnewbie]

Thanks for the input.

Now at what stage do i lose quality? after editing and saving it to MPEG or when TMPGEnc converts it to vcd format?

Here are some options that i have, please help.

1. Since i use Pinnacle as my editor- it allows me to save in AVI, MPEG1 and MPEG2. Which do i choose for best quality ? If i save it in MPEG2, it allows resolutions up to 720 x 480.

2. Any particular setting in TMPGEnc that would make a difference in the quality?


The funny thing is im using a DV as my source, i would think that the quality would be much better.

[fantomlord]

Thanks for the input.

Now at what stage do i lose quality? after editing and saving it to MPEG or when TMPGEnc converts it to vcd format?

Here are some options that i have, please help.

1. Since i use Pinnacle as my editor- it allows me to save in AVI, MPEG1 and MPEG2. Which do i choose for best quality ? If i save it in MPEG2, it allows resolutions up to 720 x 480.

2. Any particular setting in TMPGEnc that would make a difference in the quality?

The funny thing is im using a DV as my source, i would think that the quality would be much better.

Capture as 480X480 mpeg2
you should be able to burn this as a compliant SVCD.
you might need to demux, then remux with BBMPG (look at the how to section) before you burn

[bruce48]

I also use Pinnacle S7 and I capture at full DV; output my final project to AVI at the max which is 720 x 480 using the default "DV Video Encoder" and then use the SVCD template from TMPGenc to generate an mpg which can be burned via Nero.
The latest S7 is version 7.15.
For me the results are outstanding but this is very subjective so try it and good luck,
bk