tmpg 2 pass vbr

[fmctm1sw]

I am experimenting with this and came across this one question:

If I am changing (increasing) the bitrate settings (min/max/average), what difference is there in encoding the video stream to mpg-1 or mpg-2? In other words:

I used 500 min/2500 avg/ 5000 max and encoded to mpg-1. What difference would there have been if I used the same settings and encoded to mpg-2?

[LeeBear]

MPEG2 was design for higher bitrates and doesn't work well with low bitrates like MPEG1 was designed for. If your bitrate is high enough like your settings shows, MPEG2 will probably give you a better quality.

-LeeBear

[SatStorm]

Before 18 months, there was a conversation for this matter in this forum. The conclusion was that "mpeg 2 not good for low bitrates" is a myth if the output of mpeg 2 is progressive (not interlace).
I can confirm that: Using mpeg 2 and mpeg 1 @ the same resolution with the same bitrate, produce the same results. But there is a problem: This is possible only with advance/pro equipment. The encoding programs for mpeg 2 are not as good as those for mpeg 1 and that makes the difference in quality.

Technically speaking, mpeg 2 is just an extention of mpeg 1: Different file headers, different multiplexxing, interlace support, multiangle support. But the basis is the same. For most standalones, mpeg 1 is just a nule mpeg 2, and in a way it is.

That is for the mpeg not the standards (vcd, cvd, svcd, Dvd). Only VCD and DVD use mpeg 1, while CVD, SVCD and Dvd use mpeg 2. So, the point is not only what mpeg 1/2 are capable to do, but how they can be used. With mpeg 1 you are limited in this matter.