TMPG Enc---Need answers all you Geniuses

[nba_bill]

2 questions and thanks in advance for all of your help.

#1--On the Settings while converting an avi file to mpeg1 or mpeg2 under the Advanced Tab "Source Aspect Ratio"--Do I set this to what I want my movie to come out in or should this be set to the ACTUAL size of the Movie (avi file) and if so what effect would this cause if its set to the wrong setting???

#2--"Field Order" in the Advanced tab also. Any Recommendations?? I always leave it as Bottom field First (field B) is that Correct? And if it is set wrong what would the effect be??

#3--What Filters are useful when Converting that make a difference in the outcome??

Thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions it is well appreciated!!!! Bill

[kinneera]

1) Source aspect ratio should be set the the actual size of the movie contained in the AVI. Resizing is accomplished using the aspect ratio dropdown field below, in conjunction with the aspect ratio setting in the main tab.

2) Field order refers to which interlacing field is processed first (I believe). The default seems to work just fine, and this option is completely irrelevant if your source video is progressive.

3) This question is too general. It depends on what you want to accomplish. If you have interlaced source video, and you aren't converting to interlaced MPEG2, you will want to use the deinterlace filter. The noise reduction filter is also very effective on lowlight scenes, especially on lower quality VHS tapes, but will require a lot of additional processing time. Generally, your choice of filters will depend on what you are trying to accomplish.

[Jeomite]

Here's some answers...

#1-- Source Aspect Ratio means what is the aspect ratio of video SOURCE, *not* what will the aspect ratio of the OUTCOME. If you set this wrong, the output will look bad or irregular.

#2-- Field Order is USUALLY Top field First (Field A). *BUT* here's how to find out. First set it to Field B and check the DeInterlace checkbox. Double-Click the DeInterlace checkbox, and set it to Even-Odd Field. Enable the filter.. and scan to the middle of the video (while in the DeInterlace options window). If you notice jitterly video; like if the video steps on frame forward, and back one frame. You got the wrong Field. Set it to the Field A.

#3--The filters will only be helpful if you need them. Otherwise don't enable any filters; they make the encoding process even longer.

[lnetzel]

The first 2 questions are already answered.

#3. I have found that I use the Source Range filter a lot before I encode the whole movie. I set a clip or 15 seconds during several parts of the movie and make test encodings to see if the video and A/V sync is alright. very useful I think.

[nba_bill]

Thanks for the answers guys. 1 more question though, what if you have an "Odd" Video Perspective in the .avi file?? What then would you set it too. Also When you select for example 4:3 NTSC on the Source does that mean the frame rate must me 29? Thanks once again!!!

[flaninacupboard]

when it comes to "odd" perspectives (such as converting a .mov) i set source to 1:1 VGA, full screen [keep aspect ratio] and the output to standard 4:3. this will give me an mpeg that looks widescreen (if the mov was that shape) or with black at the left and right (if it was like that).