When to convert to VCD vs SVCD

[jzchief]

Ok this is probably an easy one but....

how do I know when to convert my Divx avi movie to SVCD versus VCD.

I have been converting to SVCD thus far and some of my movies poor quality. Is there a specific Frame size, fps, or anything else I should look for?? I just guess now.

Also, is Virtual Dub/TMPGE the best to convert Divx to SVCD or should I look at the other methods.

Thanks

j

[dcdeveloperx]

I dont think there is a real way to know, but if the video looks like it is higher quality, svcd proberly is the way to go, virtual dub and tmpeg are the best in my opinion. flask mpeg is good sometimes....

[hwoodwar]

I would look at the resolution of the original avi. You can do this by doing a properties on the avi in virtualdub. Then if the file resolution is closest to VCD resolution (NTSC 352 x 240/PAL 352 x 288) encode for VCD, if it is closest to SVCD resolution (NTSC 480 x 480/PAL 480 x 576) or higher encode to SVCD format.

[hwoodwar]

On your later question, I have read many posts at this site and it seems to me that the general consensus is VirtualDub and TMPGenc (or possibly Cinema Craft Encoder, I'm not postive it supports DIVX and the multipass version costs approx $2000) is the best way to encode to SVCD format.

[EddyH]

If it's really wide-screen, then it might be better to go for SVCD... otherwise you may end up with a picture of maybe 160, 144 vertical pixels or less with big black borders, which could suck some... SVCD (or CVD) will give twice the vertical res (288, 320...), and as the borders are so big for extra wide screen, the bit rate won't have to be crippling!

VCD probably better than SVCD for full screen or small borders (200+ lines), unless it's something that would really benefit from the extra rez or bitrate/compression isnt a problem.

I dunno

[isogonic]

if you are doing it for quality, your final product is only as good as the source.