SVCD vs CVD vs VCD

[JamesB69]

I know what they are and all but would like to start a thread with the pros and cons of each. As far as i know, the best use of VCD is when converting from a low quality source. Also VCd has the highest compatibility, then svcd, then cvd(correct me if im wrong).

1. What sources and uses are the best for each format.

2. CVD can have higher bits per pixel but has a lower resolution. Which is higher quality at the same bitrate, SVCD or CVD?

3. Is it feasible to take a 2hour+ divx and put it on two svcds and yeild a higher quality than putting it on two vcds?

Put answers to these questions along with any other opinions, info on these standards.

[hwoodwar]

JamesB69 and others:

OK here goes, I am opening the "can of worms"!

As far as your numbered questions:

1. This is very subjective I expect you will get differing answers on this. I personally use VCD for encoding videos, movies, captures that are of marginal quality because a higher resolution will probably not increase the quality. I use CVD for general capture, of previously recorded tapes and directly from my tuner card (due to the slightly lower resolution it allows me to get a few more minutes on the CD), I use SVCD for DVD rips.

2. This is debatable also, I know there are some posts that say CVD is higher quality for the same bitrate, and explain why, see http://www.vcdhelp.com/forum/userguides/98177.php there is some comparisons in about the middle of the article. Others say SVCD at the same bitrate is higher quality

3. I don't really deal with DIVX, but since VCD has a fixed video bitrate of 1150 kbits/sec and you can lower the bitrate of an SVCD and still be inside the standard, that SVCD video bitrate would still be higher than 1150 kbits/sec, approx 1580 kbits/sec (for the SVCD w/224kbits/sec sound) and therefore yield better quality.

Lastly, "my" own opinion is that VCD has the highest compatibility, then CVD, then SVCD. I have no way whatsoever to verify this (the CVD vice SVCD.) My thinking is along the lines that
1. Manufacturers rarely advertise, or stamp CVD compatability on their proucts.
2. All DVD players can play some type of MPEG-2 file, since DVDs are recorded in MPEG-2 format
3. CVD resolution is also called half-DVD resolution
4. Since all DVD players can play cam play MPEG-2 files and CVD resolution is "half-DVD" (which I believe all dvd players are required to be able to play that resolution) then I believe there are probably "some" (not all) DVD players out there that are not setup for SVCD, but can play CVDs.
5. Also, as far as the DVD players lists, like the one here, they sometimes rely heavily on user input. Many people are not even aware of a CVD standard and do not test for compatability.
6. Although it is not required in the United States, I have never heard of an player that plays SVCDs that will not play CVDs.

[vitualis]

VCD definitely has the highest compatibility.

Next is SVCD and thereafter CVD.

The SVCD specs is supposed to be a "compatibility" standard and players are supposed to be able to play CVD.

However, in the thread started by SatStorm, it is obvious that some players can play SVCD fine but not CVD.

Of course, since most people are creating "CVD" by simplying slotting in a CVD spec MPEG-2 file into a SVCD authoring proggy, they aren't really making a CVD so it is kind of hard to be sure...

As for quality, I suggest going through the old threads.

VCD has approximate quality to VHS. There are tons of newbies who have posted that VCD is noticeably worse than VHS. The only thing that I can suggest is that these people haven't really bothered trying to make a high quality one (and IMHO, TMPGEnc on the standard VCD templates does not produce the best quality VCD spec MPEG-1 files).

A well made VCD will on average look as good as VHS. ON AVERAGE means that some material look better on the VCD than on VHS. Some material is better on VHS than on VCD. Overall, it is about the same. Audio quality on VCD is stereo near CD-quality and hence tons better than VHS.

Both CVD and SVCD looks probably about as good as SVHS. On your average TV and non-critical eyes, some people reckon it is as good as DVD (I don't, but you can fool the casual observer).

As to which looks better, that is not easy to say.

CVD has greater number of bits per pixel at the same bitrate as SVCD so you are less likely to see degradation from the MPEG compression (i.e., blocking, loss of detail, etc.) At some bitrates (especially lower ones), this alone means that CVD can look superior to the same bitrate SVCD.

However, SVCD has a higher overall resolution. This means, if the bitrate can support the video, then pictures on SVCD look sharper. Also, as the framesize is less skewed, there is less of an aliasing problem with straight lines.

There is also the consideration of the video material and your TV.

Regards.