Non-interlaced and interlaced...what's the difference?

[JennyBear]

Which is a TV...interlaced? or non-interlaced? And what is a computer monitor?

Thanks,

Jenny

[Don2050]

TV = Interlaced

PC = Progressive(Non-Interlaced)

[JennyBear]

Wow, that was fast...

Thanks, Don!

Jenn

[Conquest10]

you'll notice the difference once you see both.

[wingfan]

TV = Interlaced

PC = Progressive(Non-Interlaced)

So when converting an avi file to mpeg using TMPGEnc, the video type should be changed to interlaced if you wanna create a VCD to play in your DVD player?

I just converted an avi to mpeg using non-interlaced, but havent tried it in a DVD player yet... will it be bad quality as compared to interlaced?

[Don2050]

I just converted an avi to mpeg using non-interlaced, but havent tried it in a DVD player yet... will it be bad quality as compared to interlaced?

the 'encode mode' on the first page of the settings in TMPGEnc should be set to 'interlaced' if you plan on making something to watch on a TV....the 'Video Source Type' under the 'Advanced' tab should be whatever your source file is...ie interlaced if it is a TV Capture or Non-Interlaced(progressive) if from DVD or film, or anyother progressive file. So their are 2 different interlace settings....what the source file is already, and what you want it to be encoded to. Source=>Target.

[wingfan]

thanks for clearing that up..

does it make a big difference (noticeable) if I left it on non-interlaced? should i burn another cd (interlaced as per your instructions)?

also i posted this in the forum, the avi file had an image size of 624x320, but when i dragged the file into Nero to burn the video size said 320x240. is this correct? will it look good on a 27" tv set?

[Cornucopia]

What you should do is try your best to match SOURCE format with TARGET DISPLAY type, keeping in mind the capabilities of INTERIM and STORAGE formats.

So, the best matches of all worlds would be either:
Source=DV Video,
Digitize=>DV AVI file
Encode,Author,Burn=>DVD or SVCD in INTERLACED format
Player=DVD or SVCD player
Display=TV

or

Source=Film
Digitize=>Progressive Digital Telecine LosslesslyCompressed Progressive AVI/QT file
*****otherwise,
*****Digitize=>Telecine & Capture Card & then ITVC
Encode,Author,Burn=>DVD or SVCD in PROGRESSIVE format
w/ Pulldown, or VCD (FILM)
Player=Progressive DVD player or Computer DVD/SVCD/VCD Player Software
Display=Computer Monitor or Progressive TV


BTW, 320x240 won't be as sharp as 624x320 (also is diff aspect ratio), but then 624x320 is less standardized than 320x240. Even 320x240 isn't official std rez for VCD, SVCD, CVD, or DVD.
Depending on the available bitrate, it may or may not look as good or better than 624x320. Example: at lower bitrate, 624x320 will stress the codec (and resulting quality) more than 320x240. In that case, 320x240 would be fuzzier resolution, but less artifacts.
Will it look good? Depends on YOUR definition of good.

Scott

[Don2050]

wingfan,

I have never actually tested a non-interlaced encode on a TV I have always chose interlaced....I guess try a small clip author it and burn it CD-RW and test and see...

The reason Nero changes the resolution from 624x320 to 320x240 is because the VCD standard calls for a resolution of 320x240, nothing else will work. EDIT: Their may be other resolutions that work, but it is around the 352x240 or something close to that that VCD's use, sorry for the uncertainty. That is why SVCD is so much more preferable and better, it does not have the same stringent requrements as VCD. What I have noticed with decreased resolutions like 320x240 is that it makes the movie blurry...I constantly feel like I do not have my glasses on, even when I do. For me this is annoying, for others they do not mind so much. Also, again do to VCD standards inflexibility you will notice heavy pixelation in high motion scenes...again this is very annoying to me, but to others it doesnt seem to matter.

My advise would be, it sounds like you are using Nero to encode your VCD's ???, this is generally not a good thing, as their are many better free encoders(TMPGenc for one) that can do this. Also their are VCD templates made by people to get the best quality out of VCD's...their are some on this site somewhere. If you are satisfied with VCD however and Nero encoding, then by all means stick with it.....but I think if you already havnt that the blurriness and pixelation will lead you to other methods of encoding and perhaps other formats(SVCD/XVCD)

EDIT:EDIT:

VCD - Video CD 2.0:
Audio Specifications
Audio: MPEG-1, Layer-II
Bit Rate: fixed at 224kbps
Audio Channels: 1 stereo or 2 mono
Surround Sound: Stereo with Dolby pro-logic
Video Specifications
Video: MPEG-1
Bit Rate: 1.15 mbps (1177.6 kbps)
Resolution NTSC: 352 x 240
Resolution PAL: 352 x 288

Video Refresh Rate
PAL: 25 images/second
NTSC: 29.97 images/second
Movie: 23.976 images/second

Still Picture
Type: MPEG-1
NTSC: 352 x 240, 704 x 480
PAL: 352 x 288, 704 x 576

Additional values VCD
Total audio/video bitrate: 1401.6 kbps
Sector Rate: Fixed to 75Hz
CD Sector size: 2352
CD packet size: 2324 video
CD packet size: 2304 audio
CDDA Tracks: Optional
CDI subdirectory: Mandatory
Overlay Graphics and Text: Not used

[wingfan]

Im using Nero only to burn the mpg. I use TMPGEnc to convert the avi to mpg first.

Where can I get templates? Basically here are the specs for my avi file:

image size 624x320
audio bitrate 96 kps
audio mpeg 3 layer
video framerate 29 sec
sample size 24 bit
data rate 135 kps
compression divx

with those specs can you tell me what template to use? i want to play the VCD in a DVD player, and the tv screen is a 27".

thanks for your help on this, much appreciated.

[Don2050]

http://www.vcdhelp.com/tools

Go down to....

TMPGEnc Templates Description, unzip and extract the .mcf files to the TMPGEnc's folder Template

You are on your own from here, I have generally stayed away from VCD's and dont have much experience with them...I got a DVD burner and most my experience is with DVD complient MPEG2 encoding.

Goodluck

Incase: http://www.vcdhelp.com/tmpgencexplained.htm

[ImaWeTodd]

I don't use TMPGEnc, nor do I create VCDs.

However, I believe the VCD standard does not support interlaced video. I'm not sure what you get selecting all of those TMPGEnc options. If your source is interlaced, it must be changing it to progressive.

I did a forum search for VCD and interlaced and found this quote from a knowledgable source:

VCD is always progressive, it cannot be interlaced. You do not need to deinterlace to make a VCD, simply feed the encoder your interlaced file, and it will be converted to VCD. The process of frame resizing will make any video source, interlaced or not, the new VCD frame size. Tmpgenc uses both fields to make a new frame for the VCD file, so there is no need for deinterlacing. Simply select the VCD template and start encoding

There were also some objections to this that on rare ocations there is a better way to deinterlace your source.

[wingfan]

now im really confused... i shouldn't change to interlaced for tv viewing of a VCD??? just leave the settings as is, and convert with TMPGEnc?

[ImaWeTodd]

wingfan

A Suggestion:

- Buy a CD-RW. Run a bunch of short test (say 5 min with movement) changing 1 option at a time until you know what works and what does not.

If you have a problem, people can be very helpful. If you want to learn a method that works for you, you gotta try some things and see the results.

How about those VCDs you made? They look good on that 27" TV?

[Don2050]

Tmpgenc uses both fields to make a new frame for the VCD file, so there is no need for deinterlacing. Simply select the VCD template and start encoding

I believe this source is talking about the specific 'de-interlace' function within TMPGenc, I believe he is saying do not use the de-interlace function...but the encode mode and video type still need to be set.....which by default of the VCD template within it...they are as they should be and usually dont need to be adjusted.

hope this clears things up....anyone correct me if I am wrong

but either way Imawetodd is correct in saying you shuld run short clip tests....with a CD-RW and see yourself....that is the only certain way.

[wingfan]

Ok here is my update :

I burned 2 VCDs.. these are the settings I used in TMPGEnc

cd 1

source - non interlaced, 1:1 VGA
other settings/advanced - non interlaced, 1:1 VGA, full screen (keep aspect ratio)

then burned with NERO and played in DVD player. Result was very good..

cd 2

followed instructions as per link http://www.vcdhelp.com/tmpgencexplained.htm

closed wizard, video size changed to 320x240, aspect ratio 4:3 525 NTSC
advanced tab - video source interlaced, source aspect 4:3 525 NTSC, video method full screen (keep aspect ratio).

then burned with NERO BUT got a pop up saying that it needed to be re-encoded.. I click on turn off compliance and burn anyways BUT Nero didnt listen, it re-encoded the video then burned it (taking about 45 min to do so). anyways played this in DVD player and it doesnt look as good as cd 1.

so conclusion is, just leave the settings as is in the wizard and the VCD looks fine.