What TMPG system setting to use?

[scottrempel]

Should I be using the "Video CD (non-standard)" or the "System (VBR)" setting in TMPG for doing XVCD's. I have been doing XVCD's for a while now and have been using the non-standard setting. My problem is that sometimes when I encode the file size is way less than it is supposed be (like 600 instead of 800MB). I also crop my widescreen movies so I get the nice black bars and was wondering if this affects the size and how would I account for this in my bitrate calculation.

If anybody can help me with these questions or suggest other possible errors I would be very thankful. There is nothing worse than only putting 600MB on a disk that can hold 800MB's.

[puertorican138]

Should I be using the "Video CD (non-standard)" or the "System (VBR)" setting in TMPG for doing XVCD's. I have been doing XVCD's for a while now and have been using the non-standard setting. My problem is that sometimes when I encode the file size is way less than it is supposed be (like 600 instead of 800MB). I also crop my widescreen movies so I get the nice black bars and was wondering if this affects the size and how would I account for this in my bitrate calculation.

If anybody can help me with these questions or suggest other possible errors I would be very thankful. There is nothing worse than only putting 600MB on a disk that can hold 800MB's.

Definately "Video CD (Non-Standard)" as XVCD is basically a non-standard VCD with a non-compliant bitrate. :P

[puertorican138]

XVCD stands for eXtendedVCD. XVCD has same features as VCD but it is possible to use higher bitrates and higher resolution to get higher video quality. XVCD is basicly everything that uses MPEG1 video, is not within the VCD standard and burnt in "VCD"-Mode. :P

[scottrempel]

Thanks for the reply, but I have done like 50 XVCD's and am very aware of the basics. My main concern is the low file sizes I am getting.
If somebody with some more knowledge had any ideas I would like to here from you.

Thanks in advance.