Max Length of a SVCD????

[gandalfthegrey]

I have some divx and xvid files i would like to convert to SVCD's. I know how to do it, and I have tried a few times and it has worked. But I can only get 39 mins on a CD. Is this normal? Or can I get more on somehow? I am using VirtualDub and TMPGEnc to do the conversion. Please let me know if and how I can get more time on a CD.

Andrew Spearns

[Baldrick]

Just lower the video bitrate. Are you using the wizard in tmpgenc or the standard svcd settings?

[gandalfthegrey]

I am using the Standard SVCD Setting.....SVCD(NTCS Film)

Is the wizard better?

[ZippyP.]

I use 2-pass VBR to get about 50 minutes on one CD with an average bitrate of 1800, I don't like to go lower. CBR I don't like to go below 2200. Your preferences/results may vary. 8)

[gandalfthegrey]

OK...I am figuring out how to use the wizard options. What is Constant Quality like? Will I be able to get 50 mins on a CD? Also, my original files are widescreen, how can I set up the encoder to keep the movie widescreen???

[Bravoxena]

I usually set my bitrate between 1600-1900 depending on the length of the movie. This way, I can get a good quality movie on 2 CDs. I don't usually go high on bitrate because my DVD player won't handle it.
I use CBR (constant bit rate) because it's simple and fast.

As for the widescreen stuff... click "setting" on the main window of TMPGEnc and under the advanced tab, make sure your *Source Aspect Ratio* is "16:9 display" and your video arrange method is "full screen (keep aspect ratio 2)".

Hope this helps!

[ZippyP.]

OK...I am figuring out how to use the wizard options. What is Constant Quality like? Will I be able to get 50 mins on a CD? Also, my original files are widescreen, how can I set up the encoder to keep the movie widescreen???

CQ is a type of VBR, it's twice as fast as 2-pass but the filesize is unpredictable. For predicatable filesize I recommend 2-pass, I do all my encoding overnight.

In advanced settings, for video arrange method select Full Screen (Keep Aspect Ratio) to preserve the original movie display.

8)

[ZippyP.]

I usually set my bitrate between 1600-1900 depending on the length of the movie.

If you used those settings for the average in 2-pass VBR (min 500, max 2500) your results would be much better. It would take twice as long however, too each his/her own.

[gandalfthegrey]

OK....I am going to try this overnight and see how it turns out in the morning. I used the Standard Setting for SVCD(NTSCFILM), and changed the bitrate to a smaller value, and to 2 pass vbr. Hopefully it will work.

Thanks....