Non-compliant resolutions (DVB & SATV)

[DRP]

I've been using SVCD spec resolution MPEG-2 files on DVD with no problem for a very long time and like the end result a lot. Recently I decided to try some other resolutions I found referenced, and to my surprise discovered that all the DVD players I have to test them in had no problem playing them properly. In summary I can basically encode to VCD, CVD, SVCD, DVB (528x576), SATV (544x576) & DVD spec and burn them to either CD-RW or DVD+RW and they play perfectly well in any player I have access to.

All of which got me thinking. What other non-standard resolutions are out there that most generic MPEG-2 decoding chips will not stumble over when asked to play? Are there anymore resolutions can that can be used apart from the 528 & 544 ones I've only recently discovered?

[guns1inger]

480 x 480 is pretty common, as is 480 x 576. Both seem to work on a lot of players. I suspect most modern players will play most mpeg files, although they may get the AR completely right. Older players might struggle.

My current Pioneer won't play straight mpeg files, even if DVD compliant, although my LG will play pretty much any mpg file I throw at it. My very first Pioneer would not play SVCD material authored to DVD out of spec correctly. The AR would be skewed into one corner, but my current one plays them fine.

[Midzuki]

So far, my 3-year old LG does have supported
(besides the ones you already mentioned):

--- 320x240;

--- 432x320;

--- 480x352;

--- 512x384;

--- 528x400;

--- 560x400;

--- 576x432;

--- 512x480;

--- 560x480;

--- 640x480;

P.S.: Interesting --- 480x352 compresses better than 352x480
under the same maximum bitrate (2500kbps ~ 2800 kbps).

===

[DRP]

WOW! Is the LG player just a conventional DVD player only or is it an MPEG-4 (DivX) player?

[DRP]

My current Pioneer won't play straight mpeg files

I'm sorry, I don't think I was clear enough. I was not talking about playing just straight MPEG files burnt to disc as data like you would do for an MPEG-4 player type machine. No, I'm still talking about using a conventional DVD player here and discs burnt in VCD format for CD and authored in DVD format for DVD.

[Midzuki]

LG 7352N.

No, it's not an MP4 player, it is only an MPEG-1/2-compliant
DVD-Video player. Besides MP3 files and DTS-audio, it also supports
JPEG pictures and Windows Media Audio
(as long as it is not enabled to playback SVCD, "bien entendu").
Accepts cDVDs and PAL-content as well.

=====

[DRP]

That's quite a special player you have there then! Mine seems to get it's lead from what type of disc it is from the vertical resolution. It won't recognise anything as a VCD unless the vertical resolution is one of 240, 288, 480 or 576. Anything else is rejected as unknown. In addition, it recognises whether the disc is PAL or NTSC from the vertical resolution too, so a PAL test disc in 640x480 resolution I just tried played okay, but it was played as NTSC and the aspect ratio was stretched off centre too.

[Midzuki]

DRP wrote:

That's quite a special player you have there then

Not so special. I have read and heard that standalone players which are not
strictly-compliant with the DVD-Forum specifications/limitations are
quite common in the Middle/Far East and in the "Third World" as well.

=====

[DRP]

None of which I would describe Brasil as being. I guess you bought your player on holiday somewhere then.

[guns1inger]

I'm sorry, I don't think I was clear enough. I was not talking about playing just straight MPEG files burnt to disc as data like you would do for an MPEG-4 player type machine. No, I'm still talking about using a conventional DVD player here and discs burnt in VCD format for CD and authored in DVD format for DVD.

You were clear. What I was pointing out was that this model would not play mpeg files, but would play non-compliant resolution DVDs.

[Midzuki]

I wrote:

... quite common in the Middle/Far East and in the "Third World" as well.

and DRP wrote:

None of which I would describe Brasil as being.

Unfortunately, the country in which I'm living yes still is a member of the
so-called 3rd world.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0861739/

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

[KBeee]

Nothing wrong with being Third World.
Though it's used by ignorant people these days as a mildly denigrating insult implying poverty, it merely means (in Cold War thought) the the country is neither aligned to the West (First World), nor the Communist East (Second World).
In modern times, it's probably less insulting, and less indicative of poverty to be called Third World, than Second World!

[SatStorm]

Anyway, back on topic:

Over the years, DVB receivers & DVD players end up use the same decoding chips. That means that the later (2004 and later) DVD players are capable to playback various framesizes, without many issues (or any at all...).

From what I know the following framesizes are usually accepted:

PAL - NTSC
320x240/288 - 320x240
352x288 - 352x240
352x576 - 352x576
480x576 - 480x480
528x576 - 528x480
544x576 - 544x480
- - - - - - - 640x480
704x576 - 704x480
720x576 - 720x480
768x576 - - - - - - -


Of course, I wouldn't use framesizes beyond the DVD specifics myself. I believe 352/704/720x288/576 or 240/480 is enough.