MPEG-1 vs. MPEG-2
MPEG-1 vs. MPEG-2
The free version of TMPGEnc (an often touted software MPEG encoder) outputs MPEG-1. For $50.00 I can purchase MPEG-2 capabilities. Can someone explain the advantages of MPEG-1 vs. MPEG-2 (or even MPEG-4)? Please couch part of your answer in a DVD movie building process. If I don't want Ulead MovieFactory, for instance, to re-render the MPEG, does it matter which version of MPEG I feed it? Will the resulting quality or length of the DVD movie be any different?
I don't know everything about the various MPEG schemes... But here's what I do know:
All of the MPEG compression techniques are "lossy". When you encode, you loose some quality / detail. If you re-code to the same format, or another MPEG format (or other lossy format) you further degrade the video. Any editing other than simple cutting & splicing usually requires a (lossy) decode/re-code cycle.
DVDs use MPEG-2. If you are making a DVD, ideally you would encode to MPEG once. That generally means that you do all editing in a less-compressed format (i.e. AVI/DV), and convert to MPEG-2 just-before burning, or that you use an unedited MPEG-2 as a source for your DVD.
Actually, you can put MPEG-1 on a DVD, but the DVD spec only allows low quality (low bitrate and low resolution MPEG-1). As far as I know, MPEG-1 is not always worse than MPEG-2, but on a Video-DVD it is.
MPEG-4 is supposed to be more-compressed (smaller file for the same quality) than MPEG-2. I get the impression that the best MPEG-2 is better than the best MPEG-4. A Video-DVD with MPEG-4 is non-compliant, and most players won't play it.
All of the MPEG compression techniques are "lossy". When you encode, you loose some quality / detail. If you re-code to the same format, or another MPEG format (or other lossy format) you further degrade the video. Any editing other than simple cutting & splicing usually requires a (lossy) decode/re-code cycle.
DVDs use MPEG-2. If you are making a DVD, ideally you would encode to MPEG once. That generally means that you do all editing in a less-compressed format (i.e. AVI/DV), and convert to MPEG-2 just-before burning, or that you use an unedited MPEG-2 as a source for your DVD.
Actually, you can put MPEG-1 on a DVD, but the DVD spec only allows low quality (low bitrate and low resolution MPEG-1). As far as I know, MPEG-1 is not always worse than MPEG-2, but on a Video-DVD it is.
MPEG-4 is supposed to be more-compressed (smaller file for the same quality) than MPEG-2. I get the impression that the best MPEG-2 is better than the best MPEG-4. A Video-DVD with MPEG-4 is non-compliant, and most players won't play it.
[size=92][i]Head over heels,
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Out of... sync.[/i]
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No time to think.
It's like the whole world's
Out of... sync.[/i]
- Head Over Heels, The Go-Gos.[/size]
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maddrummer3301
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Hi,
To add to Doug's statement if you want to make good dvd's then the format is MPEG-2.
By the way (Mpeg-1 is frame_based) (Mpeg-2 uses fiields, TV are field_based).
You may want to consider the program VideoStudio_9, Womble or VideoRedo.
Womble and VideoRedo are dedicated Mpeg editors.
Video_Studio is a video editor that has mpeg editing capabilities.
Video_Studio is very powerful for the price.
Hope this helps,
MD
To add to Doug's statement if you want to make good dvd's then the format is MPEG-2.
By the way (Mpeg-1 is frame_based) (Mpeg-2 uses fiields, TV are field_based).
You may want to consider the program VideoStudio_9, Womble or VideoRedo.
Womble and VideoRedo are dedicated Mpeg editors.
Video_Studio is a video editor that has mpeg editing capabilities.
Video_Studio is very powerful for the price.
Hope this helps,
MD
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sjj1805
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To add a little bit more meat to the already good answers above.
MPEG1 is designed for VCD/SVCD which was the days before DVD and you could get up to a hours worth of video onto a standard 700mb CD.
Things were improved when DVD came along and so MPEG2 arrived with it with better quality.
MPEG4 is a confusing term because it is in fact an AVI but highly compressed. there are a few DVD players being sold now that will handle MPEG4 and also its cousins Xvid/DivX. these players though are few and far between.
Regarding Womble and VideoRedo. These are purpose built MPEG Editors but you will still need another product to author the DVD after editing. such programs include Video Studio 9 / Movie Factory 4 or the more expensive Workshop 2.
Regards
Steve J
MPEG1 is designed for VCD/SVCD which was the days before DVD and you could get up to a hours worth of video onto a standard 700mb CD.
Things were improved when DVD came along and so MPEG2 arrived with it with better quality.
MPEG4 is a confusing term because it is in fact an AVI but highly compressed. there are a few DVD players being sold now that will handle MPEG4 and also its cousins Xvid/DivX. these players though are few and far between.
Regarding Womble and VideoRedo. These are purpose built MPEG Editors but you will still need another product to author the DVD after editing. such programs include Video Studio 9 / Movie Factory 4 or the more expensive Workshop 2.
Regards
Steve J