CD-SVCD/VCD Recommended settings- Capture/save burn etc

[DADSGETNDOWN]

Have I overlooked it ? or is there a page with the recommended settings to capture video (from DV camcorder) BUT for use with 700 mb Cd's in svcd and vcd format? I read for hours (mostly getting side tracked on other useful subjects heh!) found the settings for DVD but not this...

[Ken Berry]

The recommended procedure was written with the most popular format in mind i.e. DVD.

To do what you want, you still capture first to DV/AVI format, and do your editing in that. Then, when you go to Share > Create Video File (as per the recommended procedure), when the dropdown list appears, instead of selecting DVD, you select (PAL or NTSC) SVCD or VCD. (Apart from DVD and the foregoing, I also get the choice to create a DV file in 4:3 or 16:9; mpeg-1 or mpeg-2 files; and a variety of WMV files...)

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

Its been many moons since I last made an Svcd. But I do remember having problems with playback. My fix was to use a constant bit rate instead of the default variable one. So if you do have problems remember.

Vs 9 shows its default svcd settings as :-

MPEG files
24 Bits, 480 x 576, 25 fps
Lower Field First
(SVCD-PAL), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 2375 kbps)
Audio data rate: 224 kbps
MPEG audio layer 2, 44.1 KHz, Stereo

As Ken has already said, follow the recommended procedure, then from the Share-Create Video File use the Svcd or Vcd template.

All the Best Trevor

[DADSGETNDOWN]

Hi

Its been many moons since I last made an Svcd. But I do remember having problems with playback. My fix was to use a constant bit rate instead of the default variable one. So if you do have problems remember.

Vs 9 shows its default svcd settings as :-

MPEG files
24 Bits, 480 x 576, 25 fps
Lower Field First
(SVCD-PAL), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 2375 kbps)
Audio data rate: 224 kbps
MPEG audio layer 2, 44.1 KHz, Stereo

As Ken has already said, follow the recommended procedure, then from the Share-Create Video File use the Svcd or Vcd template.

All the Best Trevor

Hell again. at this page
http://www.ulead.com/learning/general/video_01_1.htm
http://www.ulead.com/learning/general/video_01_1.htm

Scrolling down to the SVCD - 'Super Video Compact Disc' section
it says
SVCD Video Parameter Settings

Frame Size: 480x480 (NTSC) or 480x576 (PAL)
Frame Rate: 29.97 frames/second (NTSC) or 25 frames/second (PAL)
Video Data Rate: Variable bit rate up to 2600 kbps
Audio Settings: 32~384 kbps MPEG-1 Layer 2 audio bit rate

which differ from above. which is correct ?. this will be anotehr question BUT, my DV Camcorder (Panasonic PV-GS31) tech support has told me it records in MPEG1 . hmm ?. I thought maybe DV-AVI . could they be full of beans ?. isn't mpeg1 barely better than VHS quality ?.
here's one, what steps and settings should I use in captureing to keep as like it were the actual tape format ? which they says is mpeg1 ?. I am using 16 bit audio.

[Ken Berry]

You haven't told us which version of Video Studio you are using. But you should not be fretting about what one program might say over another. Simply do as I suggest and in your version of VS, select Share > Create Video File > SVCD and use the default template for the standard SVCD which is used in that version of VS. I haven't produced any SVCDs since VS8, but up till then, I simply used the default settings and never had any problems.

As for your camera, your camera support people are indeed full of more than just beans when they told you it records in mpeg-1. It is indeed, as you say, a mini DV camera and films in ... surprise ... DV format. Your support people should be saying 'Duh!!' Shame on them. As such, you should be connecting the camera via firewire and capturing in DV/AVI format. This in effect is not really capturing but merely transferring the video in exactly the same high quality format in which it was filmed. Do all your edits in the same format, and only then go to Share > Create Video File > SVCD. And once you have that file, close the project, open a new one but leave the timeline empty, and go to Share > Create Disc > SVCD, insert your file and burn it to CD. Good luck!

[DADSGETNDOWN]

WhoopS! VS9 , BUT I was at all worrying about what any programs say (I don't think) I took that info right from the learning general video center here on ulead and since about 4 or so things differ from what Trevor posted, AND MORE Importantly I have no REAL idea, I thought I should point it out, I like the idea of the 29.97 fps, and as long as space is there, I like the quality so the other settings were a question mark for me too.
Here's 2 somethings.
DO you know IF there's a way to tell (unless there's a standard) what this cameras settings are IF they even exist.
IE:
Frame Size: 480x480 (NTSC) or 480x576 (PAL)
Frame Rate: 29.97 frames/second (NTSC) or 25 frames/second (PAL)
Video Data Rate: Variable bit rate up to 2600 kbps
Audio Settings: 32~384 kbps MPEG-1 Layer 2 audio bit rate
?

If it were you whether it be DVD or CD, when captureing, would you or so you use DV-AVI or AVI or something else ? and (hope this isn't TOO lame of a question lol). they are pretty cheap, but do you personally keep your recorded tapes or record over them? maybe captureing as original and saving the file as in on a dvd or cd. Man I typed alot must have been bored.

[Ron P.]

Hi,

Just taking a quick look at the File Specs you provided in your question,

Frame Size: 480x480 (NTSC) or 480x576 (PAL)
Frame Rate: 29.97 frames/second (NTSC) or 25 frames/second (PAL)
Video Data Rate: Variable bit rate up to 2600 kbps
Audio Settings: 32~384 kbps MPEG-1 Layer 2 audio bit rate
?

Those are CD, and lower quality, not really even VHS quality. So you couldn't expect to produce anything better then that, for your final results. The Frame Size, Video Data Rate are easy identifiers for a CD recording. For DVD the Frame Size would be 720 x 480-NTSC, and the Video Data Rate should be at least 4000 kbps and the default that shows up in VS is 8000kbps max. and then the MPEG-1 is a dead give-away. DVD uses MPEG-2.

I always use DV-AVI to capture to. It is the next best to raw uncompressed AVI, which is what my camcorder records to. DV-AVI compresses to 13 gig per hour, where raw uncompressed is 65 gig per hour. DV is a considered a lossless format. So I can do as much editing to it as I want and not worry about quality loss, and lip-sync. Then if I wanted to produce a SVCD or VCD or video file for the internet, email, whatever I'm still going to have a good quality video.

Ron P.

[Ken Berry]

With great respect to Vidoman, the specs you quote, of course, come from the earlier post from Trevor and are, as you also pointed out, at the higher end of the SVCD specs. I used to use SVCD when I too never had a DVD burner (yes, those times are still in living memory!!! ) And the specs will produce an SVCD which is much better quality than VHS but not as good as DVD. I still remain surprised, however, at how good SVCD was for its time. Perhaps Vidoman was remembering the times of VCD with a bitrate of half that of SVCD and mpeg-1 to boot...

And I already told you, and this time I endorse Ron's comments, that DV-capture and editing will guarantee the best quality from your camera. And following the rest of my advice, which enscapsulates what is contained in the recommendend procedure (top sticky post) will also work -- and I didn't write the recommended procedure (but strongly endorse it)!!!

[Ron P.]

"My Bad", yes I was thinking VCD and not SVCD specs. SVCD provides good quality just not much of it...

Ron P.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi DADSGETNDOWN

Its been 2 months since your last post, Sorry to see that you are still having problems.

Ok relating to the Svcd properties you said (I took that info right from the learning general video center here on ulead and since about 4 or so things differ from what Trevor posted)

Properties of video files are not fixed. Audio / frame size / frame rate etc can vary and still maintain the industries standard. The correct attributes will be used when selecting the VS templates. The one I showed was for Pal, now I realise you are Ntsc.
If you go to Share Create Video File and select Ntsc-Svcd you can view the standard properties for ntsc in the window.( you can copy and paste the info to a word doc to view in full )

Your Camera Settings.

Only by reading the manual will you get information on the camera. Afaik the audio is the only attribute you can change, and you indicate that you are using 16 bit, which is good.

Your Camera is a digital model and appears to have a Firewire connection.
It records to Mini-Dv Tape and I can only assume to DV-Avi format.

Capturing is best via firewire to Dv – Avi.

Quote Ken:- It is indeed, as you say, a mini DV camera and films in ... surprise ... DV format. Your support people should be saying 'Duh!!' Shame on them.
As such, you should be connecting the camera via firewire and capturing in DV/AVI format. This in effect is not really capturing but merely transferring the video in exactly the same high quality format in which it was filmed. Do all your edits in the same format, and only then go to Share > Create Video File > SVCD. And once you have that file, close the project, open a new one but leave the timeline empty, and go to Share > Create Disc > SVCD, insert your file and burn it to CD. Good luck!

For more info on firewire:-
Have a look at the VS Help, Press F1 from Video Studio, from the index tab find IEEE.

So, Do you have a firewire connection/card on your pc?????????

Capturing to DV.

Once your camera is connected via firewire select DV as the Format. This DV should remain as DV and not revert to Avi. Video Studio will control the cameras operation.
Once you have established DV in the ‘Format’ box select ‘options’ and change the DV-Type to ‘1’.
There are no other options to select, all settings are derived from your camera.

Quote Ken ( This in effect is not really capturing but merely transferring the video in exactly the same high quality format in which it was filmed. )

Again I ask do you have a firewire connection if not then how are you connecting your camera

Trevor