FAO Trevor Andrew et al

[tonyjer]

Many thanks Trevor for your successful advice but I am still confused.

Believe me, I have read the sticky posts and workflows as like the world and his wife I have made many mistakes.

I am returning to the earlier problems with SCVCD creation using VS8. You will recall that you advised me to “retrospectively” insert the SVCD video file into the timeline and then delete it to guarantee that the project properties matched.

In relation to the workflow you said : you have to make sure the project properties match the video clip properties”.

As soon as you enter the first video clip into the timeline you get the message asking you if you wish this to happen and I always say yes to this.

The original video clips were WMV files and the clip properties are as follows:

352 *288
Data rate 132kps

However the project properties are:

PAL DVD
720*576
Variable bit rate 6000kbs

Even after checking the box above!

In my case I then go on to create SVCD video file using the SVCD template. When you enter the file into the first screen of the Create Disk sequence (is this what you mean by the burner module?)and click the information the resulting SVCD file properties are:

File format SVCD
Video MPEG 2 (strange this as everyone stresses that SVCD is not mpeg 2!)
480*576
Variable bit rate 2375kbs

What is interesting is that the line just below that which gives the space requirements on DVD shows the space needed as 1.19(1.1)!!!

I should just quit now because your method worked but I am a glutton for punishment. I have been religiously ensuring that:

· The clip and project properties match
· I always create a separate video file before burn
· I clear the timeline before starting the burn sequence



Can you make any sense of this?

[Ken Berry]

Just to confuse you further (though perhaps I shouldn't stick my oar in on this one ), on the SVCD format thing, I have ALWAYS been under the impression that SVCD was indeed mpeg-2, only not of DVD format or quality. Go figure!

[skier-hughes]

There are many types of mpeg2 format, svcd is one of them. Try looking at the Mpeg2 created by dvd cams, they are an odd size, but fall within the mpeg2 for dvd compliant sizes.
So, svcd is in fact mpeg2, but as Ken says a different variety to dvd and of lesser quality.

[heinz-oz]

I don't know where you guys get your info from. AFAIK, SVCD (I only know PAL) is a different frame size to DVD (480 x 576), mpeg1, at a max. bitrate of <2750 kbps including the audio. The mpeg file looks funny when you play it in MediaPlayer (vertically stretched). The lesser quality stems from the fact that, first of all, the frame size is smaller than DVD and last but not least, the bit rate is considerably less than DVD and cannot be cranked up over 2750 kbps as a total ie. sum of audio bit rate plus video bit rate < 2750 kbps.

[maddrummer3301]

Tony,

The project properties that VS works with are mpeg & avi for editing.
When you select to change the project properties to the source
video VS can't do that because it's in wmv format.

I would think it would be easier to create a regular VCD since it's
closer to the source's framesize.
VCD is mpeg1 (frame-based).
SVCD is mpeg2 (frame/field-based).
SVCD is not within dvd mpeg2 specs.

MD

[Ken Berry]

Heinz -- sorry to contradict you, but if you still have an SVCD file on your computer, or can quickly create one, then look at its properties in a Ulead video product. It states that it is an SVCD but also goes on to state quite clearly that it is an mpeg-2.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Heinz

I have always thought of Svcd as Mpeg 2 format.
I think I found the information a long time ago in :-

http://www.videohelp.com/svcd

Trevor

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Antonio y Anna

If I gave you the impression that you can set your project properties to your Wmv files settings, then that was not my intension, if that caused any confusion I apologise. Read the reply from Maddrummer

The project properties that VS works with are mpeg & avi for editing.
When you select to change the project properties to the source
video VS can't do that because it's in wmv format.
MD

Ok
Once you have edited your Wmv clips go to Share Create Video File use the Svcd template.
Then use this Svcd file to burn a CD ---Share Create Disc.

Its at this point your project properties and your clip properties should match.
You can use the ‘Options Cogwheel’ to alter the properties, but I prefer to change them prior to going Share Create Disc. Whichever way you choose to set your project properties the results are the same.

Trevor

[2Dogs]

My limited experience tells me that you don't get great results transcoding wmv to any other format - the quality suffers.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi 2Dogs

I agree with you about quality, wmv to any other format is not going to be good.

But Antonio y Anna have wmv files as a source.
And as far as I can tell a bucket full of CD discs that need using, hence Vcd or Svcd.

All video files vary in quality especially Wmv’s as they are targeted at the web.
Quality is poor and frame size small. At the moment we don’t know the properties of the wmv files to assess how good they really are.

Its just a learning curve.

It would be interesting to know if they achieve decent quality.

All the Best
Trevor

[tonyjer]

Many thanks to you all.

I think I have my own workthru with SVCD which now works.

Many thanks again.

Antonio, Anna y Eduardo Felipe