Best way to burn VCDs?

[DecimusMxms]

Hi! I've converted a video clip to mpeg1 using Compressor, but when I burn it using toast 6, I think it converts it again using its own codec thus degrades quality again. What's the best way to create VCDs? I prefer using Compressor for converting cause it outputs the same color as the original. Tnx in advance!

[Henjie]

Originally posted by DecimusMxms
Hi! I've converted a video clip to mpeg1 using Compressor, but when I burn it using toast 6, I think it converts it again using its own codec thus degrades quality again. What's the best way to create VCDs? I prefer using Compressor for converting cause it outputs the same color as the original. Tnx in advance!

Kindly list the settings you used for the encode (bitrate, resolution, etc. etc.).

Unless you're creating Toast-compatible MPEG-1/VCD files using apps like ffmpegX, iMovie (using the Toast plugin), etc., you have to make sure that your MPEG-1/VCD files are within specs. Toast will reencode MPEG-1/VCD files that are out of specs using its crappy routines. :-)

For maximum compatibility, try using these settings (VCD 2.0, NTSC):
*Video bitrate - 1150Kbps
*Resolution/video size - 352x240
*Framerate - 29.97fps for NTSC; 23.976fps for NTSC Film
*Audio bitrate - 224Kbps, .mp2 (MPEG-1 Layer 2)
*Sampling - 44.1KHz


~Henjie

[Edited on 8-20-2004 by Henjie]

[DecimusMxms]

My settings are the same as what you've listed except for the video bitrate. I use the default in Compressor which is 1250Kbps. Will that difference matter a lot? Aside from using Toast's VIDEO tab, is there another way to burn VCD's?

[Jughead]

This link might also be of help:

http://www.pinoymac.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=755

[Macmon]

Tried for the first time in using imovie.
transferred the analogue video to the sony minidv cam (which converts it into digital) and into the ibook wherein iMovie was recording the converted movie.

Played around with iMovie and adding effects and sound.
After all the editing.

Started Roxio toast titanium
Clicked the video tab and used the setting VCD
and High quality and NTSC.

Got the mov file that the imovie project made and it burned in into the CD.

Quite nice for a first time conversion.

iMovie version 4
Toast 6.0.3

[Edited on 8-20-2004 by Macmon]

[Henjie]

Originally posted by DecimusMxms
My settings are the same as what you've listed except for the video bitrate. I use the default in Compressor which is 1250Kbps. Will that difference matter a lot? Aside from using Toast's VIDEO tab, is there another way to burn VCD's?

1250Kbps is a bit too high for VCDs (law of diminishing return). Using ffmpegX which creates Toast-compatible MPEG-1/VCD files, I usually max it out at 1200Kbps although I have to admit that the difference in quality between 1150Kbps and 1200Kbps VCDs is negligible.

Try using the default VCD bitrate of 1150Kbps. If that still doesn't work, then the Compressor-created files are not Toast-compatible.

BTW, the source files, which app did you use to create them? How about exporting them to Quicktime first and then just use ffmpegX to encode them to MPEG-1/VCD, MPEG-2/DVD, etc. The app is free anyway, and it works great. And don't worry about it messing up the colors, etc. 'coz it won't. :-)

As for burning VCDs, Toast is still the way to go.


~Henjie

[bagwis]

Hi Henjie! I have a question to ask. If I were to send a mov file to a client for rough cut presentation purposes, which should I reduce to make it a smaller file? Bitrate or Resolution?

It being a little pixelized doesn't matter.

TIA

[DecimusMxms]

Henjie, you were right, I adjusted to 1150Kbps and playback was smooth, quality still good. I used toast 5 to avoid the encoding in Toast 6.

Thanks everyone!

[Macmon]

Originally posted by Henjie
.... Using ffmpegX which creates Toast-compatible MPEG-1/VCD files, I usually max it out at 1200Kbps although I have to admit that the difference in quality between 1150Kbps and 1200Kbps VCDs is negligible.

Try using the default VCD bitrate of 1150Kbps. If that still doesn't work, then the Compressor-created files are not Toast-compatible.

BTW, the source files, which app did you use to create them? How about exporting them to Quicktime first and then just use ffmpegX to encode them to MPEG-1/VCD, MPEG-2/DVD, etc. The app is free anyway, and it works great. And don't worry about it messing up the colors, etc. 'coz it won't. :-)....

~Henjie

I used the mov file created by imovie for my analog converted to digital video.
However I noted during the end process of ffmpegx.(99%) it noted failed and when I looked at the info it noted error in mux. But when I tried the mpeg file it created. It was okay.

I wonder what the error was and if anyone encountered this same problem with ffmpegx.

[Kelvin]

How about creating a VCD from an AVI file with a subtitle track, how do I make the subtitles appear on the VCD?

TIA