KVCD PLUS templates updated, and some bonus notes
 

All the PLUS templates have been updated.
This includes:

KVCD 352x240(288) LBR PLUS
KVCD 352x240(288) PLUS
KVCD 352x480(576) PLUS
KVCD 704x480(576) PLUS
KVCDx3 528x480(576)
SKVCD MPEG-1 and MPEG-2

All templates are available here: http://www.kvcd.net/dvd-models

The major changes are:

NTSC GOP 1, 18, 2, 1, 18
PAL GOP 1, 15, 2, 1, 15

Unchecked "Soften Block noise"
Changed motion estimation to "Fast"
On the LBR, changed MIN bit rate to 300Kbps and MAX bit rate to 1,800Kbps. I strongly recommend using the LBR instead of the standard KVCD 352x240(288) PLUS. The only difference between the two is that the LBR's MAX bit rate is 1,800Kbps and the standard 352x240(288) PLUS is 1,150Kbps. So on high speed scenes, you'll get your regular VCD macro blocks, but not on the LBR.
Dropped audio from 160Kbps to 128Kbps on the SKVCD templates. We all use HeadAC3he and BeSweet to encode audio, right?. So 128Kbps sounds very good with these encoders. DON'T use TMPEG's internal audio encoder for 128Kbps audio.

Some notes:

If the SKVCD template is used with the Blockbuster filter ( THANKS SansGrip :D ) , it matches or exceeds SVCD quality, even though it's only 352x480 :mrgreen:
Please look at this thread and start using this, specially at 352x240(288) and 352x480(576).
Above those resolutions, you don't need much sharpenning, but you will still gain by using the "Noise" method on the filter to remove DCT blocks on dark scenes. Thread here: http://www.kvcd.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1604

Also, to take advantage of maximum quality and space on the disk, please use the file prediction formula with FitCD. Read about it here: http://www.kvcd.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1294 and download here: http://www.kvcd.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1369

If you want to automate your process, all I have to say is give "DVD2SVCD 1.1.0 Build 1" a try :D . It now integrates the file prediction formula, and the KVCD quantization Matrix. ;) Grab it here: http://dvd2svcd.doom9.org

Enjoy and have fun :mrgreen:
-kwag

Last minute update on all templates mentioned above. Changed number of B frames from 2 to 3 (again!). After making some tests with the PLUS templates, changing the number of B frames back to B=3 increases the compression, while maintaining quality the same as B=2. The difference in file size is HUGE, and we need every bit of saved space. On the KVCDx3, the diference is ~1MB per minute less space with B=3, than with B=2.
All PLUS templates uploaded yesterday have been re-uploaded with the change. Sorry for the inconvenience :roll:

-kwag