hi i was wondering if it would be possible to make a special template for the apex dvd players espically the popular 1100w,i know id screw up big time and kwag i know u can work u mojo to output the best and greatest templates ever known to the vcd world, you rock

Thanks dragonballyobaz
The problem with the Apex machines is that the internal MPEG decoders used are very strict to standards. The Apex's will play fine standard formats, but when you deviate from the standards like KVCD, problems arise. The only solutions have been demux/remux and change VBV values. Some models work with these hacks, others don't.
So the Apex issues can't be solved with a template.

kwag

I earlier reported that this player was funky until KVCDx2 beta. Now I tried,

KVCD 352x240 - fine - video quality poor (blurred)
KVCD 352x480 - OK - better video but skips slightly after 5seconds.
KVCD 352x480 - OK - better video but skips slightly after 5seconds.

All with CladDVD, DVD2AVI, FitCD, VDub, TMPGENc256 and no template changes, EasyVCD. 23fps.

Interestingly, EasyVCD reported NTSC FILM 24FPS for KVCD 352x240
but NTSC UNRECOGNISED 23.9fps for other two. This could be the reason why I have video skips. GOD such a good template but still silly problems for me. I still wonder this time it worked only becuase this movie is 4:3 NTSC FILM 29fps Interlaced and not 16:9 NTSC FILM 29fps Interlaced.

Thanks Team.

Have you tried changing it to a 29fps setting? It works for me. Files are larger though. Also try CENTER KEEP ASPECT Ratio.

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Thanks!
reman

I also have a Apex 1100w. I have a question, if I change the template to 29.97 and not the 23.9 in the templates what do I lose. Is the file only bigger or do I lose quality. If it just makes the size bigger, I'm okay with that. But I would like to know if I lose any quality.

Thanks, Moat

Well, the 29.97 solution fix the video/audio skipping problem, but I noticed that the video doesn't play as smoothly as the source or as if I encode with MPEG2 3:2 pulldown.
There is no skip, but I notice a slighting tiny gap... I don't know... the movie just don't play as smoothly…

If the original was at 29fps then the quality should be better by keeping it 29fps. I found that the quality is highly related to the optimal setting of bit rate for "that" and the "quality percentage" setting. The latest templates are GREAT but I do mess around with those settings! :P

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Thanks!
reman

I noticed that the video got smooth when I increased the bit rate ever so slightly. Sometimes it is the min setting and sometimes the max OR both.

352x480 template - I used these settings:

29.97fps
CQ_VBR 18
300-1450
44k 128k
16:9 525 NTSC (movie is 16:9)
Center Cust 352x352

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Thanks!
reman

I told you not to buy that cheap ass Apex player..

True, but it is hacked and plays with no Macrovision.

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Thanks!
reman

blah, who cares about that? I would rather have player that supports everything with no problems then it be hackable.

Just a side note. Apex has dropped VCD support on ALL their new DVD players. No DVD players manufactured by Apex will play (X)VCD. Only SVCD's and DVD's. I think this was a very bad move by Apex. Specially for all the thousands doing VCD's, XVCD, and of course KVCD's.
So if anyone plans to buy a new Apex , think twice
You can verify this at their site www.apexdigitalinc.com . Just check every product and manual and see if you can find the word "VCD".

-kwag