DVD2SVCD: Settings Check for DVD Backups

[Paulus]

Hi all,

I normally use the settings below for various DVD backups. I really like some confirmation if I'm doing this OK:

For long movies (<180 min e.g. LOTR):
Max bitrate=1150, Min.bitrate=400. KVCD 352x288 (or 352x576=CVD)
BBMPEG=> MPEG2 VBR
Misc tab=MPEG1
Audio=128 stereo

For all other encodes (Movie length ± 90 - 120 min):
Max bitrate=2376, Min.bitrate=400. KSVCD 480x576.
BBMPEG=> MPEG2 VBR
Misc tab=MPEG2
Audio=160 stereo

Is this abouth right ? (for best quality on 1 CD-R80).

[azel]

- I would use max 300 kbps min bitrate.
- For long movies (about 180 min) I would use 112 or 96 kbps audio bitrate. Use Dual Channel!!!
- I would set max bitrate for 480/576 SKVCD down to 2000 kbps.

[Paulus]

Hi Azel,

Thanks for replying...

I use 400 min for compatibility. Some players (Philips) seem to need this min. setting.
Don't you think 112 or 96 kbps (MP2 !) is maybe too low ? Dual channel should preserve dolby surroung information but that doesn't seem to be the case on some encodes I did so I stuck too stereo instead.......
Why would you set max bitrate down to 2000 (filesize ?).

Like to hear your comments..........

PS: What about my BBMPEG settings ? I sometimes wonder if I shouldn't set BBMPEG to MPEG1 or VCD (what's the difference between MPEG1 and VCD setting in BBMPEG anyway ...? Thought it's the same ..?

[azel]

Quote:

Don't you think 112 or 96 kbps (MP2 !) is maybe too low ?

I've tried 112 kbps. It's sounds great (of chorse it could be better), but I think very good sound and very bad picture doesn't mach. Let the video get the rest of the bitrate!
A thumb is that you use 10 % of video bitrate.

Quote:

Why would you set max bitrate down to 2000 (filesize ?).

If you encode 16:9 film and you use MA script I'll recomand 2000 kbps max. If you encode a 4:3 or a film with very high bitrate, use higher, ex 2530. The reason why I don't choose higher bitrate than 2000 is because you can't see so much detials in high motion scenes. So don't waste bitrate at something you hardly can't see

Quote:

bbMPEG???

Theese settings will not do anything with the video quality. If your DVD player can play KVCDs muxed as VCD, use VCD, if not, choose SVCD.
The same with SKVCD. If your player plays SKVCDs muxed as SVCD, use SVCD, if not mux as VCD.

[Paulus]

Thanks Azel........, I'll try your suggestions.

I think my (Cyberhome) Standalone plays everything.....

I think Dialhot mentioned ones that MPEG1 on misc tab is better for picture quality because MPEG1 is better at low resolutions (where KVCD is). Maybe I should use it on all encodes (keep BBMPEG settings on "SVCD").