Simple Guide AVI to KDVD with Mainconcept Encoder (MCE)
 

Hi:
Here is a little Mainconcept (MCE) guide.

1 - Open MCE. In MCE Main screen select Options - Import Modules - MPEG Import - Details: Add in extensions, first of all,

"avs," without quotation marks. It must look like this:

http://www.digitalfaq.com/archives/error.gif

Ok, Ok. Close MCE.

2 - Copy de following lines and put it in a text file. Save it with de name: KVCD DVD 720x576 VBR.mef
and put it in: C:\Documents and Settings\[user name]\Application Data\MCMPEGEnc3 - Open MCE. In MCE Main screen. Select video source: Your avs script, including filters and resize. For DVD you can try this one (the target is 3 movies in one DVD+-R starting from DVD):

Mpeg2source("D:\damian.d2v")
Blockbuster(method="noise",detail_min=1,detail_max =8,variance=0.3,seed=5823)
ATC(1,2,4,0.5,false)
TemporalSoften(2,7,7,3,2)
Blockbuster(method="noise",detail_min=1,detail_max =10,variance=0.5,seed=5823)
LanczosResize(704, 430, 6, 0, 708, 576)
AddBorders(8, 73, 8, 73)
letterbox(0,0,16,16)

Of course you need to change the source file, and the resize parameters. Other parameters will be in accord with your source, this one is for DVD source.
You can try any other better for avi to KDVD if it is your case. (Dialhot V4 is a good one) But here, there are many people to ask for this.
In Video Input Info you must see 720x576. If it not you resize in avisynth script is not good.

4 - Audio Source: For me is better encode audio with other applications. Live it blank.

5 - Output file: Select it.

6 - Output format: Select KVCD DVD 720x576 VBR, elementary video, PAL or NTSC. Click in details.

http://www.digitalfaq.com/archives/error.gif

7 - Video: Put the mark in keep proportions, click in crop & scale and check that in crop, all values are 0, and in scale Height = 576 Center = 288 Width = 720 Center = 360. Press ok. Press advanced.

http://www.digitalfaq.com/archives/error.gif

http://www.digitalfaq.com/archives/error.gif

8 - GOP Structure: I frames = 15, P frames = 3, Auto GOP = VCSD, Closed GOP interval = 0, Bitrate Type = Variable bitrate, Maximun = 6000, Average = 1800, Minimun = 450. Click in advanced video settings.

You can see in this image that with this settings, Constant quantisation box is grayed.

http://www.digitalfaq.com/archives/error.gif

9 - Select Noise Sensitivity = 1, Motion search mode = 12, Motion search pixel movemente, mark enable, Horizontal = 2047, Vertical = 2047, Mark User quant matrices, then if you press edit, you can verify the KVCD notch matrix. In additional settings open sequence header, select VBV Buffer size and put 224 for value.

http://www.digitalfaq.com/archives/error.gif

http://www.digitalfaq.com/archives/error.gif

10 - Press OK twice, and press convert and it is all.

11 - Process audio, multiplex, authoring and burn it.

Not to hard, isn'it?


This is intended in first place for fit three movies in one DVD+-R, starting from DVD. If you start from avi, maybe would be better encode in CQ mode. For this you need to change only the 8 point:

8 - GOP Structure: I frames = 15, P frames = 3, Auto GOP = VCSD, Closed GOP interval = 0, Bitrate Type = Variable bitrate, Maximun = 6000, Average = 0, Minimun = 0, CQ = 3.


With this settings Constant quantisation box is not grayed.

http://www.digitalfaq.com/archives/error.gif

No exact prediction method available, you can try avisynth sampler(lenght=100) and later use:
If you select in GOP structure I frames = 24, the final mpg file size will be smaller, but the standard is 15 for PAL and 18

for NTSC. I think that you can select 24 in PAL and in NTSC too without problem. In any case test your standalone.

Great guide. I'm sure this will help some peoples. Thanks.

(I just wonder about the usage of 0 as minimum but I don't know this encoder).

Your welcome.

0 as average and minimum is the way of this encoder for switch on the CQ mode. Minimun bitrate won't be 0, but the one that the encoder judges should be. The problem is with bad quality DivX/XviD sources. With this ones, min bitrate drop down, less than 200. Many standalones don's support this min bitrates. Not problem with high quality DivX/XviD or DVD sources.

Prodater64,

Is it a good sign that MAinconcept reports multiples of the below?

P:local_skipped = 2, base_min=188, enc_comp=18, T= 11475

Not really. Is a very bad sign. This means that you are encoding from a source that not has the requirements for the average bitrate that you want. Then frames are skipped or in more known terms dropped. You can fix that, droping down average bitrate until no more reports are showed.
Other way is encode in CQ mode 3, if your work is for DivX or XviD to DVD will be better and you won't have problems with the ending file sizes.

Yes I'm converting Divx/Xvid to MPEG-2 and yes I'm using CQ 3 instead of avg bitrate. I guess this mean Mainconcept is a no no then since I would like to fit 5-6 hours on 1 DVD. No matter what CQ I use, there are drop frames..............

Do You select only elementary video?

Look any of you CQ encoded samples with Bitrate Viewer. Write down the average bitrate.
Take this bitrate and sum 20%. Encode with VBR with this value for average bitrate. Make several samples with higher average bitrates, step by 100, stop when you see the first error. Use de previous bitrate without error for your encode.

I select elementary video+audio but have tried elementary video only. I set GOP as 18 since I'm doing NTSC KDVD. Field encoding is "Progressive frame", Frame rate is 23.976 (same as source)

MCE gots one explizit Problem!:

The Q range is limited from 1 to 31 and this is not enough to obtain an accurate prediction to get a well wanted final filesize afterwards.

But if you get a bit "over" you can do a shrinking afterwards using the very comfortable Rejig you encode in mpeg2.

It's the only way to create a CQ encode. If you set MIN other than 0, then you encode at average. Just one of the sucking "features" of MCE, which render it useless to many, because most DVD players playing in VCD mode will choke on "0" bitrate on dark scenes. :roll:

-kwag

I've tried going through this, but I am stuck. Under Main Concept, if I choose KVD DVD 720x576VBR as the mpeg type, then Stream Type is set as Elementary Video, Video mode is PAL. If I want to change either one of these (ie, Video Mode NTSC and Stream type to be Elementary Video and Audio), it won't let me! Because if I do, then the Stream Type autommatically changes as well (to VCD or DVD - MainConcept's default mef files).

How can I change these settings and keep the stream type to be KVCD DVD's one at the same time?

:?

Don't worry about that, when you change the stream type, it changes the template name by generic name, but don't change your settings. Chick it, you will see that KVCD notch matrix not change, nor any other settings.

I am trying it now, hopefully it shall work.

The problem I have is that MCE will not allow me to follow your guide exactly. The reason is because I want to use Elementary video and audio, and also NTSC, not PAL.

Therefore, when I try to adjust video size to 720 x 576, it will not let me. It only allows me to set it to 720 x 480. Hence Crop and Scale settings are also 480 (height), and 720 (width).

In the search range, the maximum value was 31, not 43.

Also, in the user quant matrices, all my values are different to the ones shown in your guide.

Regarding what you said about the stream type not changing the settings that is true, but if I cange the video mode from PAL to NTSC, it does change all my settings. I wonder if the KDVD template is being used at all by MCE now.

I am converting an avi file, so CQ method is used (Max Rate 6000, Min and Average rate = 0, CQ = 3)

1 - Follow the guide step by step as it is writed. Don't try to set any other values don't writed, like in pictures.
2 - Select your Video/Audio sources.
3 - Select mpeg type as i said in guide.
4 - Select video mode to ntsc. (don't worry about mpeg type change)
5 - Select stream type to elementary video and audio or any other you want.
5 - Select details and change resolution if necesary. (NTSC=720X480, but you can change it if you want) Mark in keep proportions. (Follow guide)
6 - Select audio frequency and mode.
7 - Select advanced. Video settings. (Follow guide. 6000 0 0 CQ3 is ok.)
8 - Select advanced video settings. (Follow guide.)
9 - select audio settings, set audio type as you want and audiobitrate too.
10 - Press ok twice.
11 - Select (menu) options - save settings as profile. (with this you can load same settings (your settings) every time.
12 - Search in C:\Documents and Settings\[user name]\Application Data\MCMPEGEnc your saved file, open it with notepad, and replace following lines (they are the last ones into file):

Now when you choice your template in mpeg type, it will have the kvcd notch matrix.
13 - I recommend multiplexing with other software, but it can be maked with MCE too.

Thank you so much for this guide Prodater64.

Ive been wanting to use MCE for a long time but never knew how to get to grips with it, maybe now with this excellent guide I can have a go at using it. :)

PS: @Kwag is there any way that this board can support a Printer Friendly feature as sometimes I like to print the guides so I can read them and study them on paper without hurting my eyes looking at a monitor for long periods :?:

No, sorry, it doesn't :(

-kwag

Np Kwag I can just copy and paste in MS Word and print it that way, thanks anyway. :)

I am following the procedures now, and when I start to convert, the message I get is:

MMX:y SSE:y SSE2:y 28:1 3DNowExt:y 3DNow:n CMOV:y
Initializing video encoder
Number of CPU: 2, available: 2
SIMD: SSE2
Video encoder initialized
Multiplexing information
Video stream 0 data rate : 750000 bytes/sec (6000000 bits/sec)
Audio stream 0 data rate : 28000 bytes/sec (224000 bits/sec)
Overhead data rate : 32950 bytes/sec (263600 bits/sec)
Total data rate : 810950 bytes/sec (6487600 bits/sec)
M088:Video PTS (4785.00ms) underflow at pack 1043 by 19.00ms
M088:Video PTS (4818.00ms) underflow at pack 1060 by 29.00ms
M089:Video DTS (4852.00ms) underflow at pack 1077 by 38.00ms
M088:Video PTS (4885.00ms) underflow at pack 1105 by 76.00ms
M088:Video PTS (4919.00ms) underflow at pack 1124 by 90.00ms
M089:Video DTS (4952.00ms) underflow at pack 1144 by 108.00ms
M088:Video PTS (4985.00ms) underflow at pack 1171 by 142.00ms
M088:Video PTS (5019.00ms) underflow at pack 1189 by 154.00ms
M089:Video DTS (5052.00ms) underflow at pack 1207 by 167.00ms
M088:Video PTS (5085.00ms) underflow at pack 1235 by 204.00ms
M088:Video PTS (5119.00ms) underflow at pack 1252 by 213.00ms

I am not sure what the problem is? Can I get some help? :)

I followed the guide exactly, I chose program (video+audio), NTSC, changed video size to 720x480, done everything else as mentioned, and then I saved profile, and edited using Notepad to replace the quant matrices at the end of the script. But I get the message above. So I am a little confused now...

Click details, advanced, multiplexer settings, in mux rate write 10000 and rise this value by 1000 if you keep getting this error, but I think it is enough.
Also check audio settings to asure yourself that all is right.

Thanks! I tried that. Now, I just converted a 40 min avi using this technique. Since it is avi, I used max rate 6000, average and min rate 0, and CQ =3. Now, the resulting mpg was 1.4 Gb! I thought the file should be much smaller. Does this sound normal??

CQ3 is to high. You will obtain good quality and more normal size with CQ5, CQ6 or CQ7.
Also using Dialhot V4 filter is useful when you want to save space.

Thanks Prodater, I have tried it with CQ=7 and my 42 minute avi clip is now 1Gb. I can fit 4 episodes onto one DVD.

Using your technique on this thread, and without any other filters as you mentioned in your last message, how many minutes of video am I supposed to be able to fit onto one DVD? I will be able to fit ~ 170 minutes. (4 x 42 minute episodes). Is that a good result, do you think?

Thank you.

That is a very bad result.

Use this template as I teached in first post:

The idea is to codify in MPEG-2 but with some settings changed (like Mencoder encode), but standard compliance yet.
1. - Choice your target res and do correct resize settings.
2. - To codify the audio one to 48000 Hertz for DVD and 44100 Hertz for SKVCD.
3. - In the Multiplexer eyelash settings, down to the left, the Mux rate to 32766. That will avoid the seemed errors of buffer and during the codified one without another lateral effect.
4. - Change another settings related to your target (KDVD/SKVCD), BUT NOT UNUSUAL SETTINGS.

Do another test and tell me your results.

Select your Video/Audio sources - OK
Select mpeg type as i said in guide - DVD
Select video mode to ntsc - OK
Select stream type to program video and audio.
Select details and change resolution if necesary. NTSC=720X480 used.
Select audio frequency and mode - mpeg layer 2, 224 Kbps bitrate
Select advanced. Video settings. Follow guide. 6000 0 0 CQ7 as you suggested
Select advanced video settings
Select (menu) options - save settings as profile. (with this you can load same settings (your settings) every time.
Search in C:\Documents and Settings\[user name]\Application Data\MCMPEGEnc your saved file, open it with notepad, and replace following lines (they are the last ones into file): DONE.

I then used Mux rate = 10000. (Haven't tried 32766... will that make all the difference???)

That is all I done. File size: 0.98 Gb.. What else should I try? Start from scratch again?

No.

Another method. It will give you a mpeg1 but you can burn it into a DVD with TMPG DVD Author.

Res 720*480 or 704*480.
Details->Search Method = 11 y Search Range = 21
I frames 12
Auto GOP = VCSD
Closed GOP interval = 1
CQ5
NR = 8
Motion Search = 11
Enable "Do half-pel search"
Disable "Motion search pixel movement"
Enable User quant matrices

Even in mpeg1 non standarar resolution, TMPGEnc DVD Author will burn it as DVD without any problem.
You can reduce final size by selecting a resolution of 352*240 (DVD standard), but quality will not be the same.
Go ahead and tell me your results.

Ok, so I made the template into mef file. I opened it, then selected 'NTSC' in Video Mode. MPEG type became 'mpeg 1'. Then, details:
Res 720*480. Audio Rate = 48khz.
Details->Search Method = 11 y Search Range = 21
I frames 12, P frames 3
Auto GOP = VCSD
Closed GOP interval = 1
Bitrate type Variable Bitrate, Max 1856kbps, Average and Min 0
CQ5
NR = 8
Motion Search = 11
Enable "Do half-pel search"
Disable "Motion search pixel movement"
VBV buffer size 0 (I did not change this, or any other settings now)
Enable User quant matrices. But when I view the quant matrices, the matrix has changed! So I saved as profile, then edited the .mef file with Notepad, and replaced the matrix values, ie from the following point onwards:

user_iquant=1
intra_q[0]=8
intra_q[1]=9
intra_q[2]=12
intra_q[3]=22
intra_q[4]=26 etc etc.


I converted my 42 minute avi file and got 720MB. My 1Gb file seems slightly better quality, :)