the tmpeg encoder has settings for mpeg1 vbr. i encoded a 1 minute clip at 2400 kb/s CBR and the resulting file was 19.7MB. i encoded the same clip using the "automatic variable CQ_VBR" setting, with the max bitrate at 2400 kb/s and the min bitrate at 0 kb/s and Quality at 100. the resulting file was 17.7MB. visually, the quality is the same! i also tried the "2 pass variable VBR" setting, but the file was no smaller than the CBR file. the "constant quality CQ" setting didnt produce a file smaller than CBR either.i used standard 224 kb/s stereo audio. NTI cd maker pro accepted the files and produced a disk that my sony DVP-C600D had no problems with. nero5 accepted them, but the vcd wouldnt work in my player. MS media player had no problems with the original mpegs, but wouldnt play the *.dat files from the NTI disk or the nero5 disk.i tried a "standard" vcd and it played fine,so i guess mpeg1 vbr VCDs and mediaplayer are a "no-no". even though my machine should (according to more than one source) play SVCD, it appears i have a revision that wont play them, so this is a viable option for myself as well as others who dont have SVCD compatible players. im still going to attempt SVCD creation( im very stubborn) but i would love to know where i can buy an AUTHENTIC svcd( no bootlegs/pirate).

-- ndumu (ndumu@hotmail.com), September 09, 2000

Answers

does the mpeg1 standard allow for VBR?

-- ndumu (ndumu@hotmail.com), September 09, 2000.

mpeg1 does not support VBR. The other major limitation to mpeg1 is that it does not support interlaced signals. As for SVCD have you tried both types? There are i-author style and nero style, nero is more correct but some players accept the i-author style as a extension to VCD.

I believe http://www.vcdhelp.com/ has a test SVCD image made with i- author if you want to give it a try.

-- eric (eric@nospam.snowmoon.com), September 10, 2000.

ive burned svcd with nero5 and i author- neither works. i know the disks are compliant - ive played them on a pioneer 525, but my player just wont play them.....

-- ndumu (ndumu@hotmail.com), September 10, 2000.

i just tried that svcd sample from vcdhelp.com....... wont work. i admit defeat......

-- ndumu (ndumu@hotmail.com), September 11, 2000.

try the example svcd's from my site

http://www.geocities.com/aussie01au/

They are pal based but may give you an idea as to compliance amd data rates etc.

-- Ross mcLennan (rmclennan@esc.net.au), September 12, 2000.

Someone asked a similar question on another site and here is another angle on this:

Mpeg-1 is an interesting concept, but since CBR is NOT actually constant anyway and since it is also possible to set TMPGEnc in VBR and get the same variations and averages it must then depend entirely on the source files and DVD players ability to play the files. MPEG-1 does not support interlaced fields and that will be a problem in high motion such as sporting event coverage, particularly in wide screen 16:9, when played on the TV. If you have Bitrate Viewer then it will surprise you, CBR would be better named as "CONTROLLED bit rate" its far from constant.

Here is an example. A stills presentation is far better in CBR than it is in VBR. Check out my web site for the reasons and a bitrate viewer graph that shows why, SVCD page.

http://www.geocities.com/aussie01au/

-- Ross Mclennan (rmclennan@esc.net.au), September 12, 2000.

anyone else made these "VBR VCD"?

-- ndumu (ndumu@hotmail.com), February 01, 2001.