Encoding SVCD audio problems

MaxJenius · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 5

Hi all... Since I got a SVCD playing DVD player this X-Mas, I've been converting files so I can watch 'em on the telly... Here's my question.

Often my final file, the audio sounds dreadful. I'm using TMPEG for the encoding, and Nero for the burning. I learned the hard way to not change the frame rate and create a border so I could read the subtitles.

Any suggestions on improving the audio? (I'm dreading the answer will be... Extract the audio into an uncompress wave file first)

Which reminds me, I have one other question. I burn the resultant SVCDs to a CDRW, and I get about a 50/50 successful burn. In other words, I have to test the burn first to make sure it works before I destroy the SVCD file (damn things take up too much space) And the usual case is the second time is usually the charm. I seem to have a bit higher success rate when burning to CDRs.

My second question is, is it because of my choice of media? Should I try a lower burn speed? (The burn speed for these CDRWs is 12X) Is 12x too slow?

Any other suggestions on improving burn results for SVCDs?

LeonMcNichol · Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 38

With TMPGEnc, there is a way to add an external audio encoder, called tooLame. Just be careful, it tends to crash. So if you queue up a lot and step away, you may come back to an error screen saying it needs to shut down and you didn't do anything. Alternatively, I'd suggest extract to wav and encode with besweet and encode the video seperately and merge with bbMPEG. Very Happy

This of course can be done with DVD2SVCD by itself. (If the framerate is standard. 23.976,25.000,29.970)

As for your burning, you need to lower the rate. 4x is a good speed for vcd/svcds. I would recommend trying at different rates. 2x,4x,8x,12x. Just to see which speed is best suited for your dvd player. Media _CAN_ play a role in burning/playback as well. Oh and when you burn, I'd suggest you use VCDEasy to at least make the cue/bin file.

MaxJenius · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 5

Wow... lots to try... In your experience what way is the fastest?

I've never been too fond of the cue/bin CD imaging, but I'll give VCDEasy a shot. The brief look I took of the program looks pretty cool.

LeonMcNichol · Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 38

DVD2SVCD is nice, because it's an all in one tool, that uses the best of each. It can use TMPGEnc or CCE as the encoder. If you do use DVD2SVCD and are making 24-30 minute episodes, don't forget to change the bitrate tab to 400, instead of 800.

There shouldn't be anything wrong with making cue/bin files other than having to take up twice the amount of space. The nice thing about vcdeasy though, is you can chapter it. I'd recommend doing this when you chapter. [/url]

MaxJenius · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 5

Yowch... my computer just barfed when I tried to burn using VCD Easy. It's probably due to some setting I didn't set. I think I'll stick with Nero since that is what I know best. I'll keep VCD Easy for generating the chaptered bin/cue files though.

My problem with trying to chapter files is that I'm often converting shows I haven't seen yet, and to search for chapter points only will cause me to spoil the fun due to the fact that I have to seek the video for good chapter points.

*sigh*

LeonMcNichol · Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 38

Personally, I don't care about spoiling the show when I chapter, it's trying to find the damn comercial break image that I hate. I don't know where it is and seeking doesn't help. Confused

As for burning... Well, I could never get VCDEasy to burn for me, so I generate the cue/bins and burn with Nero too.