The Super Video CD

[Vince]

Hello,

Over the past few days, I've been trying to create a Super Video CD. With the help of this forum, I finally got a setup that works for me. I did the following:

1. Downloaded TMPGEnc 12a, and put on the English patch.
2. Converted my rendered avi file to MPEG2 using the provided SVCD template file.
3. Used NERO to create the SVCD, and burned it.

The results looked GREAT on my Philips 711 DVD player. It detected it as an "SVCD" and lets you use all the player's features available (like both audio tracks, etc.).

One thing that I couldn't figure out was when i set up MSP6 to create the MPEG2 file I couldn't get it to work. I changed the INI file like Dr. Mordrid had stated in an earlier post to open up the advanced settings. I then set it up to SVCD specs, and created the file.

But when I went to burn the CD, NERO warned me that it was MPEG1 and not MPEG2, but still allowed me to create the off-standard SVCD, which did not play in my DVD player. What I cannot understand is that I am certian that I created it as an MPEG2, and not MPEG1.

I'd liek to figure this problem out because it would be really nice to make the MPEGs straight from MSP, and save a step or two. (Unless TMPGEnc has superior quality over MSP's LSX encoder)


Any comments, questions or insight would be appreciated. And thanks to all the users of MURC for the good info.

Vince

[Alf Fulford]

Vince

I am about to take delivery of a Philips DVD711 player in a few days time for playing my homemade movies on SVCD disks so I was very pleased to read your recomendation of this DVD player.

I think I know why your MPEG-2 files were not recognised by Nero-5

In MSPro be sure to set the Frame size (first click on User defined) to 480 x 576
and not the default 720 x 576. The Width of 480 and Height of 576 is the SVCD standard size. TMpg-Enc is superior to the MSPro encoder that is rather dated.

Lets hear some more about the Philips DVD711 will it play every thing you throw at it?

Regards - Alf

[paulw]

I would not use MSPRO to create the MPEG2 files. They are terrible. Use TMPGE to create them with the template. The results are much better

[Dr Mordrid]

Absolutely true. TMPGEnc is the way to go.

Dr. Mordrid

[Vince]

Okay, I will stick with TMPGEnc then.

Alf,
I've tried DVDs, SVCDs, and VCDs in the player. Dvds play great, SVCDs play great too, and VCDs play good except that in the one I was playing the player wasn't too responsive when i tried to seek through the video, but that may have been the CD. I also like the component outs on the player, so if your TV supports component video you can take advantage of that. The optical and coaxial digital audio outs are nice features too. I can't tell you if the player accepts off-standard formats sich as XVCDs, and miniDVDs as I haven't tried them yet. I hope you enjoy the player and feel free to ask any questions!

Vince

Oh, and by the way, i did have MSP set to the correct resolution (480x480 for NTSC).

[IvanP]

Vince,

There is a link for SVCD image with 2 audio tracks and subtitles cca 11MB:

http://www.vcdhelper.com/svcd.htm

you can find more info there too.

Can you test it on your player please? If all features works. On my Pioneer 525 only first audio track works. Subtitles and 2nd audio doesn't.

One question more: What happend when you press and hold fast backward (scan backward) on VCD or SVCD disk with multiple tracks (or entrypoins) and when it reaches the beginning of the track (or some entrypoint):

1.Does it continue from the end of previous track (sequence) scanning back, ..etc...beginning of disk/first track

or

2. Loop-back a feew frames forward on the same track (or sequence of track between two entrypoints) and then back to the beginning and around, around, .... It's impossible continuous backward scanning (going backward throught all tracks) of whole disk as possible on DVD or CD-audio.

I hope you'll understand the last question. English is not my mother-language.

Ivan

[Sciascia]

Phil,
I have heard of others with the same problems as you with still images. I remember reading somewhere about swapping fields. This doesn't make a lot of sense to me since it is a .bmp, but maybe it will help. They may have been talking about creating .mpg clips with stills, but maybe there is something useful for you in this knowledge.

[Phil Pugh]

Alf,

I have a 711. It does a great job on DVD/SVCD/VCD. I've not tried XCVD so can't comment. It doesn't play miniDVD nor does it play .MP3. I use TMPGEnc v12a for creation of VCD/SVCD material. Be warned - you need to stay within the spec bit rates. I burnt an SVCD with video rate of 2800 - it spat it out.

It also has a problem with still images. I created an SVCD with I-Author that had menus and still images along with normal video. The 711 only displays part of the still image (About top 3/4). I have a way around this, which is to create mini MPG's of the images - these work fine - but it is time consuming. As still images are part of the spec I find this annoying to say the least. I have heard from other Philips users (711 and other units) that they also have this problem. No word from Philips.

Overall I am pleased with the 711 - it's not expensive and it does play my home-brew video SVCDs.