Looking for a DVD2VCD guidefor making High Quality VCD's

[johnmc]

I am a newbie at converting dvd2vcd's. I've tried some different guides on how to convert dvd2vcd and the picture quality stinks REAL BAD. I've heard there are guides to making high quality VCD's but I don't know what's good. I would appreciate it if someone could recomend some to me, also I need some good programs for the conversion. I have a PIII 1GHz computer with a 20 gig harddrive.

Thanks for your help

[setarip]

This is what I do:

From Ripping through VCD (by setarip)

1) Rip DVD with Clad v.1.71(not MDEC, the one I use is an older, totally reliable version - not to say that the MDEC version is unreliable)

2) Convert to .AVI using Flask v.0.594PX3 (improved conversion time versus "plain vanilla" 0.594 - and less prone to lockup)
A) Using DivX v.3.11 codec (Fast Motion 910kbps, keyframe every 10 seconds)
B) Using PCM (uncompressed) audio at 48,000Khz (Maintains synchronization of audio and video)

3) Load .AVI into VirtualDub v.1.4D
A) Set "Video" to "Direct Stream Copying"
B) Set "Audio" to "Full Processing Mode"
C) Under "Audio", click on "Conversion", select "44,100Khz"
D) Under "Audio", click on "Compression" select "MP3", "44,100Khz", "96Kbps"
E) Save revised .AVI with new filename

Then, to create a VCD:

1) Load .AVI file into TMPGEnc
2) Set to "System Video and Audio" (lower right side)
3) Click on "Setting" radio button
4) Click on "System" tab, change mode to "MPEG1-VideoCD" (from default of "MPEG1")
5) Click on "Advanced" tab, change "Video arrange method" to "Center (Custom Size"), change dimensions to 352x288 or 352x240
6) Change "Source aspect ratio" to either "4:3 525 line (NTSC 704x480)", "4:3 525 line (NTSC)", or "16:9 525 line (NTSC)" - If you're in the PAL world choose either of the two similar PAL settings instead
7) Under the "Video" tab, change the dimensions to 352x288 or 352x240 (Note: "Video" tab mode of "MPEG1" is okay)
8) Change "Rate Control Mode" to "Automatic VBR (CQ_VBR)
9) Press "Start"

Note that if your video runs longer than 60 minutes, you'll have to subsequently split your VCD-MPG file in two. This too can be easily and precisely accomplished using TMPGEnc. Under the "Files" dropdown menu, click on "MPEG Tools" and select the "Merge & Cut" tab. Once again, make sure to change the mode to "MPEG1-Video CD". Load your file and enter a new (.MPG) name in the "Output file" box. Then doubleclick on the ORIGINAL file's name in the window, which will bring you to the cutting area. Select your desired start and end points for the first half, click on "Okay" which will bring you back to the first window and generate (in a sequence of three automated steps) the first new file. To create the second new file, repeat the steps starting with "Then doubleclick on the ORIGINAL..." (be extra patient with the second half, as the program has to do more seeking to establish the beginning of the new file).

Let us know of your success ;>}

[Spider1dpr]

Setarip, Question on time of completion

Using your fomat/procedures what is the average time from start to finish and is there a bundle of all the programs you use?

after you set all of this up will it save your settings or will you need to do this every time. I believe everyone is looking for the fastest but best quality total ripping process from front to end.

DPR

As noted in my previous threads and responses, I have been very successful with other programs but still would like to find the best ripper in all aspects.

THX Again..

[setarip]

"Using your fomat/procedures what is the average time from start to finish and is there a bundle of all the programs you use?"

I've never actually tabulated the combined time (I don't necessarily do all of these procedures in one session), but on one of my machines, an Athlon 800, Iwould estimate 9-10 hours.

I'd be surprised if someone has bothered to bundle the specific individual programs that I use.

"after you set all of this up will it save your settings or will you need to do this every time. I believe everyone is looking for the fastest but best quality total ripping process from front to end"

TMPGEnc retains MOST (automatically reflects the dimensions of of the incoming .AVI file) of the settings. There's only one setting to be made for Clad. Flask 0.594 requires that you enter new settings after each new startup of the program. VirtualDub always returns to its default settings at each new startup.

My pleasure ;>}