What is the Ultimate VCD method?

[Sylfest]

I am pretty new to the VCD sceene, and I have read all the newbie material. At this point I am getting more frustrated than helped from all the guides.

I am trying to convert Region 1 coded DVD's (NTSC 29.97, FILM 95% or higher) to VCD to be played on a standard US television (4:3 aspect ratio, NTSC 29.97). I want to keep the original aspect ratio (in letter box if needed)

So far I have tried many of the guides but Im not quite satisfied with the results. If its not the video quality, the audio is bad or out of sync etc. There are just so many different programs and procedures that it becomes hard to find the ultimate combination without endless testing.

Can anyone tell me what the "BEST" (I know this is subject to opinion) procedure, programs and settings are to make the best possible VCD. I am not looking for the simplest or the cheapest procedure, and I dont care if the method takes a relatively longer than other methods. The bottom line is that I want good quality video, dolby surround downmix audio that is in sync with the video (It is preferable if I do not have to manually sync the audio).

I know this is a lot to ask, but if you have the answer and have some time to spare, I would grately appreciate it.

- Sylfest

[da franksta]

best vcd is svcd ;)

[twistee]

Check out the DVD2AVI-->TMPGenc (http://www.doom9.org/mpg/tmpg-main.htm) guide (i know that you arent liking the guides...but they are good...and i cant be bothered to explain how to use a program which is already explained). Probably the easiest and best quality results you can get is by using dvd2svcd...but that gives you svcd, but it is all an automated process (although you need to have a 'proper' copy of cce2.5 otherwise you have a crappy cce logo on the bottom).

Try and take each step at a time if you are a REAL newbie...dont try and do everything at once. Doom9's guides are the best i have seen, trust them.

[Fantasma]

Hello

In the past, I used a method that gave me really good results
following the standards for VCD. First, you must download
XMPEG from:
http://www.mp3guest.com/Xmpeg_Index.asp?l=US

The second step is to get and install the Panasonic Plugin
(The quality is really good), once you have installed both
packages, you must copy the panasonic plugin into XMPEG
folder and rename it to be used by XMPEG, just see the extension
used by the avi plugin to find out the correct one.

I recommend you check the following guides for general reference:
http://nickyguides.digital-digest.com/DVDtoVCD-flask.htm
http://nickyguides.digital-digest.com/flaskmpeg.htm

P.S.
XMPEG is a modified version of flaskmpeg, but faster.

[mordant]

Also check out Sefy's Newbie guide on www.vcdhelp.com it is a little easier to follow.

[Kb_cruncher]

use dvd2avi and tmpeg set at best quality(slowest)and always use the wave as source and not other format.i have done this with 20+ movies without synch issues and i can't tell the difference between dvd and final vcd.

[Taric25]

Panasonic plugin is good quality, but it is slow and fuzzy and has few settings.
TMPEG is better quality, but it is VERY slow, but has lots of settings.
CCE is the BEST quality and it is VERY fast, but has few settings.
Doom9's DVD2AVI-->TMPGenc&CCE hybrid (with IVTC) (http://www.doom9.org/mpg/cce.htm) guide is THE BEST. It is the fastest, highest quality, and most flexible. FlaskMPEG/XMPEG are only for REAL newbies.

[twistee]

Hi,

Is there an automated VCD creation thing, like DVD2SVCD. I can do it any other way, but i was hoping that there was an automated method (as i get so sick of having to do everything manually).

[Taric25]

Try DVDx. It does everything except burn.