Is this encoding method ok?

[nomad32]

Hi,

I am encoding a NTSC SVCD (Telecined)to DivX5 and just want to check with you guys that I'm am doing it a good way.

1. Load the mpeg2 files into DVD2AVI and create a project using Force Film, PC Scale, and YUV 4:2:2.

2. Convert to VFAPI avi file.

3. Apply a resize filter with Precise Bicubic from 480x272 to 480x204. Encode with 2-pass DivX 5 in Virtual Dub.

4. Join audio (VBR MP3) back to video with Nandub.

Can anyone point out problems or ways of achieving better quality?

Thanks for the help.

Jonathan

[DJ Bobo]

Instead of using VFAPI you can use AviSynth. This will be much faster.
In theory using AviSynth gives better quality, since you stay in YUY2 and don't convert to RGB. You can then use Fast Recompress in VD instead of Full processing Mode. But the better quality is only theoretical ;)
Well the most important reason to switch to AviSynth is speed!

Another thing: you don't need BicubicResizing since you're resizing in only one direction. So you better go for BilinearResizing, this gives you also a speed boost.
And resize to 480x208 not 204 since 204 can't be divided with 16

NB: you can now encode to DivX5 using the utility of Jonny if you go the AviSynth way, it's very comfortable. We are just waiting for the new version with job list and shutdown option :D

[nomad32]

Ok, ive given anisynth a go :) here is the script i am using:

LoadPlugin("C:\Temp\MPEG2DEC.dll")
mpeg2source("noclip.d2v")
Crop(0,102,480,272)
BilinearResize(640,272)

Anything wrong with this script? It seems to work fine. I have still set dvd2avi to use Force Film to ivtc it. Should I use avisynth to do this as well? Could someone give an example of how I could do this?

Also, I tried using Fast Recompress in VirtualDub but it gave an error saying Fast Recompress needs YUV input, a potential error has been detected. Can I ignore this?

Thanks for the help :):)

Cheers

[nomad32]

Ok, I'm now using avisynth to do most of the work. Dvd2avi is not doing force film anymore. This is my avisynth script now:

LoadPlugin("MPEG2DEC.dll")
LoadPlugin("decomb.dll")
mpeg2source("none.d2v")
Telecide()
Decimate(cycle=5)
Crop(0,102,480,272)
BilinearResize(640,272)

Is this the right order to do this in?
Any other suggestions?

Cheers

[DJ Bobo]

Sorry, you missunderstood me, if you're going to enlarge, you got to use BicubicResize, even if you're resizing in only one direction, because you are interpolating new points.
So if you're going to enlarge, I suggest the following:

BicubicResize(640,272,0,1.0)

If you want to downsize:

BilinearResize(480,208)