suitable size for VCD (320x240 or 352x240)?

[george_zhu]

A NTSC VCD is 352x240. So when I encode the file should I make 352x240 mpg or 320x240 mpg for correct AR?:confused:

[Chainmax]

That depends on how compatible you want to make the VCD. If you're using TMPG in order to create the mpg stream, and want to keep the AR of your source, go to "other settings", then to "advance" and select "full screen (keep aspect ratio)" under "video arrange method".

[george_zhu]

:confused: Actually I am going to capture some video. So should I capture it at 320x240 or 352x240?

[Chainmax]

If you can afford the HDD space and have a good CPU, capture at full resolution, filter and resize later. If you can't, then take a look at Doom9's capture guide. You'll find an answer there.

[george_zhu]

Basically I want to convert my tape into VCD. Why do you suggest to capture at higher res and resize it? Does that has any adavantage? I think some articles said I should captured at the same result to make a final project.

I have athlon 2000+, 200G HD. So I should be fine to have a few hours lossless 320x240 video with huffyuv.

[Bubba]

george_zhu,

If you want to capture at 320x240, then it's OK. When you convert to VCD, then tell TMPGEnc to put a border as described.

1. Hit "Setting" button on TMPGEnc and select the "Advanced" tab
2. Set "Source aspect ratio" to "1:1 (VGA)"
3. Set "Video arrange Method" to "Center (Keep Aspect Ratio)"

TMPGEnc will preserve your 320x240 resolution.

Cheers,

[george_zhu]

Actually, I want a full screen (no border) playback in TV. The procedure is to capture from the analog tape and edit and encode. So what resolution should I select?

I have seen some article talk about similar issue in DVD. Although NTSC DVD is 720x480, but what they suggest res to use for capture and edit is 640x480 due to some aspect ratio consideration. :confuse:

Originally posted by Bubba
george_zhu,

If you want to capture at 320x240, then it's OK. When you convert to VCD, then tell TMPGEnc to put a border as described.

1. Hit "Setting" button on TMPGEnc and select the "Advanced" tab
2. Set "Source aspect ratio" to "1:1 (VGA)"
3. Set "Video arrange Method" to "Center (Keep Aspect Ratio)"

TMPGEnc will preserve your 320x240 resolution.

Cheers,

[Kika]

The correct resolution is 352x240. If you are capturing in 320x240, you get square Pixels, but all MPEG-Formats are working with non-square Pixels, so, without resizing, you get a wrong AR.

I have seen some article talk about similar issue in DVD. Although NTSC DVD is 720x480, but what they suggest res to use for capture and edit is 640x480 due to some aspect ratio consideration.

That's nonsens if we are talking about MPEG1 or MPEG2, even for MPEG4 this way is outdated.

[Chainmax]

Originally posted by george_zhu:
Why do you suggest to capture at higher res and resize it? Does that has any adavantage?
With higher resolutions the filters have more data to work with, so you'll end up having higher quality. If you don't plan to do any filtering at all it's probably a moot point.