What is the best method of scaling SVCD to 720*480 before encoding with CCE ?

[Taz69]

Thanks to the SVCD > DVD guide I have been able to use Maestro to seamlessly merge 3 SVCDs onto 1 DVD-R . I want to convert the m2v file from 480*480 to 720*480 so that it will play on any DVD player.

I understand that it is possible to use TMPGEnc to scale the video and then use CCE to re-encode the m2v but I cannot find any information on how to do this.

Please could someone give me some advise on what is the best way to scale the m2v file as well as recommending what software and settings I'll need so that I can scale and encode with CCE, retaining the best possible quality and speed.

I have been using CCE 2.64 (Just got 2.66 beta to try as well) for a while to backup DVDs and am happy with its speed and quality.

I am not sure if scaling to 720*480 or 352*480 would offer best results and would welcome any advise on the best way of scaling a mpeg file and encoding with CCE.

I hope to end up with is both SVCD & DVD compliant versions of my movie on 1 DVD-R with a simple menu so that I can choose which version I which to play depending on if it is being played on a standalone player or a PC/Compatible DVD player

[jdobbs]

You should scale up to 720x480 rather than down. Going from 480 down to 352 loses too much horizontal resolution and it is very noticable. When you go up, you'll find the compression ratio still stays high, as the "true" original resolution can't really be made to be any greater than the original 480x480.

I personally use AVISynth as a frame server to scale SVCDs up for DVD. You should use Bicubic resizing, as it works better when enlarging a picture. I use CCE to encode, but version 2.50 -- not sure whether AVISynth can be made to work with 2.64???

[Taz69]

Thanks for the tip AVISynth works a treat with CCE 2.66 beta.

You were right in that it doesn't work with 2.64 eventhough I think there is an updated version which does work.

I hope I am not speaking too quickly (burning as I type) but I've managed to get both 480*480 & 720*480 versions onto 1 DVD-R and from the quick preview quality looks pretty damn good :D

[Matthew]

Very latest version of CCE 2.64 does work...I use it myself ;)

[Taz69]

Thanks for the tip. I'll remember that if I have any problems with the 2.66 beta