2 questions about encode

[rdbello]

I have two questions about this topic:

- I converted my VHS into mpeg2 using 5,5 mbits of bitreat (the better choice for 90 minutes of video in DVD, I think), if I had to edit this film and to convert again, with video studio 6, I will have to use 5,5 mbits again or this will reduce the video quality still more?

- What do you prefer or make? to use Variable Bit Rates (VBR) or Constant Bit Rates (CBR)

Thanks All

[slig]

Answers:
1st question: the more times you convert, the worse result you get, 'cause the compression is not lossless.
2nd question: variable bitrate is better, because a program analyzes footage and then distributes bitrate respectively. It allocates more bits to complex scenes and less bits to common scenes. So, you have 2 advantages - first - you can get better quality and second - smaller size. If you encode using constant bitrate, it allocates the fixed number of bits every second, despite of the complexity of footage. Hence the result is - bigger size and also you may get bad quality in some scenes.

[auenf]

Originally posted by slig
Hence the result is - bigger size...

simply encoding with CBR doesnt mean bigger size, the bitrate solely determines the file size, but you may need to increase the bitrate in CBR mode to get quality close to VBR (not that you will get close).

Enf...

[rdbello]

Thanks auenf and slig,

My doubt is:

If I captured my file using 6,5 mgbits average to 8,5 mgbits peack, and edit it after, how much mgbits I need to encode again the same file in the Visual Studio 6? 8,5 mgbits in variable mode maybe?

Thanks

[roach76]

If you encoded it again, like slig said it isn't lossless, it will get worse. Even if you encode the video again at 9000000000000 kbits/sec it wil be worse (Of course at that bitrate the quality loss may not be noticeable but it will be worse and have a massive file size, so if you encoded it again at a practical bitrate it probably would be noticeable though).

If you had to encode it again I would definitely use Muli-pass VBR without a doubt, CBR has nothing on Multi-pass VBR except encoding speed.

My advice is get it right the first time so you don't have to re-encode.

[rdbello]

Thanks, Roach. Sometimes I need to put transitions between some scenes, but I'll try to follow your advice.

[roach76]

I hope I didn't come across rude.

Can Video Studio 6 make it so you can cut the video and add your transition scenes between them without re-encoding?

[rdbello]

Don't worry, your intention was good.

I need to reencode when I edit my videos in VS6. I think that only if you've a great video card like Matrox 2500 or RTX 1000 you don't need to reencode. I've one Dazzle DVC150 USB2.0. I don't have sync problem or any other problem, but I know that card is very basic card.