about mpeg2

[jannetta]

Hi Guys

Now I don't feel that I really know what I'm talking about, but I just followed the instructions on Doom9.net and had great results. The only problem is that my mpeg2 evaluation (using TMPEng) has run out. I now have to register the software. However, I have a registered copy of Nero and Nero 6 now comes with mpeg2. So, rather than buying TMPEng, I would rather upgrade to Nero 6. Is it possible to use Nero 6 with DVD2SVCD.

All help and comments are appreciated.
Jannetta

[DDogg]

Sorry, no.

[jannetta]

Okay could someone then suggest another solution to this. DVD2SVCD is really handy. I load a DVD or an AVI file and then go away to come back some 12 to 24 hours later with two ready made files for burning SVCDs. I like the way DVD2SVCD creates the SVCDs with no menus and with the little picture of a hand holding a CD indicating the end of the first CD. With Nero 6 I have to split the long AVIs up myself and create menus and stuff. I want the simple solution without having to pay the extra money for a second mpeg2 converter.

Could I perhaps convert the file to mpeg2 with Nero and then get DVD2SVCD to create the two images for me. If so, how?

[DDogg]

I think you would be much better served by VCDEasy. There is a free version I think (or was), and that would be all you really need.

[Nick]

I have an idea. It might not work, I haven't tried it but if you want to I reckon it's worth a go.

Basically many moons ago TMPGEnc used to be true freeware - ie no limit on MPEG2 support. However the quality was a bit ropey compared to CCE so DVD2SVCD did not support it. Later versions, however, (2.50 onwards) were much improved but a licence was required for MPEG2 support after 30 days. In the light of the comparable quality to CCE, DVD2SVCD decided to support TMPGEnc.

What I don't know for sure, but don't see why not, is whether DVD2SVCD will still work if you sneak the old version of TMPGEnc in there! It will be at the expense of some quality cf your current version but Nero's MPEG2 Encoder is pretty lousy anyway if that's your only alternative. I've found a link to the last freeware TMPGEnc...

http://www.neverexpires.com/software/details.asp?Index=680

So deinstall your current version, install this and try it, see if it works. Worst case scenario it doesn't, in which case reinstall the newer version. But you've got nothing to lose by trying. It would be helpful for others, I'm sure, if you could report back and tell us if it works.

Good luck!
Nick

[Nick]

My apologies, the link seems to be dead. Try this one

http://195.27.236.234/downloads/34769/TMPGEnc-0.11.20.98-rel1_Ver12a.zip?1065290057-1065297257-ecdd79-C-68d111d8ca1bdcfce041efb070d2cfb5

[jannetta]

I tried both links. Unfortunately they are both dead.

[Nick]

The second link works for me. Just done a quick test and though this version seems a bit slow, and is in Japanese, it seems to work!

Try the second link again later or try this

http://www.download.de/downloads/d_beitrag_8792352.html

The site is in German but is easy to navigate. Again good luck!

[jannetta]

I managed to download this version of TMPGEnc. All the text is strange characters, but since I don't have to drive it, DVD2SVCD does, it is not a problem. So far it seems to be working. Thanks for all the help.

Now for another question. You mentioned that this mpeg2 conversion and that of Nero is inferior to the new TMPGEnc conversion. Why is this? I would have thought that a conversion is a conversion. How do you compare the quality? Hope this is not a stupid question.

[DDogg]

Just do a google on "TMPGEnc beta 12a". You will find it many places. There is an English patch available also.

[Nick]

@ DDogg - Fair point on the Google front but most of the links are now dead, hence the first two aberrations in this thread.

@ Jannetta - I'm not really qualified to answer your question. Essentially MPEG2 is a compression algorithm, so your "a conversion is a conversion" concept shouldn't be far wrong. But different encoders seem to set about using the algorithm in different ways - if you toggle between the different encoder options in DVD2SVCD an look at the options available they are quite different for each encoder. Different softwares do give differing results. The only test of quality you can do is watch the results and see. There is a clear visible difference in terms of block noise and artefacts around object edges. For watching on an ordinary telly the freeware TMPGEnc is OK at a pinch but big screens and projectors really expose its weakness.

[jannetta]

DDogg and Nick, thank you very much for all you help. The free version of TMPGEnc worked fine. For the moment we are just watching on a normal TV or on a computer screen, so I suppose it will do.

Nick, your response on the mpeg encoding now brings me to another question. I have a lot of home video stuff, some on VHS, some on VHS-C and some on mini-DV. I would like to capture this in the best format possible, this first capture I would like to keep as a master so that I can re-use the tapes. From that I want to make an SVCD and then later when I can affor a DVD-writer, I'll put it on DVD. I have Pinnacle Studio Pro which I will use for capturing.

So the question: What would be the best format to keep the master in, or to which format should I capture the videos.

[Nick]

Honest answer: I don't know.

We are moving somewhat off-topic for this forum. Browse the video capture forum and perhaps start a new thread there if you don't find your answer.

Sorry I can't help.
Nick

[jannetta]

will do, thanks for all the help

[r6d2]

Originally posted by Nick
@ Jannetta - I'm not really qualified to answer your question. Essentially MPEG2 is a compression algorithm, so your "a conversion is a conversion" concept shouldn't be far wrong.
Actually, MPEG-2 is not an algorithm. It is a decompression specification. MPEG-2 does not worry about how you do the encode. It just makes sure every decoder MPEG-2 compliant will play it. ;)

@janetta, IMHO, CVD is the way to go for VHS/VHS-C captures. SVCD/DVD for MiniDV. Look at this thread for more high-tech info:

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=60308