How to DVD2SVCD into a Single Mpeg File?

[Analog-X]

HI Everyone,

I've been learking here for quite a while now and this place is a great resource. Almost 90% of the time I use the search feature and find the answers I'm looking for. But there are 2 Questions that sort of link to each other.

I'm building a MultiMedia PC which will have all my MP3's + My DVD Movies in an easily accessable format. I will be using an ATI All-In-Wonder 9000 Card for Video Output to an 45" Rear Projection TV. its an old TV not one of those new HDTV Kinds.

Question 1:
Is there a way to use DVD2SVCD to produce a Single MPEG File? Instead of splitting them into 700 meg Chunks? I would like to convert my Movies to Single SVCD Files so they take up less space and can easily be accessed.

Question 2:
Should I bother converting to SVCD format? or should I convert them into DIVX Taking up less HD Space? can I produce good quality DIVX comparable to SVCD? and can I use DVD2SVCD to convert into DIVX somehow?

I tried using the search option with various keywords but couldnt find the answers I'm looking for.

any suggestions would be appreciated.

[ditto_n]

#1 yes, just goto the "Bitrate" tab and change all the "CD Size" options on the right side to a higher size.

#2 If you are only using these movies for computer watching, then yes you should use a codec, but I do NOT recomend divx, Xvid maybe, but not divx. I have never delt with encoding and compressing movies, but I think Gordian Knot is the same deal as Dvd2Svcd, except for using codecs.

[Analog-X]

Originally posted by ditto_n
#1 yes, just goto the "Bitrate" tab and change all the "CD Size" options on the right side to a higher size.

#2 If you are only using these movies for computer watching, then yes you should use a codec, but I do NOT recomend divx, Xvid maybe, but not divx. I have never delt with encoding and compressing movies, but I think Gordian Knot is the same deal as Dvd2Svcd, except for using codecs.

Thanks I'll try setting the CD Size to DVD-R and see if that does the trick.

I might just stick to SVCD format and pick up a 200 GIG Drive to hold all my multimedia. I figure I have about 400 Audio CD's to convert and about 100 DVD Movies.

Its a pain in the a$$ to go through 400 Audio Cd's to listen to a few songs so makes sense to dump them to my hard drive. Same with the movies.

Think of it as a Audio/Video JukeBox. I figure I'll use the ATI Remote control to access everything and have the PC hidden behind the TV.

[r6d2]

Just a little further comments:

If you only increase the media size but stick to VBR, DVD2SVCD will still try to match that size, so you may end up with movies that occupy more space than actually needed.

Because of this, you should use a quality based encode when output size does not matter. I recommend CCE's OPV mode, which will produce a movie whose size will be just the required for the selected quality you used.

In OPV, a value of Q.factor=20 or 30 will give you great results. A value of 10 will produce a big file, but with almost perfect quality.

You also have to check "Don't make images" on the CD Image tab to get the results you expect. Output will be a muxed MPEG-2 file ready to play (no chapters though).

If you want the best quality, you might also use DVD frame size as output (still in SVCD mode), or straight DVD output.

Regarding your SVCD/DivX dilema, as of now DVD2SVCD does not produce DivX output, and it is likely not to ever do it.

But if I were you, since the destiny of your files is to always be played from a PC, I'd use AVIs as output, encoded with DixV/XviD.

These codecs are based in MPEG-4 (unlike DVDs/SVCDs which are MPEG-2) and produce significantly smaller files with very good quality.

For instance, my encode of LOTR using DivX takes 1.5-GB with full resolution. Similar quality can only be achieved with DVD2SVCD encoding a DVD or a 3 CD SVCD (2.4-GB)

Gordian Knot is a good tool to encode XviD/DivX, but it is not so easy to master as DVD2SVCD.

There is also the GordianKnotItFast4U tool (beta) for XviD, AKA "Gordiant Knot for Dummies". (Check the Gordian Knot forum for it).

There's also Dr.DivX, which is even easier (but not free) and which deserves to be called "DivX for grannies").

OTOH, DVDs/SVCDs have the advantage of portability, should you ever decide to burn them.

Hope this helps. (Not so little comments after all :))

[ditto_n]

Thanks for goin in depth for me arsixdeetoo, It was somthing I kinda knew, i had to say somthing, lol.

[Analog-X]

I would like to thank you for the Detailed Reply and explanation. There is just so much to know about Codecs/compressions Video Setttings etc.. that unless you have a place like this...it is impossible to know everything.

I'm just appreciative that you guys are around :)

a Big Thank YOU.

[len0x]

Originally posted by r6d2
There is also the GordianKnotItFast4U tool (beta) for XviD, AKA "Gordiant Knot for Dummies". (Check the Gordian Knot forum for it).
There's also Dr.DivX, which is even easier (but not free) and which deserves to be called "DivX for grannies").


I beg you pardon - in what way Dr.DivX is easier ? :)

[r6d2]

Originally posted by len0x
I beg you pardon - in what way Dr.DivX is easier ? :)
Sorry, len0x, glad you pointed it out. I meant even easier to master than DVD2SVCD.

IMHO your tool (for dummies) is easier than Dr.DivX (for grannies.)

I consider grannies more capable than dummies when it comes to understand what they're doing. ;)