Burn a Super Video CD (SVCD) in Nero 5.5.10.xTopics on this page:
SVCDThe video CD (VCD) is a low resolution format using mpeg1 lossy compression encoding. Super Video CD is somewhat in between VCD and the much higher resolution DVD in quality. DVD writers are becoming more popular as the price comes down but if you don't have one yet, SVCD is the next best solution. A standard SVCD uses: mpeg2 video encoding, 480x480, 29.97 fps (NTSC) or 480x576, 25 fps (PAL) resolution and audio in 44.1 KHz, 16 Bit, Stereo, 224 Kbs mepg2. The video bitrate can be variable (1.5 - 3 Mbs) or constant. There is no one setting which suits all video types. It depends on how much detail and motion. Usually you will have to experiment to find the optimal setting. The audio can be mono in both tracks or bilingual. Your computer DVD-ROM or standalone DVD player should be able to recognise the SVCD format (old models often don't); if not then try the other compatibility options (see below) and other brands of CDR.
Capturing and EncodingMore details about how to capture and encode the video in this format can be found here. Basically you either capture it straight as mpeg2 SVCD format with a suitable device or re-encode the video from other formats (such as AVI) to mepg2. If you need to re-encode the video, use TMPGEnc Plus as it is a better encoder than Nero's. I find that capturing video at average 2.3 Mbs variable bitrate (VBR) with IBP frames (e.g. 4P2B) using the ATI All-In-Wonder Radeon card with the AMD xp1600+ processor to be satisfactory with no dropped frames, visible pixels or audio-video becoming out of synchronisation. During capture, CPU activity is 78-79%. A standard 700MB CDR will hold 40 min of mpeg2 as SVCD compared to 80 min of mpeg1 as VCD (using ISO mode 2). Therefore plan your capture beforehand. Once you have the mpeg2 files on the hard disc follow the steps below using Nero Burning Rom 5.5.10.x. If you have earlier versions I suggest updating to 5.5.10.x (only the 5.5.10.54 update remains available) or to version 6 if you are getting it the first time.
Using NeroIn the Nero New Complication dialogue window, choose Super Video CD on the left pane. Choose PAL or NTSC. Leave the Create standard compliant CD box ticked (Fig. 1). The options in the Compatibility tab can be left to default (as MPEG2 and ENTRYVCD standard); if your DVD player cannot play the SVCD then try the other options.
Fig. 1. New Compilation, Super Video CD option.
Next, you can click the Now button to go to the File Browser window to drag and drop your mpeg2 files across to the compilation window as in VCD. Or you can configure the remaining options before doing this. In the Menu tab, tick Enable menu and set your options if you wish to have a menu. The available options are the same as for making a VCD (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2. The Menu tab options.
In the ISO tab, the options are again similar to those for VCD (Fig. 2). Choose ISO Level 2 for long file names. The Joliet option is not strictly necessary as you won't have subdirectories but tick it anyway if you use Unicode filenames.
Fig. 3. The ISO tab options.
The rest of the steps are the same as for burning a VCD but note that the Play tool in the compilation window does not render the video in the correct aspect ratio. Remember the usual precautions for burning video: defragment the partition, leave enough empty space, close other non-essential programmes, disconnect from the internet, use Just Link and Disk-at-Once and burn at a low speed.
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Copyright © 2003 by Kilian. All my articles including graphics are provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. I hereby disclaim all warranties with regard to the information provided. In no event shall I be liable for any damage of any kind whatsoever resulting from the information. The articles are provided in good faith and after some degree of verification but they may contain technical or typographical errors. Links to other web resources may be changed at any time and are beyond the control of the author. Articles may be added, removed, edited or improved at any time. No support is provided by the author. This is not an official support page for any products mentioned. All the products mentioned are trademarks of their companies. Edit the registry at your own risk and back up first. Last updated 7 Feb 2004 |
