Overview

This guide explains in detail how to convert any AVI file (either DivX, XviD, etc) into a VideoCD disc ready for use with your standalone or portable DVD/VCD player.

• The guide uses TMPEGEnc Plus to convert the source AVI file to MPEG format

• The source AVI file exceeds the maximum VCD capacity, therefore in the guide we explain how to generate two VCD discs, this without the need to split the source AVI file

• You can also use this guide to create an SVCD by changing the desired MPEG format on the first step, SVCD offers more quality but shorter video length

  Required Software

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TMPEG Encoder Plus

MPEG encoding application

Nero Burning Rom

CD burning suite

VirtualDub

AVI video editor (used for audio extraction)

  Step 1: Select Target MPEG Format

When starting TMPEG Encoder, the Wizard will popup showing the following options.

Since our source AVI file is in 23.976 FPS, we will select NTSC Film for the output format from the Video-CD list. Because our AVI file is length is 114 minutes and the maximum VCD capacity is 70 minutes per disc, we will configure TMPEG Enc to generate two separate MPEG files.

If you prefer to achieve a slightly higher audio/video quality, you can choose to create an SVCD, however its maximum video length is shorter than the VCD's one.

A full features comparison between different VCD formats can be found here.

  Step 2: Select Source Files

TMPEG Encoder cannot process the audio stream directly from the AVI file, therefore the audio stream must be saved as a separate WAV file using VirtualDubMod as explained here.

Once you have the AVI and the WAV files ready, select them with the Browse button.

Select the 1:1 (VGA) aspect ratio, we will apply the correct ratio somewhere else later.

  Step 3: Filter Settings

Since our AVI file has a length of 114 minutes and the maximum VCD capacity is 70 minutes, we'll have to split the output into two MPG files. To do so, activate the Source range option.

This will show the following dialog, in which you must select the start and end frames to indicate the video segment to be processed for the first disc. Advance the slider to a position not higher than 70 minutes, and click this Set end frame button.

If you are creating an SVCD, each output segment will have a maximum length of 50 minutes.

Here we have selected 1 hour to make the length of both discs similar.

To select the proper video aspect ratio, activate the Clip frame option, and in the popup dialog click the Arrange setting button.

From the Arrange Method drop down list select the Full screen (keep aspect ratio) mode. You can also select other mode but try to keep the correct aspect ratio.

It's recommended not to use the Noise reduction filter unless you are sure it will really improve the image quality. Applying this filter will make the encoding process much slower.

  Step 4: Bitrate Settings

In this step you'll the current settings for the encoding process. You can also view how much space will it require to be burned on different media types, this is for information purposes only.

Click the Expert button to show the complete process settings. there go to the Audio tab and activate the Use audio edit option.

Click Setting and the following dialog will show up.

Here click the Normalize button and enter a value such as 80 or 90, this will analyze the audio file and determine a value for volume change. To ensure this value is suitable, click Play to hear the result audio stream.

  Step 5: Set Output File

In this last step of TMPEG Enc you must specify the output filename and location.

If your settings are for a single VCD, then you should start encoding immediately this project. Else, check the Create another project option and repeat steps 1 to 5 again, only this time you must change the Source range processing to have the other half of the movie converted to MPG.

The encoding process may take several hours to finish, therefore we recommend to do it at night or whenever the computer is not in use.

  Step 6: Burn the VCD

The final step is to burn the VCD disc using the converted MPG file. Here we use the standard Nero Burning Rom to do it, though it's possible to use the Nero Express version as well.

In the New Compilation window, select the VideoCD disc type and leave the default settings. Select PAL or NTSC accordingly to the format selected in TMPEG Encoder previously.

Click New and Nero will show the local files explorer, the VCD disc structure and the movie section. Simply drag and drop the created MPG file into the movie area (the one over the Play button) to add it to the disc, and burn the compilation as usual. To make the burn process safer, select a speed from 24x to 32x, specially when using cheap CD-R discs.

If you have problems with Nero or the resulting VCD disc on your PC or standalone player, make sure you have configured TMPEG Encoder exactly as explained in this guide.

To test your VCD, open Media Player Classic and go to File > Open CD-ROM, this will start the VCD playback immediately. You could also use a CD-RW for test purposes, but remember not all devices can read CD-RW discs.

  Questions? Comments?

If you have any questions or need support regarding this guide or article, don't hesitate to ask at the DivXLand.org forum personally.

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