MPEG-1 Codec

ADI2000 wrote on 1/1/2004, 1:41 PM
Hello,

I am currently using VV3 at this time. I am in the process of creating video for distribution on CD-ROM. The bundled Main Concept compression in VV3 is rendering MPEG-1's of barely passable quality, even when I set the quality slider to the maximum. I am unable to increase the bitrate in the Main Concept MPEG-1 plug-in without having errors. The issue that I’m experiencing as far as quality is concerned is that my videos contain numerous stills, text and overlays which all suffer from various forms of artifacting when using the Main Concept MPEG-1 compression. I have just downloaded Main Concept’s stand-alone MPEG Encoder 1.4 as a demo, and it works nicely on small .avi files. However when I attempt to convert larger files, it terminates the processing giving me various errors. My files look crisp and clean when I render them as MPEG-2 files, but few individual systems support this format for video playback. Does anyone have any suggestions for rendering clean, reasonably sized files, which will be compatible with most systems?

Thanks in advance,

Steve M.

Comments

Spot|DSE wrote on 1/1/2004, 2:03 PM
MPEG1 is not optimized in MC, as you've learned. Other tools do better for encoding to MPEG1, but you also might want to consider using another codec, such as win9, with a player installer on the disc? Much, much better quality.
Acts7 wrote on 1/1/2004, 2:53 PM
I have to ask
I just had similar problems.
If you are exporting as a video cd how do you MAKE it work.
I always get a no disc error when the video cd has burned
ADI2000 wrote on 1/1/2004, 3:21 PM
Spot,

Can you elaborate on the preferred tools for MPEG-1 encoding, and on the win9 codec as well? Is the win9 codec supported in Win Media Player? The video that I am to distribute will need to be as universally compatible as possible for the end user. Thanks in advance!

Steve M.
ADI2000 wrote on 1/1/2004, 3:31 PM
Acts 7,

I am only looking to create an MPEG-1, which I will later burn to a CD outside of VV3. I also create an auto-run file, which will accompany the video file on the disc for self-execution on most pcs.
I first use VV3 to edit and render the finished video files. Next, I create an auto-run script in a separate program. I create a folder containing the video and the script, and use a CD burning program such as Nero to create the final master.

Hope this helps

Steve M.
Spot|DSE wrote on 1/1/2004, 5:13 PM
Universally compatible means MPEG1. Unfortunately, we're all spoiled by the quality of so many other codecs. MPEG1 can't be very good, due to it's restricted bitrate. Windows 9 is amazingly good, better than MPEG 2 by a long whallop at equal bitrates. But, it's not ubiquitous. However, Vegas allows you to burn an SVCD with Win9, and include a player/installer with the media. Compatible with anything that isn't Apple or Win95. Many set top players can play Win9 now too, with more to come.
craftech wrote on 1/2/2004, 2:38 AM
TMPGenc works much better at rendering Mpeg 1 than Main Concept. Don't waste your money.

http://www.tmpgenc.net/

John
farss wrote on 1/2/2004, 3:43 AM
John,
I was going to say the same thing, I bought it about two years ago and as promised the upgrades are still free. Not that there's much to improve. Thing I like most is being able to set it up to batch encode and have it turn the PC of when it's done.
ClipMan wrote on 1/2/2004, 6:34 AM
...I use MPEG-1 all the time for distribution on CD...quality on and for the computer screen is excellent...main concept does a great job...use the "custom" setting and check the variable bit rate option as opposed to CBR and you'll save tons of space without losing quality...
ADI2000 wrote on 1/2/2004, 2:38 PM
Chipman,

Unfortunately, file size is not of great concern with respect to the MC MPEG-1. My problem is that numerous overlays and title/diagram pages created outside of VV3, particularly ones containing blue images appear "dirty". I've had a few "non-technical" friends view the results of my efforts, and the general consensus is that image quality appears "blurred" or "unclear" in various segments or the piece. I know there has to be a solution to this issue. I went ahead and downloaded the trial version of TMPGEnc, and I am not impressed at all with what I've rendered thus far using this program. For some reason, the options windows, including bitrate, and image size are grayed out and inaccessible for adjustment. I also downloaded the latest stand-alone version of Main Concepts encoder, however it fails to render large .avi files without fatal errors. If anyone who has not seen this post previously can help. I'd greatly appreciate the advice.

Thanks again,

Steve M.
farss wrote on 1/2/2004, 3:04 PM
If you ar etrying to get best results with low bitrate mpeg (1 or 2) you need to reduce motion as much as possible. The same applies to streaming video. Youshould be able to render at high resolution with a reasonable bitrate and get good results IF you have the absoulte minimum amount of motion.
To expand on this, even a locked off camera can produce a fair bit of motion, the camera only needs a slight breeze to move the image one pixel, the eye want see it but the encoders will, solution: chroma key backgrounds!
Also avoid dissolves and fades. Use as much static material as possible. I did a set of mpeg-1 encodes a few days ago and they looked OK but they were standard video which wil mask a lot of thing. Graphics are a bit trickie but still should be able to give good results.

I think to get TMPEnc to let you use all the options you have to buy it although I thought they had a mpeg-1 only version that was free, might have to dig around the sire a bit to find it.
ClipMan wrote on 1/2/2004, 3:43 PM
ADI2000..."containing blue images appear "dirty".

...what's your source material..? ..what frame size are you putting out...?...if it was an analog capture, then forget about brilliantly clear pictures in mpeg1......if you're looking for fulI screen, forget mpeg1...I use a DV camera as source and hi-resolution stills and do as much titling as I can within VV3...I output 640X480 tops and that's stretching things... lighting is a key factor too...you're gonna get garbage if your lighting is off or if the talent is all over the place...use manual focus only...use a tripod...