Mpeg1 Movie - PAL or Default

Kriben wrote on 2/21/2003, 9:06 AM

I want to distribute my movie on CD as an mpeg1 file; which format should I choose for better quality, PAL (I live in a PAL region) or the default? I am aware that I need PAL for a VCD, but is the quality better if it is just a straight mpeg file? I am also aware that the default file size is also bigger, which leads me to believe that the quality might be better as well with fewer compression artefacts.

Kriben

Comments

discdude wrote on 2/21/2003, 10:46 AM

One of the differences between PAL and NTSC is frame rate. NTSC's frame rate is 29.97 fps vs PAL's 25 fps.

Therefore, I would use 25 fps, especially if your source is PAL (i.e., DV from a PAL camcorder). It makes no sense to use 29.97 fps if your source isn't 29.97.

In general, to avoid compression artifacts, up the bitrate. To figure out the maximum bitrate you can use:

Capacity of CD (in bits) / Length of Video (in sec) = Max Video + Audio bps

However, if you want a VCD, you can ignore all this. VCD's have a fixed bitrate and resolution. Just select the PAL template and go. The above formula only applies to "straight" MPEG files.

Hope this helps.