VCD files on DVD disc instead of CD

ibliss wrote on 11/28/2002, 11:32 PM
Is this possible, and will it play on a regular plain vanilla set-top DVD player?

Currently I'm just burning VCDs using Nero, using MPEG-1 VCD source files.

If/when I buy a DVD-burner, will I be able to MPEG-1 (VCD) files onto DVD, taking advantage of the increased playing time that ~3.7gigs (or whatever it is), or am I restricted to the 2 hour (approx) in MPEG-2 format?

Hope this makes sense :)

Mike K

Comments

PDB wrote on 11/29/2002, 4:01 AM
The amount of playing time will depend on the variables you use when encoding...I don't know whether you can view mpeg-1 files off a recorded dvd but as far as I'm concerned there is absolutely no point: the quality you will get on dvd with mpeg-2 is far superior to vcd (I used to produce vcds in prehistoric times...). Btw the capacity of a dvd is labelled at 4.7GB but in practice it's 4.4GB (I think...). Whatever the case, go ahead, buy a dvd burner, burn mpeg-2 files onto it and you will never want to hear about vcds or mpeg-1 again...IMHO....
ibliss wrote on 11/29/2002, 7:10 AM
Thanks for the reply. I think I'm with you on the quality issue - yeah, MPEG-1 isn't so hot! But to clarify my situation, I currently use Vegas mainly for audio work; I play with the video side of things mainly 'cause it's fun!

I don't yet have a DV Camera so the best input is the analog S-Vid in on my GeForce3 graphics card. I can transfer stuff from VHS such as old recordings of gigs.

Having come from VHS an being filmed in poorly lit smokey environments, I feel that VCD quality will do them justice! It's only really for archiving purposes anyway.

Mike K
SonyDennis wrote on 11/29/2002, 10:19 AM
Most players sense the media type and then look for specific format files. I'm thinking that using VCD format on a DVD-R disc will not work. However, DVD can use MPEG-1, and I think the VCD resolution & bitrate is legal, so you could just make a DVD with VCD bitrate MPEG-1 video. This should play on any DVD player.
///d@
p_l wrote on 11/29/2002, 11:28 AM
http://www.vcdhelp.com/vcddvdr.htm
ibliss wrote on 11/29/2002, 7:23 PM
Thanks everyone for the replies/info/link. I'm clear on the whole DVD-VCD thing now! I just hope the prices of DVD burners drops after the XMAS period....

Mike K
riredale wrote on 11/30/2002, 2:19 PM
Here in Oregon the brand-new -05 burner from Pioneer (the one that burns at 4X) is available for $299 and I think I've seen ads for the slightly older -04 burner for $199.

"4.7GB" is really 4.37GB. The drive manufacturers believe "Giga" should mean "billion," while computer people think it should mean 1,073,741,824. I'm with the drive manufacturers, but I'm not holding my breath waiting for the computer guys to switch.
jetdv wrote on 11/30/2002, 3:53 PM
As long as computers work in 1's and 0's, (on & off), the computer guys CAN'T switch. The number MUST be 2^x and billion isn't but 1073741824 IS. Therefore, I agree with the 4.37 GB and NOT the 4.7.
ibliss wrote on 11/30/2002, 6:33 PM
Quote"Here in Oregon the brand-new -05 burner from Pioneer (the one that burns at 4X) is available for $299 and I think I've seen ads for the slightly older -04 burner for $199."

Here in the UK DVD burners are a little more expensive! :(

The whole gigabyte vs gigabyte seems to be taken for granted, but it is a bit dissapointing to format a 60Gb drive and have 55 gigs available for use!

Mike K