dvd newbie question

[jwmoebius]

You can make a S-VCD. For that you need to encode you movie in 480x576 (for NTSC it's 480x480) MPG2 with reduced bitrate and multiplex it for SVCD and burn to CD-R. There are a lot of share/freeware SVCD apps and most modern DVD players can read the format. There also a thing called mini-DVD which is basically DVD with lower bit rate on regular CD-R but that is not often supported in DVD players.

[BrianHarbauer]

Howdy! DVD players won't play the raw mp2 format, your computer will read it though because it's an actual file, but for dvd players to understand it, it needs to be .vob -Which you need an encoder to do, such as adobe encore, dvd it, etc... actually adobe has a 30 day trial for encore that works fully till the time expires. If your familiar with adobe, you'll be right at home. If you like it GO BUY IT! it's a great program. Other option would be a cDVD, this work !!!ONLY WITH SUPPORTED DVD PLAYERS!!! Basicly it burns the DVD files (*.vob) onto a cd disc. So, if your on a hunt for dvd players, and you want to play in that format, make sure that it say cDVD. Hope things work out with ya, Good Luck!http://www.cgtalk.com/images/icons/icon10.gif


Oh, or like jwmoebius said, you can make a s-vcd too, but you need a program to encode that too, you cannot just drop the files on cd.

[sundialsvc4]

And does the instruction-manual for the DVD-player in question need to mention specifically that it recognizes this format?

[BrianHarbauer]

sundialsvc4 - And does the instruction-manual for the DVD-player in question need to mention specifically that it recognizes this format?

I'm assuming you where reffering to cDVD?

Either way, yes, the manual must specificly mention that it supports it. Such as mine says,

"Supports: DVD/SVCD/CD/CD-R/VHS/SVHS"

In my case, mine DOES NOT support cDVD. But it will play SVCD's.

If i had a choice between SVCD's or cDVD, i would use the cDVD. If your using this as a demo reel, this is somthign to show off your good work, i would assume, so you would want it to look good right? SVCD's compression is... bad. If you want low rez, blocky, (looks like an OVERCOMPRESSED jpeg) than that's SVCD, even worse is VCD. Just make sure whatever you use it's compatable with your player.

Tip: Go out and buy a good dvd burner. they're cost has dropped so much. I bought my sony dru-500a for about $349, now you can get a dual layer one for around $100. If you get a sony, you won't have to worry about the stupid plus or minus wars. (I'll answer what i can on that, but, that's a heated subject with people) Basicly, get one that does both formats, + and -. Then you can burn somthing that will play on ANYONES player. A very good idea if this is a DEMO REEL.

Good luck! Let me know how it goes, or if i just confused things, either way, i'll keep checking back. Let me know if i'm at all helpful.http://www.cgtalk.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[sundialsvc4]

Yeah, I sorta suspected that bit about compression, and I agree with your recommendation. DVD burners are cheap. And the format is something you know will actually be compatible with off-the-shelf player hardware.

(Although you do need to "actually test" such things... there's some really doggy-dog DVD hardware out there being sold for [literally] $49 at Wal-Mart. Some of these won't play user-DVDs well... they go "kachunka-chunka-spitooie :rolleyes: ...)

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