The final output will be VCD Pal. When I rendered in Vegas using mpeg1 template, the result was less than satisfactory. So I need to create a avi file in Vegas and then render with other encoders e.g. tempenc. I am told that tmpgenc does a better job for mpeg1.

If this is the case, then render to Video for Windows, this is DV quality. It is also fairly standard for other apps to encode from an AVI (Video for Windows / DV) format. Also remember, that the Video for Windows format via Vegas does not use the Windows encoder (unless you uncheck the option within the preferences), but rather its own that is superior.

I will often encode to Video for Windows and then encode other formats from the .avi file (i.e. I encode to wmv from the avi since the Windows encoder still allows double pass encoding and is quicker than Vegas). I then encode to any other format from the AVI file.

I am still searching for an encoder that creates high quality VCDs. Any affordable suggestions ?

TMPGenc. www.tmpgenc.net

And.... it's free.

John

VCDs will always look somewhat dodgy, because of the format and resolution (PAL 352 x 288.)

WMV9 at full frame size, 720 x 576, look many times better, and can be played on any PC with Media Player

or .... DVD

John,

I have tmpgenc plus and usually leave the settings at default. Is this the right way to go ? Appreciate your input. Thanks.

try SVCD. It's a higher res & bitrate. Looks worlds better then VCD (but you fit less on a disc)

I hear that Canopus ProCoder 2 gives good results.
Best/Tommy

No need usually to change the defaults. If you've got something from dodgy VHS then you can use some of the noise filters and try masking the edges to get a cleaner result.
I don't know why everyone has it in for VCD, there's a bigger market for VCD than DVD! Coming off good sources like SP or DB it can look surprisingly good and it's as cheap as chips. After making 100s of VCDs I've yet to have one that wouldn't play in any DVD player or VCD player.
Bob.

Sorry if I've misjudged VCD, Bob - I've put out a couple of VCD projects - about 4 years ago, using Adaptec software.

I still sell a few, but I've always thought they looked very average - because that's how mine looked! (The same video looked fine on DV and even VHS dubs were better than VCD)
Maybe today's software would do better, but there's no demand for VCDs in my village.

When I encoded a SCVD with tmpgenc plus, the video looks stretched on TV. Have tried the various settings in aspect ratio but still no luck. Is there a setting I missed ?