What are the differences between VCD and SVCD?

[sky51fire]

I realized that the "S" stands for super, but can anyone explain to me the differences between VCD and SVCD. Can both be played on a regular DVD player,etc?

[Dundy]

VCD & SVCD Guides

VCD is the oldest format of the bunch. It uses MPEG-1 compression at a fixed bitrate and offers VHS like quality, usually on 2 CDs (very short movie might fit on one CD, very long movies require 3 CDs). SVCD is a younger format and is MPEG-2 based. It allows LaserDisc like quality, usually on 3 or more CDs. SVCD allows you to use VBR encoding to distribute the bits more effectively and allows MPEG layer 1 and 2 audio. Theoretically it also allows for multichannel sound and VBR audio but this has never before been achieved due to the fact that there's virtually no player which actually would output the multichannel sound (usually all you get is 2 channel output). Both formats are essentially designed for standalone playback.

http://65.43.78.94/

[sky51fire]

Thanks Dundy ... I have an mpeg file ... how do I know whether it is MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 so I may be able to make VCD or SVCD respectively. Thanks.

[Dundy]

Muốn biết Mpeg-1 hay Mpeg-2 dùng WinSubMux. Vào phần SVCD Info & Time to FileSize. Chọn Input MPEG file sau đó bấm vào Analyse.

WinSubMux có thể download ở đây: http://www.vcdhelp.com/tools.htm

[sky51fire]

Thanks Dundy ... i did what you told me and the file was MPEG-1. Is there any way to convert it to MPEG-2? Can an MPEG-1 made into SVCD or it is exclusively for MPEG-2 only?

[PNQ]

Yes, there are ways to convert MPEG1 to MPEG2. The quality is, however, not better than the original MPEG1.

I think you can load the mpeg1 in TMPGenc, choose an SVCD template and then reencode it to mpeg2. You can also load the mpeg1 file in AVIsynth then frameserve it to CCE.

[My Anh]

sky51fire:
About the 2nd part of your question "can any regular DVD player play VCD, SVCD" ?

No.
But most can play VCD. And most don't do SVCD.
If look and prestige is not an issue, just get the Apex AD1500. It plays "everything".
- It's one of the cheapest DVD player available ($60-$80 or something)
- It's pretty ugly, but it'll do the job.
I know somebody who was so amazed by it and bought 3 of them !

[thily]

Apex got into a lawsuit and must stop providing VCD support on their players from now on. Bad news ! If you can find some earlier production units then it's OK but the later units don't have VCD so watch out.

[My Anh]

VCD is not an issue, as most DVD player can do it.
But Apex AD1500 (and only a handful of other models) pcan also play SVCD & XVCD.
Apex AD1500 can also play DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW .
So can Apex AD1200, which costs barely more than $50.
The AD1500 is on sale (still hot!) this weekend at where I live.

[ezdoors]

Apex DVD player can play virtually any files (format).....as .vcd, svcd, jpeg, mpg, mpeg, mp3, etc

[yeudoi]

IS SVCD the same quality as video tape quality?