Understanding Video DVD formats and VCD and SVCD

[jedi]

Understanding Video DVD formats and VCD and SVCD

MPEG stands for ‘Moving Pictures Experts Groups’. It is a group
working under the directives of the International Standards
Organization (ISO) and the International Electro-Technical Commission
(IEC). MPEG is a committee of experts from the audio, video and
computer industries developing an evolving series of standards for
compression of moving images. The committee has created several
standard methods for encoding video and audio. DVDs and VCDs use the
MPEG 2 and MPEG 1 standards, respectively.

MPEG-1 defines a framework for compressing video and audio,
significantly reducing the amount of storage needed while keeping
acceptable quality. The MPEG-1 video compression method takes
advantage of the fact that often, many frames in a row are very
similar (showing the same background and objects, for instance, with
only an actor's face and hands moving). For each frame, it is only
necessary to record how it differs from the previous frame, saving
storage space. In addition, the audio encoding uses something called
psychoacoustics—compression removes the high and low frequencies a
normal human ear cannot hear.

MPEG-2 is not a successor to MPEG-1. Both of these formats have their
applications. MPEG-1 is used in VCDs and on the web for short video
and animation files. One of the MPEG-1 audio compression standards,
MPEG 1 Layer III, is the most common compression method for audio
files used on portable devices, under the name "MP3." MPEG-2 is used
for higher resolution video, digital television and on DVD's.

What is a VCD?

VCD stands for Video Compact Disc. Video and audio are encoded using
MPEG-1. A CD-ROM can hold about 800 megabytes of data. Most stand-
alone DVD players can play VCDs.

VCD is still the most universally compatible format for wide video
distribution. Anybody with a DVD player, VCD player or a computer
with CD-ROM drive can play VCDs. The video quality is better than
most other formats and is adequate for typical home viewing. The
physical medium used, CD-R or CD-RW, is very inexpensive and widely
available.

What is a DVD?

DVD stands for Digital Versatile Disc. A DVD stores its audio and
video in MPEG-2 format. A DVD player or a computer equipped with a
DVD drive is required to play DVDs. Almost all DVD players also play
VCDs.

A DVD holds significantly more data than a CD (including a VCD). A 2
hour movie requires two VCDs. The same movie requires only one DVD.
Also, movies on DVD have a 200% sharper picture and far better sound
quality than VCDs.

DVD has gained tremendous popularity with its high-quality video and
high storage capability.

What is a SVCD?

SVCD stands for Super Video CD. SVCD is the successor to Video CD.
An SVCD contains an MPEG-2 video stream and MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 audio.
Like VCDs, SVCDs are recorded on standard recordable CD media. Most
DVD players play SVCDs.

SVCD video quality can be better than VCD. If recorded using the
highest quality, it is virtually DVD quality. Since SVCD is still
restricted to 800Mb of data, the number of SVCDs required to store a
movie is more than double the number of VCDs.

Video Broadcasting Standards

MPEG video is the compression format for digital TV. There are video
broadcasting standards, also called picture standards, which differ
from country to country.

The PAL Picture Standard

PAL (Phase Alternating Line) is the TV standard introduced in the
early 1960’s in Europe. PAL is used in most of the western European
countries (except France, where SECAM is used), Australia, some
countries of Africa, some countries of South America and some Asian
countries.

The NTSC Picture Standard

NTSC (National Television Standards Committee) is a color TV standard
developed in the U.S. in 1953. The United States, Canada, Japan, most
of the Western Hemisphere and various Asian countries follow NTSC
standards. The rest of the world uses either some variety of PAL or
SECAM standards.

MPEG Variations At a Glance

Disc Picture Standard Disc Type MPEG Type Dimensions Frame Rate
(FPS) Video Bit-rate
(Kbps) Audio Bit-rate
(Kbps)
VCD NTSC CD MPEG -1 320 x 240 29.97 1152 224
VCD PAL CD MPEG -1 352 x 288 25 1152 224
SVCD NTSC CD MPEG -2 480 x 480 29.97 2500 224
SVCD PAL CD MPEG -2 480 x 576 25 2500 224
DVD NTSC DVD MPEG -2 720 x 480 29.97 6000 224
DVD PAL DVD MPEG -2 720 x 576 25 6000 224
Using Digital Media Converter to make MPEG movies for VCD, SVCD and
DVD Creating VCD, SVCD or DVD involves:

Make the MPEG movie conform to the standard that the disc accepts,
taking into consideration the picture standard.
Burning (encoding) the audio and video data to the appropriate disc
format - either CD or DVD.
Step 1 : Make MPEG Movies
Authoring a DVD requires converting all video and audio sources into
MPEG-2 format. Similarly, creating a VCD requires converting video
and audio into MPEG-1 format.

To convert videos from any format (AVI, WMV etc.) to MPEG, use Digital
Media Converter. Converting many files to create a VCD or DVD, one at
a time, is a slow process. Digital Media Converter’s mass conversion
capability lets you create a list of many files or folders, then
convert them in a single operation.

To create files in the correct format for mastering a VCD, SVCD or
DVD, click on the Settings option on the toolbar. Select the required
format along with NTSC or PAL from the Convert to Format box and click
OK. To start the conversion, click the Convert toolbar button.

Step 2: CD Burning (Creating the Disc)
The next step is to burn these files onto the appropriate medium (CD
or DVD). For this, you’ll need authoring software like Nero Burning
ROM. A CD or DVD writer is required to burn CDs or DVDs.