Program to convert resolution?

[jonhargett]

I was recording tv shows using the "Best" video setting of SnapStream. I recently found out that on that setting, the resolution of the video was 640x480. Now if I try to open the files using a DVD authoring program, it tells me that the resolution is not supported and that it must be 720x480 to be written to a DVD. The two authoring programs I have tried are Ulead DVD MovieFactory SE and TMPGEnc DVD Author. I would really like to archive these, so does anybody have a suggestion on how I can resize the video but keep it in MPEG format so I can burn it to DVD?

[Rich A]

Yes DVD proper mpeg is 720x480 or 352x480. When you choose your quality in the future be sure to choose one of the profiles that say it's for DVD. There are other things intrinsic to the DVD profile that have to be done properly during the encoding.

I use Snapstream and the PVR-250 with a slightly modified DVD profile and it creates great DVDs.

Also it depends what you are using for encoding. The Hauppauge PVRs have fully compliant DVD profiles. Others may not. If your Snapstream quality list doesn't have a specifically labeled for DVD mpeg profile then the best you can do is find an mpeg-2 profile that at least has 720x480 and 48 khz sound and no more than 9 Mb/s Video bit rate. After that you'll have to re-encode the mpeg to get it DVD proper.

You will have to do a full re-encode of that 640x480 mpeg. It should be as per the parameters I stated above. When you re-encode you should use an encoder that has an actual DVD profile for you to use. Then all the parmeters will be automatically set for you. TMPGenc will do that.

A couple things to consider however. First since you will be re-encoding an mpeg from a small screen to a larger screen, you will most likely have some degredation of the quality. The encoder is going to have to "stretch" and resize the mpeg. That almost always means a downgrading of quality. Also be prepared to spend some time doing it. Re-encoding a one hour show for example could take hours. (I can do a one hour show in about 1.5 hours) But I've got a 3.2 Gighertz, highly optimized for video editing PC. TMPGenc (the mpeg-2 encoder) is slow but a good one. Typically you can end up taking 6 or more hours to re-encode. HTH,

Rich

[jonhargett]

Thanks for the reply.
I have a downloaded version of TMPGEnc that says MPEG-2 support is enabled for 30 days. When I try to open any MPEG file as the source (not just the ones with the wrong resolution), it tells me that it can't open the file or it is unsupported. Any ideas?

[Rich A]

Originally posted by jonhargett
Thanks for the reply.
I have a downloaded version of TMPGEnc that says MPEG-2 support is enabled for 30 days. When I try to open any MPEG file as the source (not just the ones with the wrong resolution), it tells me that it can't open the file or it is unsupported. Any ideas?

Yes I've heard of that problem. I don't use TMPGenc myself. I believe they have a support forum where you might inquire about that. As I recall there was something you had to set ... I'm at work now and don't have my notes in front of me. But if you have "that" specific problem it's easy to fix. Geeshh, I'm wracking my brain trying to remember, but must be getting old and forgetful.

Theres an option window in TMPGenc where you can put the priority of various codecs (or something) and you have to move the TMPGenc version to the top. Sorry to be so vague. It's something like TMP has all the codecs listed there. And the top one is most likely hooked to Windows Media player, which doesn't support mpeg-2. Like you have mpg files ascociated with WMP. So when you try to load an mpg into TMPGenc it automatically tries to use WMP filters. TMPGenc has it's own for mpeg files but it's listed last. So you just move it up to the top so that TMPGenc goes to it's own codec (or what-ever) before it tries any others.

When I get home tonight I'll check my notes and re-post here if you haven't found it by then.

[RobertH]

go over to the general forum and open up the sticky at the top that says "DVD Authoring Guide" and follow the instructions in the guide on how to install and setup the mpeg2 vfapi plugin, this will allow you to read the snapstream mpegs, tmpgenc doesnt come with a usefull mpeg decoder and will often use the "best" one on the system wich will often be from a dvd program and many of these dont work for programs like tmpgenc

[jonhargett]

Thanks guys, that got it working.