[MPlayer-users] Mpeg1 vs Mpeg2 encoding

[rettw at rtwnetwork.com]

> [Automatic answer: RTFM (read DOCS, FAQ), also read
> DOCS/bugreports.html]
>
> Hi,
> when using libavcodec is it better to encode to mpeg1 or
> mpeg2? (for dvds)
> The resolution would be 720x576 with 4/3 A/R  and the
> bitrate around
> 1500 kb/s.
> In my tests it seems that both are the best mpeg[12]
> encoders around as
> far as details and sharpness are concerned
> (other commercial encoders blur too much the colors) but
> occasionally
> there's some blockiness.

>
> I read in a forum that  at low bitrate mpeg1 encodes
> better than mpeg2,
> but it sounds
> like a hearsay;  I would  appreciate some enlightenment
> by someone who
> knows the matter.

I have had some experience along these lines but with
software other than ffmpeg/libavcodec...  MPEG1 is
definately well suited for low bitrate >2Mbit second
encoding, but I have used bitrates in MPEG1 as high as
8Mbit/sec.  The main issue with MPEG1 is that at high
bitrates its not as efficient as MPEG2, and there is no
support for encoding interlaced video, without
de-interlacing it first, which usually results in some
motion artifacts (stuttering picture, blurring etc).  You
might also think about cutting the resolution in half
(320x288).  My experience is that quality suffers less at
low bitrates if you drop the resolution. The drop in
resolution is not that bad, unless you intend to view it
on a big screen TV.  If you still need the resolution, I
would suggest increasing your bitrate.

BTW, I have had good luck in the past with MP1E(a real
time high rate MPEG1 encoder) from zapping.sf.net. 
Nowadays I rely on a H/W encoder for MPEG1/2 (WinTV PVR
250)

JMHO,

Rett