[MPlayer-users] How to encode MPEG-2 at a fixed rate with mencoder?

[Levente Novák]

I would like to encode with mencoder using the FFmpeg mpeg2video codec, 
with a bitrate of 2500 kbit/s (SVCD spec). When vbitrate=2500 is fed to 
lavcodec, part of the movie has always a much higher rate (about 5000 
kbps) which is much too high.
I tried several combinations of the lavcodec rate options, but without 
success so far. The best was to specify a significantly lower rate to 
have (most of) the stream peak at 2500 kbit/s.
Is this issue solvable, or should I ask for help on the FFmpeg mailing list?

Levente

PS: I know of mpeg2enc, but would like to avoid it, it produces awk 
results on my Hi8-captured videos.