The MPEG1-VCD encoder create a file with the standard video data rate, so the file is too big than the audio stream file only. My main idea is how to make VCD 2.0 from CD-R with lower video data rate (non-standard) and with standard audio MPEG-1 Layer 2 and It's can play from VCD player. I don't care with the video out. I just want to hear the music from VCD with more longer play time than the standard VCD. Is it possible ?

-- decky hidayat (decky@telkomsel.co.id), February 16, 2000

Answers

I like that idea to have a MP2 Audio only VCD. I was thinking about it and at first I thought that would not work due to the 74min limit, but then I though again. What about having MP2 background sound with a still frame menu. A still frame menu is only one video frame, but you could then pack more auio because the audio data rate is only like 27K/sec. I have not tried this and you will need Video Pack to do this. Good Luck and please let me know how it works out

-- Jay (jlinkhome@yahoo.com), February 16, 2000.

Yes VP4 will do that sort of thing - if you get experienced with it you can of course change the backdrop with each piece of music and the track number can be displayed as well, anything is possible within the limitations of the program.

-- Ross McL (rmclennan@esc.net.au), February 16, 2000.

I calculated this audio rate in to minutes and I figured that if this works, you can get up to 400 min of audio.

-- Jay (jlinkhome@yahoo.com), February 17, 2000.

I believe that you can do several audio bitrates such as 224kbps, 192kbps, 128kbps. It all depends on what you want but I believe cd quality audio (the best sound possible without a noticeable difference) is 224kbps.

This method of audio on a CD is great and a better alternative to an mp3 player especially if you have a home DVD player that can read VideoCD on CD-r or a portable VCD player.

Touching apon the last guys idea about putting a frame of video for each song, you could have that frame just give a description of the song and what not. Also, if you use video pak 4, you could create a menu so you can just click on or press a button for each song.

Brilliant idea!

Another Idea I had was to make a photo only VCD with nothing but photos. I would create a VCD with multi level menus. Each menu would have a picon (picture icon, or thumbnail of a picture) and you can just press on it to go to that picture. This would be a great alternative to photoCD!!!!!!!

-- tonyv128 (mrvcd@juno.com), February 17, 2000.

I know this is off the subject a little, but you can get great results from Apex's AD-600A DVD player(sold at Circuit City). This player has built in MP3 capabilities from a CD-R or CD-RW. Note that this player is a now frills player (sort of a hacker's special.) The you could have over 10 hours of music on a disk which will play on your home hi-fi system. Just an option...

PS There's instructions on the web on how to disable the Macrovision protection (on this player ONLY) on DVD's for those interested in DVD to VCD transfer.

-- Nate W. (nwaite@ix.netcom.com), February 18, 2000.

With VP4, although We create a still image with optional audio in track 1, the file produced still too big, the data rate same as file in Mpeg track. I heard that we can make Mpeg Audio only in track 1 (VP can't do this). I think this others possibility.

-- decky (decky@telkomsel.co.id), February 24, 2000.