iGuide : Producing a VCD from an AVI

Requirements

VCD Player (to play the VCD on)
Nero (to Burn the VCD) (or other VCD burning software).
TMPGENC (to convert the AVI to MPEG)

This iGuide assumes you want reasonable quality VCD's, Nero is capable of drag and drop production of VCD's straight from AVI's. In my experience the resultant quality is quite poor and can take a long time on slower machines. As such an extra step using TMPGENC is introduced which improves quality and allows you to deal with more difficult situations.

Step 1 : Download and Install Nero and TMPGENC.

Step 2 : Run TMPGENC, you will see a wizard as shown below.

Step 3 : Select Video Format (Generally PAL for UK and NTSC for the US)

Step 4 : Select source file

** IMPORTANT if the audio file is empty see iGuide2 : No Audio Track on my AVI.

Step 5 : Press Next (Filter Setting Screen), Press Next Again (Bitrate Setting Screen)

** IMPORTANT if the length of the AVI is greater than the length of a VCD see iGuide3 : Splitting a long AVI across multiple VCD's

Step 6 : Press Next (Specifying Output Filename), Press OK, Select OK.

Step 7 : Go and make your favourite drink while letting TMPGENC do its stuff.

Step 8 : Load Nero. Selected New VCD. Drag your completed MPG into the VCD window and burn the VCD.

All Done in 8 simple (if slow steps).

What can go wrong (in order of likelihood).

1. No Audio on MPG (or AVI). See iGuide2 : No Audio Track on my AVI.
2. Can not fit AVI onto a single CD. iGuide3 : Splitting a long AVI across multiple VCD's
3. Nero complains about non-compliant MPG file. iGuide4 : Making VCD or SVCD compliant MPGs.
4. No Picture on the AVI .iGuide5 : AVI does not display picture aka Where the heck has my picture gone?