BCD MPEG Encoding Information

Tape Formats
We offer encoding from BetaCam, SVHS, 8mm/Hi8, and 3/4" Umatic. For MPEG-1 we currently use an Optibase MPEG Lab Suite 5000 encoder with digital prefiltering. The MPEG-2 system is the Zapex ZP-300 which is also included in our complete DVD mastering systems.

Tape Preparation
Your pre-planning is essential to a good job done properly and quickly the first time.

Time Code, Please!
We can accept tapes with or without SMPTE, but encoding of tapes no time code cost to encode because they take more time to do so we must add our hourly rate for the extra time needed to locate manually start/stop the encoding process.

Only our BetaCam and SVHS machines are equipped for time code so other formats are subject to manual encoding fees. For best results, we suggest that you dub your non-time coded tapes to BetaCam, or at least SVHS with time code.

If you MUST submit a tape with no time code, SVHS with stereo audio on both linear channels for example, please give us

• Counter numbers HH:MM:SS for IN and OUT points of each scene.
• Description of the video at the IN and Out points.
  

Even with time code, the scene may be amiguous to our operators, so please provide a verbal description of each scene along with its IN and OUT points. Here is an example:

EXAMPLE:
Segment #|    IN POINT        |     OUT POINT     |   Description
  1      |    00:03:10:00     |     00:08:15:05   |
Description/Special Instructions.
    IN POINT: Before the fade up to title "We the People.
    OUT POINT: After the flag reaches the top of flagpole.

Drop Frame is a method of compensating for the difference between 'real time/clock time' and tape time. Video only has 29.97 frames per second and this amounts to a difference of about 4 seconds per hour when comparing SMPTE time with 'clock time.' You should know what is on your tape and tell us about it. It's easier than our having to figure it out.

Video Encoding Rate
How fast should the encoder encode?

MPEG-1 The 'standard' rate for MPEG-1 is around 1.4112Mb/sec (megabits per second). For CD-i and VideoCD 2.0 this is definitely the standard. For other MPEG files, we can encode as high as 3.8Mb/sec for better quality and, of course, much larger file size. 1.5Mb/sec is typically the "standard" speed of CD-ROM drives.

Our Suggestion Use the "standard" 1.4Mb/s for general purpose and for most playback systems using software decoding. This makes files that are about 10 Megabytes per minute of video.

You can use faster encoding rates for hardware assisted playback: if you an MPEG card in your computer or your new computer has MPEG hardware playback built in. Also good for higher motion segments. This rate plays well on a 2x CD-ROM drive.

We can re-encode the same scene/file for you at multiple sampling rates for your comparison. For instance, you might get the same file at 1.50, and 2.50 to see how your players like each bit rate. The cost is 50% of the original encoding and must be ordered at the same time as the original order.

MPEG-2 MPEG-2 is much higher quality than MPEG-1. For playback, a hardware decoder is usually required, as found in a DVD player or computer cards from Sigma Designs or Quadrant International. We can encode at any rate between 3Mb/sec and 15Mb/sec. 6Mb/sec is frequently used for DVD discs.

Audio Encoding Rate
The standard is 44.1 KHz like audio CDs. You can save a little file space by encoding at a lower rate, but not much because the video takes up most of the space. Our Suggestion: Standard.

Payment
BCD Associates, Inc. accepts Visa, Mastercard, Company Check in advance, and COD. Credit terms are available to those organizations approved by our credit department. Call BCD and we'll fax you a credit application.

Shipping
We'll send it back to you the same way you sent it to us, and include the charges on the bill. The best way is for you to include a pre-addressed waybill/airbill that we can attach to the return package.

Turnaround
It depends. If we're not too busy, we can often get it done the same day we receive it. If we're stacked up, it might take as long as 5 days. Let us know your requirements. If we have a long line of jobs and yours job is the last, we can bump you to the front of the line, but it costs double.Our Suggestion: Make an appointment for your job.

Guarantee
BCD produces MPEG files according to the ISO-1172 standard and CD-ROMs to the ISO-9660 standard. "Make Good" re-encoding will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Questions, Questions, Questions!
If you have any additional questions, please call us.
If we have any questions about your project, we'll call you. Please be certain to provide good phone numbers.