Using MEncoder to create VCD/SVCD/DVD-compliant files:

This section shows some complete commands for creating VCD/SVCD/DVD compliant videos.

1. PAL DVD

mencoder -oac lavc -ovc lavc -of mpeg -mpegopts format=dvd:tsaf \
 -vf scale=720:576,harddup -srate 48000 -af lavcresample=48000 \
 -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg2video:vrc_buf_size=1835:vrc_maxrate=9800:vbitrate=5000:\
keyint=15:vstrict=0:acodec=ac3:abitrate=192:aspect=16/9 -ofps 25 \
 -o movie.mpg movie.avi

2. NTSC DVD

mencoder -oac lavc -ovc lavc -of mpeg -mpegopts format=dvd:tsaf \
 -vf scale=720:480,harddup -srate 48000 -af lavcresample=48000 \
 -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg2video:vrc_buf_size=1835:vrc_maxrate=9800:vbitrate=5000:\
keyint=18:vstrict=0:acodec=ac3:abitrate=192:aspect=16/9 -ofps 30000/1001 \
 -o movie.mpg movie.avi

3. PAL AVI Containing AC-3 Audio to DVD

If the source already has AC-3 audio, use -oac copy instead of re-encoding it.

mencoder -oac copy -ovc lavc -of mpeg -mpegopts format=dvd:tsaf \
 -vf scale=720:576,harddup -ofps 25 \
 -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg2video:vrc_buf_size=1835:vrc_maxrate=9800:vbitrate=5000:\
keyint=15:vstrict=0:aspect=16/9 -o movie.mpg movie.avi

4. NTSC AVI Containing AC-3 Audio to DVD

If the source already has AC-3 audio, and is NTSC @ 24000/1001 fps:

mencoder -oac copy -ovc lavc -of mpeg -mpegopts format=dvd:tsaf:telecine \
 -vf scale=720:480,harddup -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg2video:vrc_buf_size=1835:\
 vrc_maxrate=9800:vbitrate=5000:keyint=15:vstrict=0:aspect=16/9 -ofps 24000/1001 \
 -o movie.mpg movie.avi

5. PAL SVCD

mencoder -oac lavc -ovc lavc -of mpeg -mpegopts format=xsvcd -vf \
   scale=480:576,harddup -srate 44100 -af lavcresample=44100 -lavcopts \
   vcodec=mpeg2video:mbd=2:keyint=15:vrc_buf_size=917:vrc_minrate=600:\
vbitrate=2500:vrc_maxrate=2500:acodec=mp2:abitrate=224 -ofps 25 \
   -o movie.mpg movie.avi
 

6. NTSC SVCD

mencoder -oac lavc -ovc lavc -of mpeg -mpegopts format=xsvcd  -vf \
   scale=480:480,harddup -srate 44100 -af lavcresample=44100 -lavcopts \
   vcodec=mpeg2video:mbd=2:keyint=18:vrc_buf_size=917:vrc_minrate=600:\
vbitrate=2500:vrc_maxrate=2500:acodec=mp2:abitrate=224 -ofps 30000/1001 \
   -o movie.mpg movie.avi

7. PAL VCD

mencoder -oac lavc -ovc lavc -of mpeg -mpegopts format=xvcd -vf \
   scale=352:288,harddup -srate 44100 -af lavcresample=44100 -lavcopts \
   vcodec=mpeg1video:keyint=15:vrc_buf_size=327:vrc_minrate=1152:\
vbitrate=1152:vrc_maxrate=1152:acodec=mp2:abitrate=224 -ofps 25 \
   -o movie.mpg movie.avi

8. NTSC VCD

mencoder -oac lavc -ovc lavc -of mpeg -mpegopts format=xvcd -vf \
   scale=352:240,harddup -srate 44100 -af lavcresample=44100 -lavcopts \
   vcodec=mpeg1video:keyint=18:vrc_buf_size=327:vrc_minrate=1152:\
vbitrate=1152:vrc_maxrate=1152:acodec=mp2:abitrate=224 -ofps 30000/1001 \
   -o movie.mpg movie.avi