Video encoding

This game uses SFD video, which is a custom MPEG-1 video codec created by Sofdec optimized for video game consoles. The official encoder for Sofdec videos is the SEGA Dreamcast Video Creator, available in the Sega Dreamcast SDK.

Video files in Sakura Taisen 3 are located in the SFDDATA directory of each disc. They can be played directly in video players with MPEG-1 support, such as MPC-HC. VLC may fail to render audio. Their resolution is 320 x 480, half the horizontal width of 4:3, so they will appear squashed horizontally in video players.

Adding subtitles to video files using Aegisub and burning them into the video is a well-documented procedure and will not be duplicated here. For maximum video quality, it is recommended to use the video files from the PC version of Sakura Taisen 3 as a source, as those videos are in plain MPEG-1 format at 640 x 480 resolution. However, the audio sample rate will need to be converted to 22050Hz before encoding to SFD, as the SEGA Dreamcast Movie Creator is unable to perform the conversion correctly.

Requirements

• SEGA Dreamcast Movie Creator
• Video encoding and subtitle creation tools of your choice

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1. Extract the video files from Sakura Taisen 3. They are found in the SFDDATA directory in the Dreamcast version and in the MOVDATA directory in the PC version.
2. Encode new videos with subtitles burned in as AVI files, ensuring that the audio has a sample rate of 22050Hz (sample rate conversion will be necessary if using the video files from the PC version). If you have a large amount of free hard disk space, you can use a lossless video codec such as huffyuv as an intermediate codec to preserve video quality, and Linear PCM to preserve audio quality.
3. Install the SEGA Dreamcast Movie Creator. After installing, set its compatibility mode to Windows 98 / Windows Me.
4. In SEGA Dreamcast Movie Creator, open the edited video. In the Output File section, select the following options:
   • File Name: Select the SFDDATA directory in the path of your working copy of the disc files.
   • Type: Sofdec Data (.sfd)
   • Video: 2600 kbits/sec
   • 30 fps
   • 320 x 480 Pixel
   • Audio: 22050 Hz, Stereo channel

5. Click on the Special Processing... button and select the following options:
   • Crop Processing: None
   • Interlace Processing: Options: None
   • Resizing: Options: High-Quality (Interpolation)

6. Click on the Advanced Settings... button and select the following options:
   • MPEG1 Parameters:
     • Quantizer Matrix: CG/Animation
     • GOP Sequence: Custom SIZE: 12 N: 6 M: 1
     • VBV Buffer Size: Unchecked
     • Motion Compensation: Half Pel
   • Image Filter:
     • Noise Reduction: None
     • Video Filter: None
     • Color Tone Correction: Dreamcast
   • Temporary File Setting: Both options unchecked

7. Start encoding.