Tmpgenc! won't open svcd?!

I can open VCD MPG files just fine with it. I havn't tried SVCD MP2 files though. Are you sure its in a fully supported SVCD format, meaning it has a resolution of 480x480 and is an MPEG-2 format.

I think all video files must be in one of the following resolutions before TMPGEnc can convert it.

720x480 (DVD NTSC) - 29.97fps
720x576 (DVD PAL) - 25fps
480x480 (SVCD NTSC) - 29.97fps
480x480 (SVCD NTSCFilm) - 23.976fps
480x576 (SVCD PAL) - 25fps
352x240 (VCD NTSC) - 29.97fps
352x240 (VCD NTSCFilm) - 23.976fps
352x288 (VCD PAL) - 25fps

I may be incorrect, but I dont believe that TMPGEnc can work with any other resolutions than those listed here. If it is something weird like 320x240, 160x120, or even 640x480 then it wont work.

Here is an awesome resource if you don't know of it already.
http://www.vcdhelp.com/

More specifically, these can help you convert resolutions with Virtual Dub.
http://www.vcdhelp.com/mjpeg.htm
http://forum.vcdhelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=89899

i was recently using tmpgenc and the results are great, of the ones it is able to convert, i got about 1/2 done, the others came with errors. Trouble opening ACM or somehitng was a big problem on many.

What is the exact error?

It seems that your direct show filter is either broken or not installed. If you just need to convert on this computer you can try avisynth + mpeg2dec but it is not easy to use...

Mpeg2 direct show filters are provided with any software dvd player. Try to install (or reinstall) one and see if you can open your file with the windows media player.

I know that Power DVD includes a direct show filter but i don't know for other players (check the documentation of your player). You can also try to reinstall directx 8 or above.

In tmpegenc, you can force to use the direct show filter if you are sure that it is installed correctly. (It is in environnemenetal settings).