4:3 Letterbox to 16:9 Anamorphic?

[mantis2k]

Could somebody please explain how I might achieve this conversion - for both PAL and NTSC sources - using AviSynth and TMPGEnc? I don't think there's any guides already written on the subject, as I've searched the whole internet, so any help would be much appreciated!

[mantis2k]

Incidentally, the avs script for converting 4x3 LTRBX to anamorphic is:

YourFavoriteResize(720,480,1/3,1/3,0,60,720,360)

for NTSC and

YourFavoriteResize(720,576,1/3,1/3,0,72,720,432)

for PAL
Is this right? If my source has a width of 704, do I have to change any other number except the 720s?

[scharfis_brain]

the 1/3,1/3 parameters only apply for bicubicresize. all other resizers do not need them.

also this is not suited for interlaced scaling.

I wont use a simple resizer fod LB -> 16:9 anamorphic.
the combination of Blinddehalo and limitedsharpen gave me much better results.

[mantis2k]

scharfis_brain,

Please can you post your script code that uses Blinddehalo and limitedsharpen?

What if my source if phase-shifted progressive? Is your script still the best to use?

[mantis2k]

I just tried this on an interlaced source, but it caused the combing effect in the output file.

[scharfis_brain]

uhm, do you try the Film "2010" ?

[mantis2k]

No, I don't watch Hollywood films... I tried the Bicubicresize on some interlaced Kung Fu film, but it brought out the combing effect. I'm now trying this method on a progressive source, which I predict will work fine, but would still be interested in trying out your method if you would kindly post the script.

[scharfis_brain]

posting the script is unnecessary, cause the parameters aren't universally usable for any source.

I can post a simple raw script:

#for PAL only!
mpeg2source("blah.d2v")
telecide(post=0,guide=2)
crop(0,72,0,-72)
blinddehalo(rx=?, ry=?, strength=?, parameters)
limitedsharpen(dest_y=576, ss_x=3.0, ss_y=1.4, strength=?, parameters)

[mantis2k]

Thanks for posting the script, but unfortunately it's too difficult for me to detect the interlacing type and know the correct parameters to use each time. Therefore, what are the parameters for PAL progressive, or do you only use your script for Interlaced sources? Would I be better off with BicubicResize for progressive sources?

[scharfis_brain]

the script above is nly for phase shifted progressive PAL.

if you need it for real progressive, just knock out telecide.

for real interlaced content, I advise to not resize it, cause it won't look good, even with interlaced resizing. (you'll loose much detail or you have to be very patient while processing and need time to tweak a stack of parameters correctly)

[mantis2k]

I'll try out your advanced script sometime, but in the meantime I'm having a problem with the simple script, which does not appear to be accurate:

BicubicResize(720,576,1/3,1/3,0,72,720,432)

Left half = Original 4:3 Height
Right half = Anamorphic 16:9 Height

http://www.rarekungfumovies.com/new/PDVD_021.jpg

The height is coming out too small! Anyone help??

[scharfis_brain]

try


crop(0,72,0,-72)
bicubicresize(width,576)

[mantis2k]

Exactly the same problem... Is there meant to be a slight distortion? When detecting an anamorphic flag, does the video player resize the height from 756 to 404? Or does it change the width instead?
16/9 = Width/Height
16/9 = 720/Height
Height = 720/(16/9)
Height = 405*
*I think they resize the frame to the nearest even number, ie. 404
This is what I did in Photoshop before posting the screenshot, but it appears slightly distorted! How would I compare my anamorphic screenshot with the original 4:3 screenshot?

http://www.rarekungfumovies.com/new/original.jpg

http://www.rarekungfumovies.com/new/anamorphic.jpg

[scharfis_brain]

uhm, well. get in touch with PAR and DAR. read some articles regarding Aspect Ratio a