Preferences: Encode square pixels or mux. in MKV with DAR flag specified?

[chipzoller]

Not sure if this topic best fits this forum, so moderators please move as you see fit.
I'm just hoping to get some people's personal preferences with their reasons as to encoding AVC-in-MKV DVD content for playback exclusively on computer devices (or otherwise progressive display devices). What do you prefer to do, resize to square pixels before encoding or set the proper DAR flags when muxing in MKV? What are the advantages and disadvantages to these strategies?
I have, for a while now, been very attentive to the resizing process in assuring I'm cropping and resizing to attain the correct aspect ratio before encoding, and it has worked well, but since virtually all my content is for PC archival and playback, I wonder if I'd be able to skip this step and set the appropriate flags when muxing.
Thanks for any and all comments.

[Blue_MiSfit]

It's a pain in the ass (sometimes) to depend on your player to handle the resizing.

But I usually encode anamorphic anyway.. it's better than losing pixels :)

~MiSfit

[chipzoller]

Can you explain your preference? It seems that all the major players (mpc, vlc, mplayer) I've tried obey the dar set when the streams are muxed in MKV without a problem.

[PuzZLeR]

Hello Chipzoller,

You may be interested in a thread I started a short while ago:

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=125490

I've been stumped on this anamorphic or square pixel issue for a while now - Do I keep the original, more natural, DvD rez or just go with the safe common denominator of square pixels? Not all decoders/devices support a PAR that isn't 1:1, so it's always "safe" to stay with square pixels. But losing the orginal rez would suck in many cases.

My conclusion, if it helps?

IMHO, for content that is "tiny stuff" such as music videos, commercials, newsbits, highlights, etc, or other bits from television, etc., I go with square pixels. These clips are meant to be files, and for PC playback in an "iTunes kind of way" and would be too awkward to author to disc anyway.

Full production stuff, like movies with action or cool effects, or certain sports events, or Tv series with a more action feel, I go with anamorphic. This stuff is visual-based, and is stuff I want for video playback on BD/HD-DvD later, and keeping the rez will be easier to migrate later to these formats.

As far as sitcoms, comedians, speeches, etc, I go square pixels. No need for the extra detail or effects. I save the bitrate.

Anything that is not that important, but still wish to keep - square pixels.

For very important/valuable stuff to archive - usually stick with the original MPEG-2 source, or go anamorphic higher bitrate AVC.

Hope it helps. Everybody's different though.