352x240 mpg1 to Dvix 6 output looks widescreen

[unknownsoldierX]

I have been trying to convert some streams from mpg to Divx6. The source files are at 352x240 and they fill the whole screen. VirtualDub and WinAVI Video Converter both output files that are 352x240 but when played fullscreen they look widescreen.

[stephanV]

Thats because you lose the AR flag. You can either resize to correct proportions (320x240) or set the correct AR flag afterwards with MPEg4modifier (you do need to enable overlay mixer in your decoder for that. (in divx "Advanced hardware overlay")

[unknownsoldierX]

So the mpg file had an AR flag, and when I encoded it to Divx VirtualDub did not set an AR flag in the AVI?

In WinAVI Video Converter, I can set it to resize the output resolution. By default if is set to keep the original size. If I were to manually set the output to 352x240 could this fix the issue (add an AR flag?)

[SeeMoreDigital]

So the mpg file had an AR flag, and when I encoded it to Divx VirtualDub did not set an AR flag in the AVI?Unfortunately, unlike some other MPEG-4 codecs, DivX don't offer the ability to add AR signalling to the MPEG-4 bit-stream during the encoding process, which is why you'll have to use another tool such as MPEG4 Modifier.

Thankfully, (as stephanV already mentioned) DivX has added AR signalling detection to their direct-show decoder filter, so your encodes will appear at the correct shape during playback!


Cheers

[unknownsoldierX]

OK. I loaded an AVI into MPEG4 Modifier and it says Pixel AR: square pixels. Display AR is blank. What setting do I change?

"DivX has added AR signalling detection to their direct-show decoder filter." Does this mean I don't need to enable "overlay mixer?" Will others have to do anyhting special to view the file?

Also, under user data it lists "DivX503b1571p". I'm assuming this tool was last updated before Divx6 (?)

[stephanV]

OK. I loaded an AVI into MPEG4 Modifier and it says Pixel AR: square pixels. Display AR is blank. What setting do I change?
In your case you select PAR 4:3 NTSC and save.

"DivX has added AR signalling detection to their direct-show decoder filter." Does this mean I don't need to enable "overlay mixer?" Will others have to do anyhting special to view the file?
You need to activate advanced hardware overlay in the DivX decoder settings to make use of this option, otherwise it wont use the correct renderer and the AR flag is ignored. In other decoders (e.g. ffdshow) this option is usually refered to as overlay mixer. If you use MPC, make sure you enable overlay mixer there as well if it doesnt work. Non-directshow players like VLC will detect the AR flag automatically.

Also, under user data it lists "DivX503b1571p". I'm assuming this tool was last updated before Divx6 (?)
This is the correct user data for DivX6. Don't be put of by the 503. :)

[unknownsoldierX]

What is it with DivX? Couldn't they add support for this issue during encoding? After all, lately they are all about trying to make it an easy codec for average users to use, are they not? So, an average Joe drops a MPEG-1 video clip in DivX Converter and has no idea why it comes out looking screwed up.

Does this issue apply to XviD, too?

[stephanV]

XviD allows you to set PAR settings before encoding.

[SeeMoreDigital]

XviD allows you to set PAR settings before encoding.Indeed.... So does Nero's Recode2....

However Recode2 muxes its output to the .MP4 container not the .AVI container, which if you're a newbie to MPEG-4 encoding, might confuse you even more!


Cheers

[unknownsoldierX]

The Advanced Hardware Overlay option isn't in the decoder options. Not on my system anyway. The video plays fine now, though. Thanks, guys!

[SeeMoreDigital]

The Advanced Hardware Overlay option isn't in the decoder options. Not on my system anyway. The video plays fine now, though. Thanks, guys!When you find it, it should look something like this: -

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/6408/divxfusionautoar7pd.gif


Cheers