AR issues with hdtv recording

[gumballguy]

Hi

Im rather confused by something. Ive tried every combination of options that seemed reasonable, and my output AR still looks different to my source.

In short, I have a 576i digital tv capture. Ive demuxed it using projectx, and now have a 720x576 mpeg for my efforts. Now, the actual broadcast ratio seems to be beamed out as 16:9, but there is of course the black side-letterboxing that usually indicates a 4:3 image.
The issue is, no matter what I do, I cant make the encoding look like the original in terms of aspect ratio. Since its a pc recording I tried using a PAR of 1:1 (gives AR of 1.25) and thats not right. I flicked it to PAR of 16:9 (output is AR 1.333) and thats not right. Ive tried not cropping anything off (as well as cropping all the black edges off.
Even a PAR of 1:1 with no cropping produced an output that looked different to the source. Clearly, I must not understand this fully. I thought all hdtv captures were PAR 1:1?

I am using GK to process this. Its the first time Ive dealt with a hdtv recording that has bundled a smaller image inside side-letterboxing.

Best way to help me is to dl a sample http://www.arach.net.au/~watto/jewel10sec.m2v and tell me how things go for you. Sample is 6mb and 10secs long.

Help via informing me on the GK options is preferred, but I will learn to use avisynth if necessary.

[eb]

I converted your sample using VDM, add FILTER resize to 640x480 and with cropping withing the same filter left 96 right 100.
Compression Xvid
See sample http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PNITX8D1 1.71 MB

eb

EDIT: the same as 16:9 , but I think that 4:3 is correct
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DM41BULP

[gumballguy]

eb, im afraid that doesnt look the same as the original. It fills the screen, but that is not what im after. I wish to maintain the AR so that the active area (the non letterbox area) in the encode is the same width/height as when playing the source in mpc.

[eb]

please present screenshot of original

[gumballguy]

http://www.arach.net.au/~watto/source.jpg

The m2v file you have, is demuxed from the original as well, so it should look like that when playing.

It is late here, I will most likely see you tomorrow :) thanks

[eb]

last sample http://www.megaupload.com/?d=FRCLIS8M

eb

EDIT: use VLC PLayer to play your original file

[gumballguy]

Again, eb, you have misunderstood the question. Perhaps I have not explained well... but I cannot explain it better than the AR of the source should be the same as the AR of the encode. This means the side-letterboxing should be the same size in both!
Please compare the source to the output before uploading.. they should have the same AR. They do not, and using VLC will not change this.
On a side note, I must use mpc, it has options that I need. Also, I like it :)

[gumballguy]

Perhaps another user could also offer input?

[gumballguy]

From more experimenting, I think I understand now.
If the HDTV is broadcast as a widescreen presentation, the PAR is 1:1
If the HDTV is broadcast as non-widescreen (side letterboxing), the PAR is 16:9

Can anyone confirm this? Especially if you are Australian!