4:3 encoded as 16:9 Aspect ratio

[svcdprayer]

Is it possible to encode 4:3 format in 16:9 using dvd2svcd? or if not dvd2svcd any other software solution for that issue ?

[hoozdapimp]

Straight from the FAQ:
Q57: Can you explain my aspect options for encoding an anamorphic DVD in more detail?
A: I will let Nick explain it since he did it so well. The following assumes a PAL encode, but most also applies to a NTSC encode as well. Remember this is assuming 16:9 source material.

When we convert DVD to SVCD we have three options with the new build (Ignore the "Resize to " option in the Frameserver tab, we're talking conversion tab here).

Option 1: 16:9, borders added, encode as 4:3. This is exactly like the 16:9 tab in previous builds. What this does is make a disc which gives a 4:3 output by squashing the picture into the middle third and actually putting black bars on the disc, so the actual movie is contained in the middle 432 lines of the 576 available, the rest is black. When played on a 4:3 TV the result looks the same as when your DVD player added the bars when you played the original DVD. However, on a 16:9 widescreen TV the picture has to be stretched both horizontally and vertically to fill the screen. Pretty much every widescreen TV has picture zoom modes to do this but lots of stretching = poor picture quality.

Option 2: 4:3, no borders added, encode as 4:3. This is exactly like 4:3 in previous builds. This encodes a 4:3 disc with the full 576 line vertical resolution. Because the output from this disc in 4:3 the DVD player does not know to add black lines top and bottom to output to your 4:3 TV so the egghead effect ensues. Some TV's have picture modes to add black bars but the vast majority don't. However, played on a widescreen TV, you only have to stretch horizontally to fill the screen as it is already at full vertical resolution. Less stretching = better picture quality so if you will be watching on a widescreen TV this option is a winner.

Option 3: Anamorphic, no borders added, encoded as 16:9. This is the new option on 1.0.8b1. What this does is encode at full vertical resolution but put a marker on the disc just like the original DVD to tell your player that it is 16:9. Therefore if you set up your DVD player saying you have a widescreen TV, the DVD player outputs at full vertical resolution but if you set it for a 4:3 TV the player does the squashing up and adding of black bars. So you get the best of both worlds - perfect playback on either TV type.

The only problem is that it appears most standalone DVD players are incompatible with this new option and picture distortion, failure to add the borders or shaking results. Either which way, there is no need to resort to uninstalling this build and reinstalling an earlier version. If the 16:9 anamorphic option doesn't work for you simply don't use it! The other two options are exactly as per previous builds

[svcdprayer]

to hoozdapimp:

Again,faq dont answer on what i need, but it answered on what i already knew :)

I have material captured 4:3 encoded as 4:3 no borders added , and from there i would like to make DVD picture so it would look like 16:9 encoded as 4:3 borders added.

Question: how to do that? Any software solution ?

[RB]

Without ruining the aspect ratio, you can only letterbox the clip (there is an AVIsynth Letterbox() command). But why would you want to do this?

[svcdprayer]

To RB: I just want to see the difference, since its captured from DV.

can u gemme an example with avisynth to do with that command ?

Its exactly what i need.

Thnx!

[RB]

Install my AutoFitCD plugin for DVD2SVCD, see sig (read the readme). Start DVD2SVCD and on the frame server tab, make sure "AutoFitCD Detect Borders" is selected. Load your source and select Go - Preview Video. Click the AutoFitCD>> button and then click "Edit AVISynth Script". Add a letterbox command at the bottom of the script, like

LetterBox(72,72)

to cover 72 lines with black on top and bottom. Click the Test button, play with the values.

[svcdprayer]

Thnx alot! I will check that. Btw i sent u private msg.

Thnx once again, if ill have more questions ill let u know.