4x3 playback problem with MPEG-2 files for DVD

[AudioVideoMaster]

I've got a bit of a problem that has just been nagging the heck out of me. So here goes.

I always convert my original 720x480 DV footage to 720x480 MPEG-2 with CCE using the 4x3 aspect ratio option. The problem is that when I go to play back my MPEG-2 video with WinDVD 4 the picture frame always looks squashed vertically. In that, the peoples heads always look like egg-heads, for example. I've tried using the 1x1 aspect option in CCE but I still get the frame distortion. However, when I play back the same 720x480 4x3 MPEG-2 footage file with Windows Media Player the frame looks normal.
I've also compiled the same footage in DVDMaestro to VOB's but the frame still looks squashed when played back in WinDVD.

I'd rather not use WMP for playback. The footage will eventually end up on a DVD-R disk and played back with WinDVD.

Can anyone shed some light on why my footage looks squashed?

[AudioVideoMaster]

Anybody?

Or do I need to post some examples?

[GM006]

DV footage is always interlaced... unless you're very rich and have a cam that shoots progressive. THerefore, your CCE settings have to set to alternate scan or uncheck zigzag scanning order... this might fix your problem...

[SomeJoe]

720x480 is only a 4:3 ratio when viewed on the TV, because TV pixels are not square.

When 720x480 is viewed natively on the computer where the pixels are square, the footage will look squashed.

Most playback software (especially DVD playback software) knows this, and will resize it on the computer screen on the fly to a proper 4:3 aspect ratio. WinDVD should do this for you.

If it's not, I would check your WinDVD settings or perhaps reinstall WinDVD.

[AudioVideoMaster]

Originally posted by SomeJoe

Most playback software (especially DVD playback software) knows this, and will resize it on the computer screen on the fly to a proper 4:3 aspect ratio. WinDVD should do this for you.

If it's not, I would check your WinDVD settings or perhaps reinstall WinDVD.

WinDVD doesn't have any settings to change from square to rectangle pixels because I've looked and looked. But I will try reinstalling it.


@GM006 : I always have "zigzag scanning order" unchecked but what are you refering to when you say "alternate scan"??