encoding/authoring movies in 2.44:1?

[mgt]

hello there,

I'm wondering how to create a DVD containing a WIDE movie (2.44:1 on square pixels). I have a Xvid movie with a size of 704×288, how do i have to encode it, and how do i finally have to author it? which settings have to be modified at CCE and Scenarist? do i have to add borders in avisynth?

i'm really unsure about it, so i'd be very pleased if somebody could help me :)

btw i thought this thread fits best into the Basic DVD Authoring forum … sry if i was wrong. ;)

[Matthew]

Yes one way (the best if using CCE) is to write an avs script...for resizing avis, Q62 in this thread is helpful IMO:

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21859

FitCD will also write an avs for you.

The output video stream will either be 4:3 or 16:9 (including black bars) so there are no special authoring issues to consider once you have encoded the video/audio.

[mgt]

mhhh you might have missunderstood me.

i neither need help with avisynth nor with DVD2SVCD .oO(dont use that noobish tool), and i dont use Fit2Disc either. :)

I just wanted to know how to encode and author 2.44:1 movies best …

of course i will resize it to 720×576 by using avisynth.

now my questions:
• are there any possibilities to specify another aspect ratio than 4:3 or 16:9 (authoring level)?
• what exactly do "letterboxed" and "pan-scan" mean?
• if there are indeed no other aspect ratios, how do i have to calc the height of the video then (encoding level)?

i always did it like this: 16:9 pixels are 1.422:1 and these movies are encoded to 768×576 pixels. this means the real height would be 576/1.422 = 405px.
and now? how to go on? maybe to say: my movie is 2.44:1 on square pixels, so it would be 720/2.44 = 295px. and now, resize it 576-(405-295) = 576-110 = 476px? and then add top and bottom borders of 50px each?

is that the way to calc it? and is that even the way to create such a DVD?

hope you can help me ;)

[Groasnicu']

You can find about "• what exactly do "letterboxed" and "pan-scan" mean?" in www.doom9.org -> The Basics -> Aspect ratios explained.

"• are there any possibilities to specify another aspect ratio than 4:3 or 16:9 (authoring level)?" No! (I think)

You can try this in your avs file
---------------------------------------
LoadPlugin("C:\......\mpeg2dec3.dll")
AviSource("C:\.......\YourMovie.avi")
BicubicResize(720,418,0,0.5)
AddBorders(0,78,0,80)
ConvertToYV12()
---------------------------------------
Expl.
704 x 288 --> 720 x ~294=(288*720/704)
16/9 --> 720 x 405 but the size in DVD is streched at 720 x576 -->
--> ~294 go in (~294*576/405)=418.9
You must pick the must apropiate even number (in our case is 418)-->
You must add black borders (576-418)=158 --> 158/2=79, but the black border must be un even number so... > 78 and 80 ( or 0 and 158 to have one big black border down to put the subtitle here) or... whatever you want

[Matthew]

Umm, I don't use DVD2SVCD either (I wrote my own avi->DVDR tool), that doesn't change the fact that gerti67 provides a good explanation of the calculations required - whatever you are using.

Originally posted by mgt
how do i have to calc the height of the video then (encoding level)?

The afforementioned Q62 provides the formulas you are requesting. All you need to do is replace the 480 with 720 because your destination is DVD not SVCD. FitCD will also produce similar results, if you decide you want to try something new ;)

What was that about me misunderstanding you? :p

[mgt]

@Groasnicu'
thanks, that's what i needed ;)
though i never have to load any plugins (avisynth loads them itself) and always use LanczosResize :cool:

@Matthew
I have read that thread about DVD2SVCD, and i didn't really help me. (otherwise i wouldn't have asked again, would i?)
And yes i know FitCD and Fit2Disc, i gave it a try and i didn't find it really useful…

thanks for your help anyway :cool:

[Matthew]

"2) For PAL TV sets:

Calculated height = ((720 / Pixels_X) x Pixels_Y) / (54 / 59)
e.g. ((720 / 640) x 272) / (54 / 59) = 334,33"

(720/704 x 288)/(54/59)=322

"If you want to make a anamorphic SVCD instead of a letterboxed SVCD then you have to correct your calculated height with the factor of (4 / 3) = 1.33"

(720/704 x 288)/(54/59)*4/3=428

So 322 for 4:3 letterbox and 428 for 16:9 enhanced are the correct heights. FitCd -is- helpful (although personally I don't use it), it provides the correct resize statements for avis (although the numbers can vary a little according to the preferences).

4:3
----
# -= AviSynth script by FitCD v1.1.2 =-
#LoadPlugin("D:\PathOf\AnyPlugin.dll")
AviSource("H:\test\fullsample.avi")
BicubicResize(720,323,0,0.6,1,0,702,288)
AddBorders(0,128,0,125)
AssumeFPS(25.000, true)
#Trim(0,8545).FadeOut(150)

16:9
----
# -= AviSynth script by FitCD v1.1.2 =-
#LoadPlugin("D:\PathOf\AnyPlugin.dll")
AviSource("H:\test\fullsample.avi")
BicubicResize(720,430,0,0.6,0,0,703,288)
AddBorders(0,72,0,74)
AssumeFPS(25.000, true)
#Trim(0,8545).FadeOut(150)

[mgt]

I've said that i've solved the problem, haven't i? :)

First thing, i use DirectShowSource for Xvid of course, the fps IS 25 so no conversion is needed.

I use LanczosResize for it and i don't have to crop anything as the video resolution is already the actual aspect ratio.

And i calculated a height of 420px … i'm going to author the dvd and i'll see if the aspect ratio is correct :cool:

my avs script is:
cd1 = DirectShowSource("path",fps=25).LanczosResize(720,420).AddBorders(0,78,0,78)
cd2 = DirectShowSource("path",fps=25).LanczosResize(720,420).AddBorders(0,78,0,78)
return cd1 ++ cd2

works fine :)

[Matthew]

heh, I was demonstrating the correct way of calculating the height (before rounding/division considerations anyway), but no matter, if you want to wilfully miscalculate it go right ahead :p

Originally posted by mgt
I use LanczosResize for it and i don't have to crop anything as the video resolution is already the actual aspect ratio.

Dunno if you are referring to the fitcd avs but the reason for cropping is to retain the aspect ratio as best possible - it is thrown out of whack due to issues with rounding (e.g. you can't resize to 430.98595969) and division (having the resize figures divisible by by 16, etc). For those who are ultra-concerned with aspect ratio, fitcd is great.

As aside, it's highly likely that when creating the XviD, the original source was cropped in order to avoid bad AR (e.g. the original source could well have been closer to 2.40:1). [Grab any properly done divx/xvid you like and you'll notice how the vertical and horizontal resolution are both divisible by 16.]