Aspect Ratio

stephen22 · 13th February 2023, 13:32

Bit baffled here.

Recorded a TV programme on a Panasonic video recorder. Copied it on to a DVD+R (+R doesn't seem to record aspect ratio)

Extracted video with makemkv.

Edited in avidemux, saved in Copy mode as mp4, configured to 16:9.

Edited copy -
- plays in VLC with aspect ratio 16:9
- plays in all other players (WMP, Microsoft Photos, HP Films&TV) in 4:3
- Avidemux info says PAL 4:3 (16:15)

Seems I'll have to do it all again with a DVD-R. But I'd love an explanation if anyone has one.

filler56789 · 13th February 2023, 21:49

It seems only VLC respects the aspect-ratio flag in the MP4 container...

So you'd better use something like ReStream for setting the right aspect ratio in the video stream itself,
then you can copy the program into an MP4 file. :-|

stephen22 · 16th February 2023, 16:01

Thanks, but I don't want to stream, I just want to persuade the world at large that this video is 16:9.

butterw2 · 16th February 2023, 17:17

Setting mp4 container level DAR works perfectly with most software players (but may be disregarded by WMP, video editors, etc.).

Re-encoding to square pixels on the other hand always works.

filler56789 · 17th February 2023, 02:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephen22

Thanks, but I don't want to stream, I just want to persuade the world at large that this video is 16:9.

So you think that an MPEG-2 metadata editor called ReStream has the purpose of making a video file streamable?

Think again.

stephen22 · 20th February 2023, 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by filler56789

Think again.

Too much like hard work.

(I just Googled Restream)

SnakEye · 31st March 2023, 14:03

I think it is because you did not convert your movie to Square Pixel (PAR: 1x1)

Add this Filter and it will probably solve your issue

The other alternative is to edit the MP4 settings before you export it (my example of 2048 is of a source of 720x576 with PAR: 16x15 4:3 when i upscaled to 1080p)

stephen22 · 1st April 2023, 17:22

Thanks for all the work you've done. I was wondering how to do it without using filters or otherwise re-encoding the video.

For me one of the joys of simple editing in avidemux is that by just copying it can be quick and lossless. Presumably there's some kind of flag in the video header which tells the player how much to stretch the pixels e.g. in a widescreen display, and usually this works pretty well. On this occasion I have asked avidemux to set the display to 16:9, but all the players except vlc are ignoring it. I just wondered what the reason was and if I could do anything about it.

SeeMoreDigital · 3rd April 2023, 09:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephen22

I was wondering how to do it without using filters or otherwise re-encoding the video.

As mentioned by @filler5678, you could have used ReStream to alter the aspect ratio flagging of your elementary video MPEG-2.

Indeed, ReStream offers a lot of useful features: -

It's a shame there's nothing similar for AVC and HEVC encoded video streams...

stephen22 · 10th April 2023, 17:21

Thanks very helpful, works nicely.

Quite hard to find - another more recent commercial programme shares the same name and occupies the first 100 items in a google search. (Useful information when recommending a programme!)

I'm sure I shall find it useful in the future.

13th February 2023, 13:32	#1 \| Link
stephen22 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 86	Aspect Ratio Bit baffled here. Recorded a TV programme on a Panasonic video recorder. Copied it on to a DVD+R (+R doesn't seem to record aspect ratio) Extracted video with makemkv. Edited in avidemux, saved in Copy mode as mp4, configured to 16:9. Edited copy - - plays in VLC with aspect ratio 16:9 - plays in all other players (WMP, Microsoft Photos, HP Films&TV) in 4:3 - Avidemux info says PAL 4:3 (16:15) Seems I'll have to do it all again with a DVD-R. But I'd love an explanation if anyone has one.

13th February 2023, 21:49	#2 \| Link
filler56789 SuperVirus Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Antarctic Japan Posts: 1,347	It seems only VLC respects the aspect-ratio flag in the MP4 container... So you'd better use something like ReStream for setting the right aspect ratio in the video stream itself, then you can copy the program into an MP4 file. :-\| __________________ «Your software patents have expired.»

16th February 2023, 17:17	#4 \| Link
butterw2 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2020 Posts: 269	Setting mp4 container level DAR works perfectly with most software players (but may be disregarded by WMP, video editors, etc.). Re-encoding to square pixels on the other hand always works. __________________ bShaders: realtime Effects/filters for video players

31st March 2023, 14:03	#7 \| Link
SnakEye Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 27	I think it is because you did not convert your movie to Square Pixel (PAR: 1x1) Add this Filter and it will probably solve your issue The other alternative is to edit the MP4 settings before you export it (my example of 2048 is of a source of 720x576 with PAR: 16x15 4:3 when i upscaled to 1080p) Last edited by SnakEye; 31st March 2023 at 14:22.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

16th February 2023, 16:01	#3 \| Link
stephen22 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 86	Thanks, but I don't want to stream, I just want to persuade the world at large that this video is 16:9.

1st April 2023, 17:22	#8 \| Link
stephen22 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 86	Thanks for all the work you've done. I was wondering how to do it without using filters or otherwise re-encoding the video. For me one of the joys of simple editing in avidemux is that by just copying it can be quick and lossless. Presumably there's some kind of flag in the video header which tells the player how much to stretch the pixels e.g. in a widescreen display, and usually this works pretty well. On this occasion I have asked avidemux to set the display to 16:9, but all the players except vlc are ignoring it. I just wondered what the reason was and if I could do anything about it.

10th April 2023, 17:21	#10 \| Link
stephen22 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 86	Thanks very helpful, works nicely. Quite hard to find - another more recent commercial programme shares the same name and occupies the first 100 items in a google search. (Useful information when recommending a programme!) I'm sure I shall find it useful in the future.