stretched images in avi file

[Ogilvy]

I’ve got a downloaded AVI file here and all the people look like „stick-figure“ men. Aspect ratio is 640x256 so I used VDub to bring it down to 384x288, it didn’t make much difference and obviously lost quality. G-Spot tells me video codec is XviD, decoder is ffdshow MPEG4and I’m using WMPclassic. My first question…is this always an aspect ratio problem or am I way off in the wrong area? I eventually want to burn this thing to either DVD or SVCD to view on TV, my second question, is it easier to make changes in AVI form or encode to MPEG and then make changes with TMPGEnc? Grateful for any help, as always

[VERVE]

to start with, the converted aspect u chose in vdub is also wrong if ur planning on having the vid. on dvd.

pal: 720 x 576
ntsc: 720 x 480

as for the video u downloaded, its aspect is vga based and therefore u will need to convert it. u said u converted through vdub. try converting to the correct aspect.

Personally i use Canopus Procoder to make my life easier in that matter.

cheers,
VERVE

[Ogilvy]

Thanks, Verve, got aspect ratio right this time to 720x576 and checked it with G-spot. It only gives slight improvement on normal view and when I switch to “Full Screen” figures are stretched again. I’m doing something wrong here, any other ideas?

[VERVE]

ok question:

what r u using to view your video?

In case its Windows media player, try playing it in windows media classic.(should be on ur system by default)

The reason is that windows media player is a piece of junk.

PS: of course there is a limit to how much the aspect will be corrected, since u already mentioned that the original was 640x256 which is a ridiculous ratio, as it should be 640x 480 for vga. after encoding to 720 x 576 u will get black space but at least u can burn it on dvd now.( not ur purpose I know)

conclusion: source is way to messed up. don't know if others can shed light on other issues that might help.BUT, play the encoded in windows media classic.

cheers,
VERVE

[guns1inger]

It sounds like a poorly encoded anamorphic film. The orignal encoder should have resized for 1:1 pixel aspect ratio, but hasn't.

Try mpeg4modifier and setting the aspect ratio to 16:9, then playing it back.

[ROF]

Most Warez films on the net look like this. The warez monkees are morons when it comes to encoding. The original encoder decided to take a widescreen release, remove the black bars and make a full screen video without thinking of the consequences. What is noted in such films is that the people all look like coneheads. I doubt there is anyway to fix this except to revert the film back with a loss of quality definitely being involved. Since most are warez you can simply purchase the film to get a good quality picture.

[jagabo]

Guns1inger is correct. Use MPEG4Modifier to set the correct display aspect ratio -- though 16:9 may not be correct. In TMPGEnc use "Full Screen (keep aspect ratio)".

[Ogilvy]

o.k., did as suggested, at least now it’s watchable, more or less, with a lot of margin. Next time I know to pick a better source. And by the way, I use WMP Classic. Many thanks to all concerned.

[Ogilvy]

If I want my end-product to be full-screen PAL DVD, is there a rule-of- thumb as to which ratios to avoid in the source AVI?

[Baldrick]

4:3 is full screen....so avoid anything else...