16:9 to 4:3

[mcneph]

How to convert 16:9 DVD to 4:3 DVD? Should I first convert 16:9 to vob and then copy vob to 4:3 DVD? If so, is the final 4:3 DVD quality very bad?

[Alex_ander]

If your 16:9 DVD is true anamorphic (VOBs show 16:9 AR in GSpot) and you want to watch it full-screen on a 4:3 display you'll have to re-encode it with cutting left/right parts (using pan&scan info if available on DVD) - you'll lose some visual information but keep picture resolution (compared to making a letterboxed version). Anyway you'll have to not just copy smth. to sm.where but re-encode everything and re-author. To keep both possibilities some double sided DVDs contain both versions of the same movie e.g. Tommy (1975).

[Lester Burnham]

How to convert 16:9 DVD to 4:3 DVD?

Why would you want to?

[manono]

compared to making a letterboxed version

Yes, cropping isn't the only option. It can also be letterboxed and reencoded for 4:3. But as Lester Burnham asks, why would you want to? I can envision one scenario where you have some 16:9 footage that you want to combine with some 4:3 footage, and it all has to be one or the other. Otherwise, what's the point?