Sony DVD Player/(X)VCD Weirdness

[rbird]

I'm trying to burn an XVCD to play in my Sony DVP-C660 DVD Player. I know about the compatibility issues already, but those aren't the problem. The disc is recognized fine.

My actual problem is that the video appears "squashed" into the leftmost half of the TV screen. The right side is black. I'm not working with 16x9 video or trying to change formats, or anything. Just plain old 4x3 NTSC at 320x240 and 29.97fps, from my own capture. The sample XVCD on this site plays just fine, so I don't believe it's a hardware limitation.

Has anyone ever seen anything like this before? I'm using VirtualDub for capture and editing, Tmpgenc for conversion to XVCD format, and Nero for burning. Somewhere in there I'm sure I have a setting messed up, but I'm not sure what it could be.

Thanks to anyone who might be able to help!

Bob

[rbird]

Anyone?

[JHebert]

What were your settings in TMPGEnc? Did you use the standard NTSC VCD template? Usually the standard template should work correctly. You said this is an XVCD, did you change the template or use your own settings?
It sounds like the display aspect ratio (Settings > Video tab) or the source aspect ratio (Settings > Advanced tab) may be incorrect. For VCD the display aspect ratio must be "4:3 525 line NTSC". In the source aspect ratio try "1:1 VGA" since your capture is 320x240 instead of VCD standard 352x240. If that doesn't work try "4:3 display" or "4:3 525 line NTSC".
Also check the video arrange method (Settings > Advanced tab) and set to either "full screen keep aspect ratio" or "full screen".

[nvost361]

I also have a sony and the EXACT same thing happens to me when I try burning XVCD's with my own settings. What works best for me is to use TMPGEnc to convert to standard vcd format.

[rbird]

Thanks for the replies, guys. My efforts tonight will be to try the standard templates. If that works, I'll use the unlock.mcf and start tweaking until I get to where I want to be. nvost361, if I find out what the offending setting is, I'll be sure to post back here.

Bob

[rbird]

Update: Looks like the resolution is the problem. The DVD Player only likes 352x240, not 320x240. A "standards compliant" VCD worked with no problem. I'll have to see if I can get my laptop to capture at that resolution (USB capture device). For some reason, my desktop machine will, but the laptop won't. Unfortunately the laptop is the one that's portable and can be moved to my source! If I can't get it to work, I'll have to resize from 320x240.

Thanks for the help,

Bob

[tnuro]

Yeah, the Sony725 is similar. It will do

352x288
352x240
704x576
704x480
720x576
720x480

...which is standard stuff. 320x240 is just a pc format/aspect so don't get too upset with your machine. (Its the sane one, not your pc !