grey areas on top and bottom of ws dvd or vob file not on avi

[bobb52]

Hi,
I need help fixing this, when I convert a .avi file to dvd file using winavi, and then burn that to a blank dvd, the screen on top and bottom is grey, with a little black right on top and bottom of picture.
it seems to do this mainly with avi's that are pal format 25 fps. the resolutions vary but most are 16.9 I think
some avi's [very few] turn out with just black at top and bottom, like it should be .
I took the same avi that had the grey when converted with winavi, and converted it with cucusoft [avi to dvd] using pal format
and 25 fps and pal 4:3 625 line setting and it came out with no grey, just black.[ this was bigger picture anamorphic I think] the only problem is cucusoft wont convert joined files properly, it stops at the join mark , and it makes a 1 vob dvd. the vob was 3.96 gb in size, and no chapters. cucusoft is the only program I know of that has alot of settings for the output dvd file
winavi makes .99gb vob files like a normal dvd so I would like to use it.
I tried setting winavi to burn the pal avi's to pal format and the 16.9 setting but it still came out with the greys.
the only setting is to choose pal, I couldnt select a framerate or the 4:3 625 line . on winavi I chose 4:3 and it came out fullscreen square picture
if I view the avi, file on my computer it is black on top and bottom
if I view the converted vob file on my computer with zoom player it is total grey on top and bottom, and on videeolan player I cant see any grey .
and I guess my dvd player puts the little bit of black in above and below the picture when burned to a dvd.
this is really irritating and makes it unwatchable for me.
after reading some of the posts here I will add , my dvd player will play ntsc or pal dvd, and the picture itself is good just the grey on top and bottom.
if anyone know why this happens or a program I should use please help

[redwudz]

WinAVI can be a bit flaky at times, that's one reason many here don't recommend it. I find the best program for those type of conversions is ConvertXToDVD. But you can try a couple of freeware alternatives, such as FAVC, DVD Flick, or one of the others here: https://www.videohelp.com/tools/sections/all-in-one-dvd-converters

The rest of the problem may be your source video. Unless you created it yourself, there's no telling what has been done to it.

[bobb52]

ok thanks, I will try FAVC AND Any Video Converter Free Version.
I have dvd flick but cant remember how it fared with these pal avi's
I will post again with results in week or so

[guns1inger]

DVD Flick has no problems with PAL material.

You might also look at AVStoDVD

Having just re-read your post however, I suspect you are barking up the wrong tree.

If I read your post correctly, conversion of 16:9 material to letterbox 4:3 produces a widescreen letterbox image with black bars above and below the screen. Conversion of 16:9 avis to 16:9 widescreen DVD creates a video that plays back with gray bars top and bottom. Is this correct ?

If so, conversion isn't your problem. 16:9 widescreen video does not have black bars in the video file unless it is wider than 16:9. When 16:9 material is played back on a 4:3 TV, the bars are added at playback by the player. When you convert a 16:9 video to letterbox 4:3, the encoder does add black bars, in order to maintain the correct aspect ratio. When you play these files back, you see black bars. This would indicate that your problems are with your playback equipment, not with the converter (not that I am one to stick up for WinAVI - personally I think it is a POS - but blame where it's due, it may not be WinAVI's fault this time). Even when you convert material that is slightly wider than 16:9, you get small black bars above and below, then you get gray. The black comes from the encoding, the gray comes from your player or TV.