convert .mov to flv video - ascpect ratio messed up

[lilly333]

Hi there

I'm sorry if someone already asked this question but I've searched the forum and couldn't find anything.

I have a 1.55GB .mov which I would like to convert to a flash video in order to post it on the net. After fiddling around with the Bitrate, I found a way to get it compressed really well and still preserve some quality. So first of all: I'm very happy about that

The only problem that I'm unable to solve is the messed up aspect ratio:
the original file is 16:9. When I insert the .mov into ffmpegX it actually detects the 16:9. However, the vonverted file is ridiculously distorted, as if watching an anamorphic film in 4:3 aspect ratio. I didn't know what to do about it... so I've played around, but I can't get it right. Since it takes quite awhile to convert the file - can anybody help me as to what to set it to, in order to receive the proper aspect ratio? Otherwise I'll be converting for the rest of the day + night trying out all the options... Thanks! Your help is very much appreciated!!

[Baldrick]

Just convert it to a 16:9 resolution/pixel aspect ratio like 640x360.

[Case]

Before hitting "Encode":
In the Video tab, set EITHER the target width OR height.
Next, use the Aspect Ratio menu to have ffmpegX fill in the other dimension, by selecting "16:9" OR "16:9 (keep height)".
Note that ffmpeg likes to encode to dimensions which are multiples of 16.

[lilly333]

thanks Case & Baldrick!

this has resolved the aspect ratio issue... however a totally new problem arose (I'm unsure... should I open a new topic??)

I now have a clip with correct aspect ratio, but not only are the first seconds full of artefacts (one can barely recognize what's in the picture), but the whole thing is completely out of synch! Not like 1-2 frames, but more like 3sec out of synch Please advise... thank you!

[lilly333]

ok... I tried it again... no artefacts this time, but the out synch problem stays exactly the same... and it's huge... what am I doing I doing wrong?? or is the file size of the original file too big???

thank you for your help!

[lilly333]

help.....

[Baldrick]

PLease wait some DAYS before you bump a topic and don't start two similar topics.


Just try another converter like avidemux or the simple handbrake. And convert to mp4 as it will also work in flash. And to get a smaller file size you must lower the video bitrate (or in handbrake can you set the output file size directly under Video).

[lilly333]

thank you!! will try immediately...

(just to clarify: I don't want a smaller file size... was just wondering weather 1.5GB might be too big for ffmpegX to handle and therefore the sync problem...)

...and sorry again about my impatience

[Case]

What is your source file duration (hours : minutes : seconds) ?
What is your source file video frame size (width x height) ?
What are your source file codecs (video codec, audio codec) ?
What is your target file video frame size (width x height) ?
Does the movie (clip) perhaps start silent ?
Does the sync issue happen on other conversions to other formats as well?
Does the sync issue stay constant or does it drift?

These parameters would help decide on a course of action.

[lilly333]

the original file is mp4 which I opened with Quicktime Pro in order to shorten it a bit. Than I saved it, now it says .mov. But, wen I insert it into ffmpegX it says h264 (which is mpeg4 - no?), further it reads:

yuv 420p, 720x576, audio aac
the length of the clip is 6min29sec

the target file is FLV video
640x360 (as you suggested and it worked fine)
the clip doesn't start silent
i can't tell if it drifts during the whole clip since it's so off that i don't really have a reference
the sync issue tends to drift, in the sense that I get the impression that it's not the same neither
a) when a make a new conversion with the same parameters, nor
b) when I open the flv it seems to differ as well (to be sure I will check that one, need to convert it one more time, since I threw away the failed conversions)

So far I have not had the sync issue with other conversion, but I don't remember converting such a big file... and I didn't try to convert this specific file to another format - should I try?

thank you so much! i really appreciate your help very much!!!

@Baldrick: I've tried avidemux but it gives me strange error messages... ("If the file is using B-frames as reference it can lead to a crash or stuttering. Avidemux can use another mode which is safe but YOU WILL LOSE FRAME ACCURACY.
Do you want to use that mode?") hm... sound pretty much like a similar sync problem??? or do i misunderstand? tahnk you for your help!

[Case]

the original file is mp4 which I opened with Quicktime Pro in order to shorten it a bit. Than I saved it, now it says .mov.

So far I have not had the sync issue with other conversion, but I don't remember converting such a big file... and I didn't try to convert this specific file to another format.

You may want to try this:
In QuickTime Pro, export the MOV as DV Stream. Set options to maintain 16:9, PAL and progressive. Check the sync again by playing the DV file.
Convert your DV file to FLV.

[lilly333]

...just started it... it says it takes 12h53m to do the job
is that possible? should i proceed?? i will & let you know... but if it really takes that long... kind of a bummer since i need my computer for other stuff, too

[Case]

It does seem like a long time for a 6.5 minute clip.

[lilly333]

this thing starts to haunt me when the output time jumped from 12hrs to 15hrs with the fans roaring as if preparing for a flight to the moon i canceled... if i don't find another solution, i will try this "operation" at night (even hough it will be like sleeping next to a runway)

is there any other way to trim the mpeg4? not in quicktime pro but directly somehow? that way i might just go from mpeg4 directly to the flv video conversion - maybe that would work???

again: thank you for your kindness to put up with me & my file conversion nightmare...