Aspect Ratio Problem

[maccool111]

Recently I used DVD2AVI to extract a video file. The resulting avi file was the correct dimensions 720x576 but according to mediainfo the aspect ratio was 5:4 instead of 16:9 and in fact played at 5:4. I want to transfer the file to a stand alone HD Player but not with its current aspect ratio. I've played around with several programs including WinAvi and DivX Converter to correct the aspect ratio but the resulting file ends up being cropped top and bottom.
Anyone any suggestions?
Thanks In Advance.

[Baldrick]

Try mpeg4modifier. BUT the dvd player might ignore the aspect radio in the avi. Then instead convert to 16:9 square pixel aspect ratio(like 640x360) with for example autogk.

[jmohn]

Perhaps this is obvious or I'm missing something but, 720x576 is 5:4.

Isn't it?

JerryM

[aedipuss]

Perhaps this is obvious or I'm missing something but, 720x576 is 5:4.

Isn't it?

JerryM

no.

since it was extracted off a dvd, the mpg is either 4:3 or 16x9 depending on the display flag. no one would want to display it in it's actual pixel size of 720x576, because it's 768x576 or 1024x576 in square pixel terms.

[maccool111]

Sorted. Not exactly what I wanted but it will do.
Used WinAvi to create an Mpeg2 and then used TMPG Editor to restore its 16:9 aspect.

[turk690]

Perhaps this is obvious or I'm missing something but, 720x576 is 5:4.

Isn't it?

JerryM

The uninitiated who has just jumped into the aspect ratio fray tends to think of all pixels as square, and indeed that's the most convenient way of tangling with them. But the last time I was aware of a true 5x4 square pixel anything is the appearance 5 years ago or so of 1280x1024 LCD monitors. In that sense, yes, 720x576 is 5x4.
But there are many examples of non-square pixels (say, stretched horizontally so they're now rectangular), so that visually 720x576 can look 16x9 or 4x3 (more currently the rule than the exception).
A flag is inserted in a video stream so the player knows when and how much to stretch for correct playback appearance. Some programs wretchedly refuse to put in this flag when encoding, or recognize it if it's there and what it has to say, like any and all versions of Nero Vision. Womble MPG-VCR, on the other hand, reliably allows you to put it in, take it out, and set it.
An example of a permanently set flag would be that of an HDV stream, which is 1440x1080 but is always displayed 16x9.

[jmohn]

turk690,

Thanks for the info.

And, yes, I am "unintiated" (especially concerning aspect ratios).

Jerry M