Aspect Ratio

[Tool Man]

I have just finished my first DVD to VCD, so I really should start by thanking Sefy for his excellent guide.
I was really pleased with both the picture and sound quality of the finished VCD, but I am not happy with the aspect ratio. As it was sort of a test run, I just used the first DVD that came to hand, which was Stargate Directors Cut on R2 PAL DVD.
Now, the ratio on the DVD is stated as 2.35:1, but after I followed the guide, the finished VCD seems to be slighty taller, more like 16:9, which results it objects looking "stretched" vertically, although not by much. If it's important, I used the PAL VCD template in TMPGenc.(352x288 @25fps).
If anyone knows where I went wrong, I would appreciate it.
Thanks.
Tool Man.

[poopyhead]

in dvd2avi, did you note what the source aspect ratio was? when u r creating the project file in dvd2avi, there is an info box that pops up, on the top will indicate the aspect ratio...either 16:9 or 4:3

in tmpgenc, u would choose either the 16:9 or 4:3 PAL versions depending on wut dvd2avi told u

also, for image positioning method, u should choose full screen (preserve aspect ratio)

also, for your output video, it should be 4:3 i believe (not sure if it's the same as NTSC TVs)

[Sefy]

Do as poopyhead mentioned, but i do believe TMPGEnc has another option under the 16:9, which is a 2.31:1, try using that one instead for Anamorphic Wide Screen.

[Tool Man]

OK, I tried what you said, but I can't seem to change the ratio anywhere along the line. Smartripper see's it as 4:3, and DVD2AVI see's the ripped file as 16:9. But neither of these will let me change the ratio, neither will TMPGEnc, it says 4:3, but under settings, it is 'greyed' out, as in not selectable. But I don't think TMPGEnc is the problem, as the video already looks stretched in the preview window before I encode it to MPEG.
So, I 'think' the problem is DVD2AVI seeing it as 16:9, instead of 4:3, as Smartripper said.
So, how do I change the ratio in DVD2AVI?

Thanks again.
Tool Man.

[poopyhead]

smartripper is horrible at detecting aspect ratios...don't ever trust smartripper...dvd2avi is the best way to detect aspect ratios it's about 99% accurate

also, for image positioning method...choose full screen (preserve aspect ratio)

also in tmpgenc, there's a tab where u can specify the aspect ratio of your OUTPUT VIDEO....u should try choosing 4:3 display

[Sefy]

Press on the Settings in TMPGEnc, go to the Advanced (not Video) and there you do the selection, to maintain your aspect ratio, select:
2.31:1 Display (for Anamorphic)
16:9 Display (for Wide Screen)
4:3 Display (for Full Screen)

then select
Full Screen (keep aspect ratio 2)

[Tool Man]

Thanks a lot for your help guys, I managed to change the ratio in TMPGEnc as you said to 16:9 PAL, and the output is perfect.
So, what your saying is, I should set TMPGEnc to whatever DVD2AVI says the ratio is?
I think I understand now.
Thanks again,

Tool Man.

[Twin]

So, what your saying is, I should set TMPGEnc to whatever DVD2AVI says the ratio is?

Yes.. :P