DVD screen res question.

[LanceSteel]

Is 352x480 with an aspect ratio of 16:9 a valid (standard) dvd format. I known that 352x480 is a valid resolution but when I play it on my Apex-500w the screen goes all wierd. On my PS2 and computer it plays perfectly fine. I've done dvd's with a res of 352x480 and 4:3 and they play fine on everything.

Thanks.

[SLK001]

As far as I can remember (from DVD Demystified), the aspect ratio and the screen resolution are unrelated. I'll look through the book tonight and see if this is mentioned anywhere.

[SLK001]

Well, it turns out that a DVD player expects a VCD to have a 4:3 aspect ratio. If you want a 16:9, then you must use letterboxing (unless you can find a player that can play a VCD with this AR).

[LanceSteel]

I'm burning the stream as a DVD. The settings I'm using in Tmpeg is Mpeg2 2-pass VBR 5500 with a res of 352x480 and an aspect ratio of 16:9. When I import the .m2v stream into the authoring software it imports fine (it is very picky about the video streams.) Like I said the DVD plays on two of the three players I have so I'm thinking its a player issue.

Thanks for the help SLK001!

[SLK001]

I'm sorry, what I meant was a DVD settop player expects all VCD resolution video to be at 4:3 aspect ratio. But, like you have found, many DVD players "expand" on the DVD spec.

[LanceSteel]

I thought an Mpeg2 @ 352x480 was a valid dvd resolution (at least that's what I've gathered from the dvd demystified faq.) In the discussion (in the faq) about letterbox versus widescreen they talk about 352x480 with an aspect ratio of 16:9.

I guess I can just say I'm really confused about what's a valid res/aspect combo and if my player can support it. I'm going to pass this dvd to a friend and see if he can play it on his toshiba player.