DVD-R Backups on both Widescreen and 4:3 TVs

[KaoS]

I hate to ask this because I think it has been talked about so many times before but I feel like I just keep getting conflicting information and I am about ready to pull my hair out.

I have a Widescreen TV in the Livingroom and a normal TV in the bedroom. Both have DVD players.

I also have friends that would want to borrow movies that have normal TVs.

What method can I use to create DVDs that look correct on both my 16:9 TV and my 4:3 TV?

I have been told that Spruce does not do 16:9, so I think that takes it out of the equation.

I do not want movies that are distored on either TV. I want to end up with a result that looks just like a store bought DVD would look like on both TVs (adjusting itself accordingly... assuming its a WS movie, it would fill up the 16:9 movie and create letterbox on normal TVs)

I know this is no problem if you do not have to re-encode, but once you start re-encoding is where the problem lies

I would prefer if it was answered by someone that actually has both Types of TVs and has done this sucessfully but if the information is correct, I will take it from anyone

Thanks

[dmonty]

I have been told that Spruce does not do 16:9, so I think that takes it out of the equation.

This is not correct. SpruceUp can import 16:9 but the final output is in 4:3. You can overcome this shortcomming by using IFOEdit to switch the apect ratio back to 16:9. To do this simply create a title set of your movie then open the main movie's corresponding IFO file. You should see “Title Set (Movie) attributes:”. Double click “Video: MPEG-2 720x480.......” to open the video attributes. In the “Aspect Ratio” box check “16:9”. And select "Force Letterbox" to have the picture adjust itself when viewed on 4:3 tvs.

Hope this helps.

D

[KaoS]

So this will cause the DVD to act like a 16:9 anamorphic DVD again then? Fine on both types of TVs?

Thanks!

[dmonty]

I have a 4:3 and a 16:9 TV. This method recreates the original aspect ratio correctly.