Capturing: 720x480 vs 704x480???

[digitalfreaknyc]

Hey all,

I noticed most commercial DVD's are 720x480 but my stand-alone recorder uses only 704x480. Is there a significant difference? What accounts for this difference?

Is there any way to make a DVD with some videos that are 720 and others that are 704?

[BSR]

Is there any way to make a DVD with some videos that are 720 and others that are 704?

As long as they are on seperate tracks.

Both 720 and 704 are DVD standards.
Sometimes I capture at 720 and then crop to 704.

If you do a search, there were some very in depth discussions regarding this. If I find them I'll try to post a link.

EDIT
Here it is
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=233653

[Capmaster]

720x480 includes overscan. 704x480 doesn't

Overscan is the portion around the edges of a DVD that are never seen on a TV due to overscan. They can be seen on a PC software player since it doesn't "scan" like a TV does.

http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html

section 3.5 addresses it.

[digitalfreaknyc]

Wow. Great responses guys. Thanks!

But my question is...why do these stand-alone players record at 704 instead of 720? Do all of them do this?

I'm new to the forum so I'm not sure how much the stand-alone players are discussed.

[BSR]

Might want to check out the DVD recorders Forum.
I don't have one so not sure.

[lordsmurf]

720x480 includes overscan. 704x480 doesn't

Overscan is the portion around the edges of a DVD that are never seen on a TV due to overscan. They can be seen on a PC software player since it doesn't "scan" like a TV does.

http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html

section 3.5 addresses it.

Overscan is closer to about 16 pixels, maybe 20, on each side.
While a lot of good theory exists for 704, it doesn't hold up in practice.
There is not much difference between 704 and 720.
704 tends to give a more true image rendition.
720 has a tendency to add linear artifacts.