Don't get it...WMV

[stompinne]

I'm working on clips, which i save as mpeg2, PAL format, 720x576 (in Sony Vegas). To compress the files more i (batch)convert them with Super into WMV, same formats as mentioned above.
Now as i watch my Rendered mpeg2's, the view format as i wanted it, but when i watch them converted WMV's, the width of the files isn't correct. The width is smaller.
Even when i render them i Vegas to a WMV, the width is always a bitter smaller.

How come? How to solve this?

[Baldrick]

The mpeg2 are probably in a 4:3(or 16:9) Display Aspect Ratio (DAR) so they will be stretched to a 4:3 size when you play them. The wmvs are probably just played in 1:1 display aspect mode so it will look a bit wrong so I would convert a 4:3 frame size like 640x480 (widht/height = 1.33333 = 4:3)

Read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspect_ratio_(image) for more information about display aspect ratio.

[guns1inger]

Follow Baldrick's advice. I have to output both from Vegas - one for mastering to DVD, the other for projecting from a PC using WMP (don't ask - against my advice) in WMV format. I output the WMV at around 3000kbps at 640 x 480 and looks OK.

[stompinne]

The mpeg2 are probably in a 4:3(or 16:9) Display Aspect Ratio (DAR) so they will be stretched to a 4:3 size when you play them. The wmvs are probably just played in 1:1 display aspect mode so it will look a bit wrong so I would convert a 4:3 frame size like 640x480 (height/width = 1.33333 = 4:3)

Read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspect_ratio_(image) for more information about display aspect ratio.

Tanx, i forgot to mention, now matter the DAR-origin, i adjust the size and render them as 4:3. I watch the result on windows media player. It's purpose is to be played with winamp (which luckily fills the screen correctly, but i want a more correct DAR actually), tru a projector to a screen.
I'll try the 640x480.
But about that 1:1 display, i don't get it quite. You mean played tru windows media player, or...?

[guns1inger]

WMP is very poor at handling AR correctly, so if I have to use WMP then I always go 1:1. Even WMP can't screw that up.

Don't forget that 720 x 576 only looks correct because it uses non-square pixels. If you display it with a 1:1 pixel aspect ratio then the display is incorrect again.