Conversion size is driving me crazy!

[artdog]

I have tried several different apps, DVD Remaster, Handbrake and Mpegstreamclip. I am trying to convert a rip of a Thomas the Tank Engine DVD to h.264 so I can play it on my WDTV. I know this is a PAL disc so the format should be 720x576. I am pretty sure this is not a widescreen format.

Every time I set the converter to either a custom size of 720x576 or to use the original size, it ends up squished horizontally or stretched vertically.

I am at my wits end with this. I have been unable to letter box the video as well but I see no reason it should be letter boxed anyway. It should be a standard 4:3 format.

Any one have any idea what I am doing wrong? I would really appreciated any suggestions.

[guns1inger]

If it is getting squished then is it most likely not 4:3. Start by using mediainfo or g-spot on your source VOBs to confirm the actual format.

I would also try Xvid4PSP, which will take care of cropping and getting the correct aspect ratio for you most of the time.

Edit : scratch that. First, go an update you computer details to reflect the fact you are now using a Mac. That limits the range of software options open to you. I still believe you have a 16:9 source though.

[artdog]

Ok I get the following from AVI info and the attached screen shot from gspot. Both seem to state 720 x 576 so I am still stumped why when I choose that as a render size, the video is getting squeezed.

Thanks for the quick response by the way.

/Volumes/scratch/VIDEO_TS/VTS_01_7.VOB
========================================
Name..........: VTS_01_7.VOB
Filesize......: 431Mb
Runtime.......: 00:03:21
Video Codec...: MPEG2
Video Bitrate.: 9Mbps
Frame Size....: 720x576(9:16)
Frame Rate....: 25fps

[Baldrick]

It is widescreen, 720x576 with a 16:9 flag will be resized to 16:9 while you play it.

I would convert to a 16:9 resolution like 702x384 or let the conversion application choose the best resolution for you.

[guns1inger]

720 x 576 is for both 16:9 and 4:3 material. The Display Aspect Ratio flag (DAR) tells you which it is, and yours clearly says 1.778(16:9).

Follow our wise host's sage advice and all will be well.

[artdog]

702 x 384 looks great. Obviously I still have allot to learn. Thanks so much for the quick help! You guys are awesome.

[jagabo]

I'd stay away from mod2 frame sizes like 702. Use 704x384 instead (both mod16). If you want the best quality, and the WDTV supports it, encode at the original frame size (720x576) and use PAR/DAR flags to specify the display AR.

[artdog]

I have no idea what mod2 means but that probably explains why handbrake wouldn't let me set 702 as a width.

Thanks again for all the responses.

[jagabo]

MPEG family codecs are most efficient with mod8 or mod16 (integer multiples of 8 or 16, not any smaller number). For example 704 is 44*16 (good). 702 is only 351*2 (bad). Some codecs refuse to encode mod2. Some will refuse to play back mod2. Some will attempt to play back mod2 but deliver gross decoding errors. All should refuse to work with mod1 (any odd, as in even/odd, frame size).