DVD Distortion on TV

[Craig Taylor]

My DVD's are distorted (objects are 33% wider than real life) when viewed on TV. My video cameras record 720 X 480, 4:3, I edit in Ulead using a 4:3 format and the TV uses 16:9 format. I have tried using the 16:9 options on the cameras and in Ulead, and combinations thereof, no help. I have changed the TV format to 4:3, again no help - just reduces the viewing area cropping the video, the viewable portion of which remains distorted.

I understand the format difference is the problem. The camera and solftware somehow automatically resize the 720 x 480 frame to fit their 4:3 displays without distortion, why doesn't the TV? What am I missing?

[Case]

You should author a 4:3 DVD from 4:3 footage; the tv aspect ratio doesn't matter at this point.
You should set the video output on the DVD player as connected to a 16:9 tv.
If your tv has a zoom function, make sure it is set to Off.
The player and the tv should then negotiate how the content is displayed (pillarboxed).

Do you have any DVD in 4:3 that was made with other software or by someone else? Does that play correctly on your tv? If not, adjust your tv and DVD player to get it to display correctly.