Video has DAR 16:9 but is really a 4:3. How to convert?

[pooksahib]

Hi. I have a video which is obviously 'wrong' when played. The media information generated by KMPlayer shows a DAR of 16:9 but the picture only becomes natural when switched to 4:3. Probably an error by whoever created it. I've tried various settings on xmediarecode but the converted videos, while fine on the whole, have some sections where there is distortion lasting a few seconds.

Does anyone recognise this problem and maybe have a suggestion for the best way to convert to 4:3?

Thanks for any replies.

[jagabo]

What type of video? AVI? MPG? MKV? MP4? In many cases you can set the DAR at the container level so no reencoding is necessary.

[pooksahib]

Hello again jagabo. Chapter and verse attached!

[poisondeathray]

mpeg4modifier

[jagabo]

Yes, Mpeg4Modifier will change the MPEG 4 aspect ratio flags without reencoding the video. Not all players respond to the AR flags though.

[pooksahib]

Amazing tool!! Thanks so much - have a virtual beer on me.

[ukb007]

Restream can do this for mpeg-2 encoded files. This I have learned from gshelley61: "You will have to demux the DVD video files into separate .m2v + audio files, but then Restream can save a new .m2v for you with the AR flag without re-encoding. Then remux and/or author the new .m2v (with the new AR flag) with your audio file into a new DVD and you're all set." This is good advice.

MKVmerge in MKVtoolnix can do this for x264 video. This I have learned from poisondeathray in another post: "Load video, select video track, go to format specific options tab, set aspect ratio, click start muxing". I found his advice to be quite sound.

Regards.