Formating for older TV media players with handbrake

[Truenorth179]

I know, been told many times here that the older tv should be scrapped or some other player should be added. I'm helping out an older financially challenged person that can't / won't do that. I'm stuck with an old tv.

I've gathered up some files from friends of old movies. For this tv I reduce the video frequency but lately I've hit a problem that I can't see the answer to

I'm finding that this TV will play standard width, height and aspect ratio files. For example 1280/720 16:9 will play fine. I think that 1920/1040 will work fine.

1280/692 1.85:1 will not and 1280/546 2.35:1 will not play. Crashes the TV. What handbrake strategy / technique will get these files formatted for this thing?

You guys have been so helpful, thanks. And I just love handbrake. What an amazing accomplishment.

[DB83]

Not sure if handbrake can do what I propose but avidemux can.

The simplest thing is to force the video height to 720 pixels (1280 width) by adding borders top and bottom. So with your first example you require 14 pixels top and bottom and for the second example you require 87 pixels top and bottom

[jagabo]

Newer versions of Handbrake can add borders. You won't be able to add borders of odd sizes so instead of 87+87 you'll have to do 86+88.

[DB83]

-delete-

[DB83]

^^ I guessed so much (although avidemux, theoretically, allows for odd numbers). I was merely relaying a basic theory.

[jagabo]

avidemux, theoretically, allows for odd numbers)

Not for YUV 4:2:0 chroma subsampled video -- almost certainly what the OP will be working with. For non-chroma subsampled video both programs can add odd border sizes.

I just didn't want the OP to be confused when he couldn't add 87+87 borders. And of course, the borders don't have to be (near) even. He could use for example, 64+110, any pairing that adds up to 174. Shifting the image up like that can be useful when using subtitles -- the subs can be rendered in the black border rather than over the active picture.