Trying to author 16:9 (720x400) source in MSP 6.5, but no go

[jeepman]

I finally saved enough for a "cheap" Plasma. I got the Akai at Costco for about $3.2K AR. I have a Sony Camcorder which will do 16:9, so that is what I will use from now on, but I would like to redo some of my current tape library in 16:9 mode too. I have used TMPEGenc to create a 720x400 MPEG2 file, but ULead MSP 6.5's DVD plugin it refusing to use it, and says to use an MPEG2 compliant source. Is there a package that will let me do very basic authoring of a 720x400 source, or am I on the wrong track completely?

[Scheif]

The software was right: 720x400 is not DVD-compliant. I see a couple of choices:

Use MSP to overlay black bars. Unfortunately, this will mean rerendering and recompressing your entire video.

Use TMPGEnc to encode specifying "Center (keep aspect ratio)" as the "Video arrange method." This is clearly preferred, since it will save recompression of the video source.

Hope this helps.

[jeepman]

The software was right: 720x400 is not DVD-compliant. I see a couple of choices:

Use MSP to overlay black bars. Unfortunately, this will mean rerendering and recompressing your entire video.

Use TMPGEnc to encode specifying "Center (keep aspect ratio)" as the "Video arrange method." This is clearly preferred, since it will save recompression of the video source.

Hope this helps.

OK, I kind of understand. Are you saying to create the 720x400 so the image will look correct, then put in ULead with Black Bars and create a 720x480 so it is the correct size?

The reason I ask this way is, if I just do the black bars, then the images will still be stretched out because it is just basically a 4:3 with Black Bars. I will try and try and prove myself wrong, but if you have other suggestions, that would be helpful.

Thanks!

[Scheif]

OK, now I'm a bit confused. I had presumed that your 720x400 video had the "correct" aspect ratio -- essentially 720x480 (DV) cropped to 720x400. But, since you say they would be distorted with black bars overlaid, perhaps this is not so.

How did you produce your 720x400 video?

[jeepman]

OK, now I'm a bit confused. I had presumed that your 720x400 video had the "correct" aspect ratio -- essentially 720x480 (DV) cropped to 720x400. But, since you say they would be distorted with black bars overlaid, perhaps this is not so.

How did you produce your 720x400 video?

I used TMPGenc and set the size to be 720x400 and then centered it. I have since upgraded to the latest TMPG and tried the 16:9 aspect ratio setting, and when the clip rendered, I could see it was "squished" vertically so that means it will look fine on 16:9. It is also 720x480, so it will be compliant size. I am looking forward to creating the DVD to see how it looks!

Thanks everyone.