480x576 - Which dimension doesn't affect picture quality ?

[scottb721]

I normally capture my analog camcorder for SVCD transfer using Virtualdub at 480x576 resolution.

I understand that only one direction of the picture really affects the quality of it. (to a certain point obviously)
Which dimension can I reduce to save hard disc space while capturing with VirtualDub?

Also, which direction is 480 and which is 576 ?

[energy80s]

480x576 is really 2 interlaced 480x288 half frames (fields). If you drop below the 576 vertical frame it will no longer be interlaced video. However you can cut the width from 480 to 352 and still have perfectly interlaced video. Oh and it will be DVD compatible too.

[DJRumpy]

The first number is always width (480). The second is always height (576). The more important resolution is the height, because a television doesn't use a horizontal resolution per say. Reducing the horizontal won't have as drastic an affect as reducing the vertical. I often capture in 352x480 if I'm cramped for space (352x576 for PAL users). Half D1 as it's called, is compatible with both the CVD resoltion, and DVD resolution. The output will look good, with lower bitrates as well.

[scottb721]

thanks.
that will be why windows media player plays my captures tall and skinny. I'm not sure how to fix it's aspect ratio to 4:3.
TV and PowerDVD playback is obviously fine.
I can't get more than 1 hour of capture using VirDub and huffyuv on my 35Gb spare HDD space so 352x576 should give me more.

[Cornucopia]

Yes, scottb721, 352x576 will give you more time for your space.
Unfortunately, as far as Win Media player is concerned you can't do much about the aspect ratio bug (actually it's just a deficiency in its capabilities). Use a different app to view, or since you know it shows up OK on TV, just ignore the squeeze.
BTW, 352x576 will be squeezed also.

Scott

[scottb721]

I normally use PowerDVD for playback.

Another question about VDub and huffy , please bear with me,

When I set custom format of 480x576 I can't choose YUY2 in the data format box, as advised in guides , I can only choose UYVY (It gives me error 418) , anyway,
Now when i select Huffy in the Compression window and then look in the Huffy configuration dialog box there is "YUY2 compression method"
Which selection in this box provides better results ?

or, because I can't choose YUY2 in the custom format section does the huffy configure choices not have any effect ?

Thanks
Scott

[DJRumpy]

I've noted the same thing in the Huffy settings. No worries though, as the output will be YUY2.

As you've already found, Windows Media Player doesn't understand aspect ratio's. It seems like I recall that some versions of MPLAYER2.EXE did though. Try running MPLAYER2.EXE from the start bar (the executable is in your program files directory). Much less gack when your looking for a quick preview or your avi/avs/mpeg. You would think an OS as complex as Windows would at least learn to play back media properly. It still has the DVDPLAY.EXE executable in the System32 directory though (Winnt). That should also read the aspect ratio correctly.