Weird Aspect Question

[glenn71x]

I have been using Eazy VCD to rip some DVDs to SVCDs. When I rip to a basic VCD mpg and play back the mpg on my computer it looks fine. If I use the X(S)VCD option though, the mpg created on my computer seems to be stretched vertically. The source DVD is 4:3 material. It looks normal if I make just a plain VCD rip, but when I change to an XVCD I get that weird stretched look. When I burn to a CD though and playback on my DVD Stand Alone it looks normal. Easy VCD is correctly choosing 4:3 for the aspect ratio for both VCD or XVCD. Any reason why I am getting that elongated look on my computer?

Thanks

[greengate69]

I am guessing you are previewing the .mpg in Windows Media Player ?

It looks stretched because the resolution is 480/576 (PAL) or 480/480 (NTSC) for SVCD whereas for VCD it is 352/288 or 352/240.

To view the file properly on the PC, you can use any number of other players. Most DVD playing software should be able to play these mps and display them properly. There are also a number of specialist (S)VCD players which will do the trick.

Easiest way is if you have (e.g.) WinDVD then just use the settings within the program to open all mpg files using WinDVD.