Divx to SVCD; bad aspect ratio with 'Decode with mplayer'

[MrWhite]

For the 1st time in MANY conversions w/FF I'm having a multi-part problem I can't seem to figure out. I'm trying to convert a Divx file (576x240) to a standard SVCD mpg(s) with subtitles (from a srt file).

Since I'm trying to add subtitles, I'm using 'Decode with mplayer' and selecting 'Letterbox' to encode. The subs are showing up properly in the final mpg, but my image is still stretched vertically (tall & skinny) even with the black bars. The final mpg is OK when encoding w/Quicktime, but then I can't get the subs to work.

I've read your advice in other posts to modify the Divx (now a Divx Doctored mov) to "add scaled" a black background to correct this (which would seem to be an advantage, as now I should be able to put the subs in the preferred black bar area). Unfortunately, whether I save with dependancies or self-contained, I cannot get FF to recognize the new background size.

I have Quicktime Pro 6.5 so I can export to different formats, but I was hoping to not lose any quality by re-encoding. Am I just missing something obvious? Thanks for a great program!

[leaded]

Have you played the file back on a SVCD player, or just your computer?

SVCD files are 480x480, so their pixel ratio is 1:1, or square. Your SVCD player squeezes it down to 4:3 for your TV, but your computer's player won't.

If it looks weird still on your TV, I don't know what to do (I'm no expert!).

"Mplayer decode" has only a 16:9 letterboxing, so it will not be enough if your source is 2.35:1