Picture size

[maloricsdad]

I have recently got a digital video camera.
I thought putting family movies onto dvd would be a good thing.
I only have one problem
No matter what resolution i record in, by the time i have got it onto dvd the picture is just a small pic (about half screen size)on the tv screen.
when i select wide screen (pal 16:9) the picture becomes tall but narrow,
When i select Pal full screen the picture is still narrow but not as tall.
I cant seem to get it to fill the screen
I dont mind what software i have to buy, i just want to get my holiday movies onto dvd in a format I can watch without a pair of binoculars
I need to finish it off in pal - full or wide screen
If anyone can help i would be very gratefull
thanks in advance ................ Maloricsdad

[Baldrick]

it would help if you told us what tools you are using.

[maloricsdad]

I have been using Vegas 4 & DVD architect 1
but recently upgraded to vegas 5 & DVD architect 2

[dxj40c]

I use Photoshop to crop/resize stills to the 720x480 DVD resolution (any photo editor will work though). They fill the screen @ 4:3 ratio. Are you using the video slide show setting? I've never used that, I just make a movie of stills and use transitions to dissolve one into the other. The viewer does not have an option to move from picture to picture. I control that because I try to make the pictures synch with music, sound effects, and sometime i stick a video clip in the show.

Your manual should tell you what resolution you need, if you don't have a manual for the programs you listed, they are downloadable at the Sony site for free.

[dxj40c]

Edit for my post: 720x480 will give you 16:9 format. To do full screen, crop your pictures to 640x480, then resize to 720x480. Everyone will look fatter, but it will be right at 4:3 format.