problem with aspect ratio when converting xvid (avi) to DVD

[tdsilk]

Hello,

When I play my XVID file on my computer using win media v10 everything looks great as far as widescreen with black bars at top and bottom. When I burn the movie to DVD using WINAVI the movie fills the entire screen w/o black bars and there is some slight vertical distortion.
GSPOT was used to give me the following on the XVID (avi) file:

size=699 MB 4CC=xvic runtime=01:00:23 x:y=640x272(2.35:1)
bitrate=1165 kb/s FPS=23.97 Audio=ac3 Audio bitrate=448 kb
Fs=48000 Hz

I've tried several settings in WINAVI (i.e. Target format=PAL Aspect ratio=4:3 and Target Format=NTSC Aspect=16:9)

I get the same results with each setting. I played the DVD on both a Panasonic CP67 and a Toshiba TV/DVD player and the results are the same.

Sorry for all the info., but my question is how do I maintain the aspect ratio of my XVID file when converted to DVD? Will WINAVI work or in there a better SW to use? Secondly, if I have a XVID movie split across to DICS, can they be combine to one movie?

Thanks,
TDSILK

[lchiu7]

I had a similar problem. I was encoding to mpeg2 using mainconcept and for some xvid files if I set the encoding AR to 16:9 the resultant mpeg2 file was letterboxed okay. Othertimes it didn't matter what AR I set - the original letterbox image was vertically stretched. In the end I used DVDPatch to change the AR of the file from 4:3 to 16:9 and that works

[monzie]

You have 2 options with that avi AR.

1) encode at 4:3 with with 704 X 272 (on 720 x 480)

or

2) encode at 16:9 with 720 X 368

both options have borders....option 2 borders are smaller.

Forget WinAVI and invest in CCE Basic (or CCE SP if you have DEEP POCKETS) and use AVIScript/FitCD (both free).

[divingbuddy]

If you are using WinAVI 6.2 you can change the setting from 100% to 70% on your properties of your AVI to DVD option. I use 80%, this will help the stretching effect of the picture that occurs when a letterbox is made into a full screen picture.

[tdsilk]

Hi divingbuddy,

I have 6.2 of WINAVI. Should I try 70% or 80%? Also, do you have any recommendations for the target format (i.e. PAL or NTSC) and AR settings? When I've used PAL in the pass it didn't play on my panasonic DVD player.

Thanks,
tdsilk

[funkguy4]

AVISynth them together (the script would be this

AVISource("%PATH OF FISRT FILE%") + AVISource("%PATH OF SECOND FILE")
Lanczos4Resize(720,360)
addborders(0,60,0,60)

save it as MYFILEYO.avs

load it up into some MPEG2 encoder (TMPGEnc or CCE), tell it the source format is 16:9

encode away, easy as hell, out pops your mpeg2 video stream

demux the ac3 using VirtualDubMod (you might need to fix the header using ac3fix if the file isn't recognized in your authoring app)

AUTHOR AWAY

this prolly the best way IMHO

make sure to get the latest avisynth
the tmpgenc trial lasts 30 days or soemthing for MPEG2 w/ full functionality