Can we create 16:9 Divx to be played back on standalones?

[nufdude]

This could have been answered before, but did not find any answers.. So asking again...

This is a 2-part question.
1. Can we create 16:9 divx (mpeg4) AVI's?
Just resizing/cropping to pixel resolution of 16:9, would that be considered as 16:9 or some other method?

2. Next question, if we can create one, can we use standalone players (like Phillips dvp642) to play back on a widescreen TV (using the component inputs) ?

I am planning to but this Phillips model and debating should I use this model with my widescreen or standard tv in another room. or just continue to use my laptop to connect to TV..

Thanks for your replies - in advance.

Nuf Dude.

[celtic_druid]

So what you really want to know is if you can do anamorphic encodes? Well not all standalones can understand PAR info, they just assume that it is 1:1. Such files can be created and played back via PC just fine though. For DivX you need to set the PAR after encoding.

If you mean an ESS based Phillips, then I would not plan on using it on a widescreen TV. Get another player instead and test the output before buying or make sure that you can return it.

[FulciLives]

If you made a 16x9 DivX or Xvid then the player will not resize it.

At least not the Phillips DVP-642 (as per my understanding).

Now if you have a true 16x9 display or a 4:3 display with a 16x9 mode then it will look normal.

But on a 4:3 only TV it will NOT look normal.

If you want to try this the best way would be to keep the frame size 640x480 and keep any "black" that you would normally cut off (or cut it off but add it back for "fresh" black).

That should work. This is in theory mind you

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

P.S.
For instance ... if you have a 720x480 16x9 WS DVD with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio then cutting the black would leave roughly 720x360 (probably 704x360 as there is sometimes black on the sides as well) and for square pixels this gets resized to 640x272

I say cut all the black ... then add fresh black ... so you are "back at" 720x480 then resize to 640x480 which should work (I think).

I just bought a Phillips DVP-642 but I only have a normal 4:3 TV so I can't test this idea.

[nufdude]

Thanks for the replies.

[nomad71]

Hi, this topic seems to relate a little to one of my questions. I'm copying my music DVD's to a PC so that I can have my own video jukebox at home. However, VirtualDub-Mpeg has changed my 16:9 VOB to a 4:3 Divx.

I can't see why this has happened. Really appreciate any ideas why this might have happened.

Thanks.

[mgh]

All flavors of virtualdub read the video at the encoded size. You have to resize to get correct AR.
Else, use avi.NET.

[celtic_druid]

DivX only does 1:1 PAR, so if you fed VDub a DVD source you should get 5:4 not 4:3.

You can change the PAR with MPEG4Modifier after encoding or use XviD to encode instead since it allows you to set PAR before encoding.

The DivX decoder I believe does support PAR resizing so it should playback fine.