Size Question

[Endemoniada]

Hi guys,

I transfered some VHS tapes to my camcorder using the Canopus ADVC300, then I transfered the mini-DVs to my computer using WinDV.

The AVI files come out 720x480, both in Type I and Type II.

I just started using a program called Frame-Shots (to get image captures) and selected "same size as movie", there are two video modes, one of them makes the images 640x480 and the other 720x540.

What exactly is going on? Is it the Frame-Shots program that can't get it right or is there something I'm missing.

Thanks.

[jagabo]

DV does not use square pixels. The 720x480 frame encodes a 4:3 picture aspect ratio. The software you are using is resizing the image to create 4:3 pictures for a square pixel display.

[Endemoniada]

Hi,

Thanks for that information.

I have been resizing/encoding my AVIs to maintain the aspect ratio, so I would make them a 3:2 ratio to match the 720x480, particularly 600x400.

Is that correct for computer display? Should I instead use the 4:3 aspect when I resize the videos?

I am shooting for quality first and foremost and the target is WMV for viewing on computers.

Thanks again.

[Wile_E]

You are confusing display aspect ratio(DAR) and pixel aspect ratio(PAR). You don't have to resize. Keep your DV files 720x480 at 4:3. These will play back correctly on the computer. The software player automatically displays it correctly on-the-fly.

[Endemoniada]

Hi again,

Well, I want to resize to make them a little smaller. I also want to take screenshots so I can make image galleries.

So, if my AVI is 720x480 and I play it in WMP will it display as 720x540 pixels? If that's the case then my images should be 4:3 so they match what's displayed in the Media Player right?

I'm kind of new at this. Thanks for the help.

[edDV]

Are you trying to apply specific filters or effects?

If not, Windows Media Encoder understands 720x480 4:3 input.

[jagabo]

So, if my AVI is 720x480 and I play it in WMP will it display as 720x540 pixels?

It depends on your player, the codecs, and how everything is set up. Some players will simply display it at 720x480 with a 3:2 aspect ratio. Some will resize to 640x480, others to 720x540.

If that's the case then my images should be 4:3 so they match what's displayed in the Media Player right?

Generally, yes. But it may depend on exactly what you are doing with the images. If you're just making JPGs to send to friends you want to resize to 4:3. If you're making still shots to be used in a video you may not want to resize depending on the software you're using.

[edDV]

Try a test encode from 720x480. You will see the output size selections if you ask for streaming output.

Web page design allows you to alter display size further.

So consider 720x480 DV as production size, then the encoder sets file aspect size and the HTML or other defines the display size.