How to save to dv avi format

[joy]

copied the video folder from a non-encrypted dvd with 4:3 display aspect ratio. using virtualdubmpeg2 opened the video but noticed it was stretched sideways. how do i save this video to dv avi format and keeping the aspect ratio? any help will be greatly appreaciated. thanks

[guns1inger]

First you need the panasonic DV codec installed so virtualdubmpeg2 can create a DV avi for you.

Not sure what you mean by stretched sideways. If the DVD plays back fine then it can only be in one of two formats to appear distorted. It is either 16:9, or half-D1.

A simple way to test. Open the mpeg in virtualdubmpeg2 (that latest version, I assume), right-click on the preview window and choose 4:3. If the image looks OK, it is half-D1. if it doesn't, right-click again and choose 16:9. If the image becomes wider, but everyone it in looks normal, then is is 16:9.

For half-d1, go Video -> Filters. Add the Resize filter and set the size to 720 x 480 (576 if it is PAL). You can now save it out as a DV avi file.

If it is 16:9 then it is a little more complicated.

Video -> Filters. Add a Null Transform filter and click OK. You can now press the Cropping button at the bottom of the filter sheet. Set the y1 and y2 offset values to 60 each (72 if it is PAL). Click OK, then OK again to close the filter sheet.

Again, video -> filters. This time Ad the Resize filter. Set the New Width to 720, and New Height to 360 (432 for PAL). Tick Expand Frame and Letterbox Image and enter 720 and 480 (576 for PAL) for Width and Height. Again, save out as a DV avi.

Note : if it is 16:9 you will have to have letterboxing (black bars) to make it look right on a 4:3 display. However DV does support 16:9, so it depends on what you are going to do next as to which is best.

[joy]

First you need the panasonic DV codec installed so virtualdubmpeg2 can create a DV avi for you.

Not sure what you mean by stretched sideways. If the DVD plays back fine then it can only be in one of two formats to appear distorted. It is either 16:9, or half-D1.

A simple way to test. Open the mpeg in virtualdubmpeg2 (that latest version, I assume), right-click on the preview window and choose 4:3. If the image looks OK, it is half-D1. if it doesn't, right-click again and choose 16:9. If the image becomes wider, but everyone it in looks normal, then is is 16:9.

image looks ok after choosing 4:3 so i thinks this is half-D1

For half-d1, go Video -> Filters. Add the Resize filter and set the size to 720 x 480 (576 if it is PAL). You can now save it out as a DV avi file.

i did add the filter earlier but my filter was set to 640 x 480 which is a mistake then that's why the resulting avi looks strange.

anyway, thanks a lot gunslinger. you helped me solved another problem again.

[guns1inger]

You can't save a DV avi as 640 x 480 anyway, as DV only respects full D1 resolution.