black edges in my mpeg-1

[mbcookman]

Looking at FF instead of cleaner as we are testing a mactel machine.
I want to create an mpeg-1 that is faithfull to the .mov source image; It seems to create a black bar left and right; see my .png image (note the top and bottom "letter box" is as the original.
I searched and found someone explained the same problem as myself some time ago:
https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?p=1067486&highlight=black+edge+left+right#1067486

Youre suggestion would be appreciated.
thanks
Mark

[Case]

Do you want a VCD-compatible MPEG-1 (ready for tv playback, thus 4:3 aspect ratio), or a generic MPEG-1 for computer/web playback? Do you want the letterbox to stay? What is the frame size and framerate of your source movie?

[mbcookman]

My source video is PAL 720 x 576 at 25 fps (D1 shaped pixels)
I want a generic mpeg-1 for PC playback by non techy clients.
I do want to keep the mpeg same as my source -- letter box stays.

thanks for your interest
Mark

[Case]

Set ffmpegX to a VCD preset, then change some settings, so that it is no longer VCD compliant, but square pixel generic MPEG-1.
In the Summary tab, pick either VCD mpeg2enc or VCD ffmpeg. In the Video tab, set the Video Size width (multiples of 16), then set Autosize to 4:3, which will fill in the height. (E.g. 320x240)
For VCD mpeg2enc, in the Options tab, do not Letterbox and do not use Decode with Quicktime (the latter will change the aspect ratio for playback in QTP). Decode with mplayer or ffmpeg is fine. Set Profile to Generic MPEG-1.
For VCD ffmpeg, in the Options tab, do not Letterbox, but feel free to use the other options. Encoding profile can stay at VCD.
These settings did it right on my test file (DVD source), but only tested with Mac players.

[mbcookman]

Thanks much for that advice ...I need some more
Everything is set as you recommend but I can only get 320 * 240 video even though the summary box is saying 352 * 288

[Cornucopia]

720x576 source video (PAL) is 4:3.

What you've got ending up with looks to be 4:3 also (it has what looks to be a perfect circle). I wouldn't worry.
Note: QT Player OFTEN inadvertantly reports what it estimates as the equivalent SQUAREPIXEL dimensions to what is in fact truly non-squarepixel (like 352x288PAL or 352x240NTSC). It does do a resize to show it with equivalent SquarePixel AR, so all should be well.

Scott

[mbcookman]

I have measured my resulting mpegs in after effects and its always 320*240
I cant seem to get a 352 * 288 result however I try.
The following spec is what clients ask me for -- I assume D1 shaped pixels but maybe I should ask them (...bound to cause LOTS of confusion their end


Format: MPEG-1


Video

size: 352x288

frame rate: 25fps

Bitrate: 3000kbps



Audio:

Stereo - Layer-2

Sampling Frequency: 44100Hz

Bitrate: 256kbps