Conversion to allow 16:9 on google video. Anyone know how to do it?

[funperro]

When uploading my videos to google video that were recorded on my camcorder in 16:9 mode, they get converted to a squashed 4:3 aspect ratio that includes the black pillars on the right and left sides of the screen. When playing the movie clips on my computer, I always see the correct widescreen format displayed. I'd like to upload my 16:9 clips to google video and still retain their aspect ratio. Does anyone have any experience in doing this? I'm a bigtime noob when it comes to video conversion, so if you know of a method I'd appreciate it if you'd include the name of the software you'd suggest I should use... Thanks

A 16:9 clip uploaded and squashed to 4:3 by google:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2215290547107671756&hl=en

A 16:9 clip on google video showing that google video can accept 16:9 videos:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2376568701388728852

Thanks

[aedipuss]

re-encode your clips to 16/9 encoded as 4:3 with black borders top and bottom. since google will "see" them as 4:3 they will stay the same as you upload them. use whatever encoder you have but change the setting to 4:3 "keep aspect ratio" or whatever the encoder uses for that terminology.

[funperro]

aedipuss -

Thanks for your quick reply. If I understand your suggestion correctly, I will be adding the black bars on the top and bottom intentionally. Is that correct? I'd like to avoid any of the black bars (on the side or on the top or bottom) just like they have done on the example I linked in the first post. If your suggestion will do away with the black bars upon uploading to google, then my apologies. If you could, let me know if that would be the case...

Thanks!

[aedipuss]

no my way encodes permanent black bars but prevents the google conversion from going wrong.

[funperro]

Ok. So I have one suggestion which would retain you 16:9 aspect ratio. In order to make it work, black bars need to be added at the top and bottom of the video clip. Does anyone have any further suggestions to help me get 16:9 but without the black bars?

Thanks!

[aedipuss]

have you tried encoding to google specs? that way it might not be re-encoded to 4:3.

mpeg4 with mp3 vbr audio.

[funperro]

aedipuss -

Thanks thanks thanks thankyou!

Update: I tried your latest suggestion and was pleasantly surprised with a google video that retained the 16:9 aspect ratio! I converted to google specs, like you suggested, using mpeg4 with mp3 vbr audio.
See the video here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8686793723365454077&hl=en

However, consider me picky: the video has borders all the way around. I'd like to still get to the same result shown in the example I linked to in the OP. Do you or does anyone else have any other suggestions?

Thanks again -