Best way to convert 720p footage to 480p?

[Mysteriouskk]

If I have a avi, divx, etc file, what is the best way to convert from 720p to 480p?

Because 1280x720 --> 720x480, doesn't really scale correctly. Is there some way I can scale 1280x720 to 720x480?

Does that mean I have to cut some footage off or make a bars on top and bottom? How do I do that?

[johns0]

You would make bars.1280x720=720x405+38,38,so you would need to add 36 pixel bars horizontally.You will need to re-encode.

[manono]

Because 1280x720 --> 720x480, doesn't really scale correctly. Is there some way I can scale 1280x720 to 720x480?

I'll assume you're converting for DVD. It really does scale correctly. 1280x720 is 16:9. Do a straight resize to 720x480 and encode for 16:9.

720p sources are 59.94fps, as I'm sure you know. Unless the duplicate frames were removed before you got it, you'll also have to get it down to 29.97fps or (better, if possible - if it's a movie) 23.976fps.

[johns0]

If the avi is a proper 1280x720 then it will scale to 720x480 but if it was done improperly like lots of avi are done then you will need to add borders.