Need to keep 16:9 in WMEnc

[yukon33]

Hi

I have followed this excellent guide by Baldrick on operating Windows Media Encoder:-

https://forum.videohelp.com/topic244268.html

However my AVI file [DV export from Avid Liquid] is 16:9 format, and I cannot see anything in the guide about maintaining 16:9 after encoding [currently the image is squeezed into 4:3 and is badly enlongated].

I have experimented a little today in the 'Video Size' option while setting up the encoder, including entering 720 x 576 [which my AVI is] as my 'output size'... but still the results are a squeezed 4:3 picture when I play the file in WMP.

I do not quite understand how the 'Cropping' option works... is this what I should look at, or is it down to choosing the correct 'video output size' to maintain my 16:9 picture? Or both?

In case of query why I am using WMEnc to convert AVI instead of directly from Avid Liquid, I have found that encoding by WMEnc provides files with the most universal compatibility with different machines which may download my file from website.

Thank you for any help in maintaining my 16:9 aspect ratio through WMEnc.

[poisondeathray]

What are the dimensions of the original .avi? e.g. 720x400 would give you approximately 16:9 (or 1.7778 DAR), using square pixels

720x576 is 5:4 ratio if you are using square pixels (you can check the settings in WME, square pixels is default)

If you need to keep the PAL frame size of 720x576, yet want to keep 16:9 DAR, you need to add black borders to the top and bottom (576-400)/2 = 88. So 88/2 = 44 pixels to the top and bottom

It would be easier to use the original dimensions if they were already 16:9 with square pixels

[yukon33]

Thanks for your reply.

Avid Liquid timeline properties tells me I am working in PAL 720 x 576 16:9 NON-square pixels [footage is SD].

The other 16:9 sizes available as SQUARE PIXELS are as follows:-

1280 x 720 16:9
1920 x 1080 16:9
1024 x 576 16:9
864 x 486 16:9

I am wanting to avoid actually removing any of the picture at all from top or bottom, hoping to achieve a straightforward 'percentage reduction' in the size of my original 16:9 AVI to appear as a smaller [or the same] size of 16:9 picture after encoding with WME.

Bit green on this still, not sure what DAR is?

Is a simple reduction of my 16:9 picture possible within WME, or do I need to make frame size adjustments to my source material while still within my Avid Liquid editor [to account for any limited resizing flexibility within WME]?.

[poisondeathray]

DAR = display aspect ratio. Some containers and formats can specify displaying different aspect ratios, despite the frame dimensions. Note not all software players will accept the flags and display it properly

Since you are not confined to specific frame sizes (e.g. you might have needed to preserve PAL dimensions for some reason), the easiest way in your case is just to output a square pixel, proper 16:9 frame size video such as the ones you listed - this will play with the intended aspect ratio in all players.

For WME settings:
In the sources tab, select source from file & select location

In the output tab, checkmark archive to file

In the compression tab, select "file archive" from the destination drop down menu; when you push edit it will give you additional settings. Configure these as you see fit. Make sure you checkmark "video size same as input" in the 2nd tab - this will retain the square pixels and frame size, therefore forcing 16:9 aspect ratio (the same as your output from avid)

[yukon33]

the easiest way in your case is just to output a square pixel, proper 16:9 frame size video such as the ones you listed - this will play with the intended aspect ratio in all players.

I have just done a test within Avid Liquid on a small piece of the footage, changing the timeline properties to 864 x 486 16:9 SQUARE pixels [the nearest to my usual working 16:9 size]. Then another at 1024 x 576 16:9 SQUARE pixels for good measure. Before even looking at the WME conversion process, opening both these AVI files in WMP now plays the picture at an incorrect squeezed-in 4:3 to start with.

So unless you have any other ideas, seems simply exporting AVI from Avid Liquid with square pixels will not solve my problem?

Thank you for any further suggestions.

[poisondeathray]

I'm not familiar with Avid, so I can't suggest anything for settings for that product, but I suspect the problem might be with Avid. Are you able to manually select a different size? (e.g. 848x480 or 720x400 - these would be mod16 resolutions - ie. divisible evenly by 16 which gives the least amount of hassle with most programs. Your previous choices were not mod16)

What happens if you play the exported 16:9 product on a different player, such as VLC, Mplayer, or MPC? (WMP doesn't always honor all DAR flags, but a 16:9 frame size, square pixel video should work property)

[Safesurfer]

This Microsoft Windows Media article may help.

Determining the Shape of Pixels and Frames

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/howto/articles/PixelFrames.aspx

[poisondeathray]

Good idea Safesurfer, use non square pixels. But I'm curious as to why he can't display a 16:9 frame square pixel video? In theory that should be the easiest/most compatible solution.