How to convert 4:3 letterboxed DVD to 16:9 video file?

[abw1987]

I've downloaded a DVD that someone must've recorded off of their TV, probably a 16:9 broadcast, recorded onto 4:3 format. So what I've got is a bunch of 4:3 .VOBs containing a 16:9 video with letterboxing above and below. I would like to convert this to a 16:9 video, with the letterboxing removed, and then chop the video into segments.

Now, the first problem is removing the letterboxing. So far I've tried VirtualDubMod and a bunch of stupid free DVD converter software.

The second problem is chopping the video into segments. See, the DVD is of a concert, and I'd like to separate the songs into separate files. I can do this using Windows Live Movie Maker, but whenever I try to use a song that runs from the end of one VOB into the beginning of the next VOB, I end up with an ugly gap inbetween. So I guess I'd need to first convert the entire DVD to a single file of some workable format, keeping the same quality, and then use that to chop up the songs. I do have the DivX Converter, which would probably solve that problem. But still, I'm open to suggestions.

Any ideas of what I could use for either problem?

[slobadaca]

For croping video to 16:9 use Sony Vegas.

[MysticE]

Is this a complete, playable DVD with all the associated files (IFOs etc.)?

[abw1987]

Having a tough time doing it with Sony Vegas. I'm ending up with a Windowboxed 16:9 video.

Is this a complete, playable DVD with all the associated files (IFOs etc.)?

Yes, IFOs, BUPs, VOBs and all.

I don't need to output it as a playable DVD, though. I just need some sort of continuous file that I can later cut up. (Although, it looks like I may be able to do the cutting in Vegas.)

[creamyhorror]

Having a tough time doing it with Sony Vegas. I'm ending up with a Windowboxed 16:9 video.

Aren't you using the cropping tool in Vegas? And did you select the right output resolution/framesize? I'm not a Vegas user, but what you want to do should be very simple to achieve.

[MysticE]

Having a tough time doing it with Sony Vegas. I'm ending up with a Windowboxed 16:9 video.

Is this a complete, playable DVD with all the associated files (IFOs etc.)?

Yes, IFOs, BUPs, VOBs and all.

I don't need to output it as a playable DVD, though. I just need some sort of continuous file that I can later cut up. (Although, it looks like I may be able to do the cutting in Vegas.)

Try VOB2MPG to make one large file. You can then use AVStoDVD (free) to convert to 16:9 (choose Hcenc for your encoder). Under Edit=> Video, Untick Auto Video Setup and choose 16:9. You can preview to see if it looks right (it usually does). You can also manually tweak if need be. You can save as elementary streams for output and use one of the many free authoring tools to finish the job.

[abw1987]

Success!

I actually first cropped the DVD using DVD Rebuilder (which I discovered through some forum searching), and then used VOB2MPEG as suggested to get it all into one file.

Thanks to all who helped.