Total Video Converter from WMV to MPG aspect wrong

[bobarnett]

Using Total Video Converter, I've been trying to convert a WMV file to an MPG for use in making a DVD to watch on TV. Unfortunately, the MPG results don't play properly on my PC or on my DVD Player (when burned to disc). They all come out square with everything squished together to fit. TVC doesn't explain the various "profiles" they offer for MPG conversion so I've tried about a half dozen of them all with the same results. Can anyone direct me to some sort of guide that can walk me through the process of converting a WMV to an MPG with the proper aspect? (Maybe with some sort of comparison of the "profiles"?) Maybe there's someplace in VideoHelp.com that has this but I couldn't find it.

[Baldrick]

Use AVStoDVD!

[bobarnett]

I would be glad to try AVStoDVD but I see a comment that there is some problem with it under Windows 7. Being such a novice, I'm a bit leery of entering into other problems to solve. Any comment on the problem?

[DB83]

Well if you want help

1. Give us the dimensions of your source video
2. Tell us the information that the program gives you about the mpeg profiles

You have been around here a long time - longer than me - so you should know by now a little about video.

[bobarnett]

Thanks for the kind words but just because I joined in 2005 doesn't mean I've paid that much attention until I've had a problem. Since I've kept my skills to a rather simple level, I will have to decline the compliment.
I tried the AVStoDVD which produced VOBs but on my computer they again are squared & squished like all the other coverted files I've produced. I wiish I could upload the WMV but it's over 500mb and my connection is Hughes.net which punishes us severely if we go over their 500mb limit in 24 hours.

[Guest34343]

Can't you answer the two simple questions that DB83 asked you?

[bobarnett]

Yes and no.
I have no idea what is meant by "dimensions of your source video"
The mpeg profiles are listed as:
HD Video 1080P: MPEG2, 5000 kbps, 29.97 fps; Audio: 256 kbps
DVD NTSC compatible (MPEG2, 4000 kbps, 29.97 fps, 720*480)
DVD PAL compatible (MPEG2, 4000 kbps, 25 fps, 720*576)
SVCD NTSC compatible (MPEG2, 2376 kbps, 29.97 fps, 480*480)
SVCD PAL compatible (MPEG2, 2376 kbps, 25 fps, 480*576)
VCD NTSC compatible (MPEG1, 1150 kbps, 29.97 fps, 352*240)
MPEG Video: MPEG1, 1150 kbps, 29.97 fps, Original frame size; Audio: 224 kbps
MPEG Video: MPEG2, 2376 kbps, 29.97 fps, Original frame size; Audio: 224 kbps
MPG Video: MPEG1, 1150 kbps, 29.97 fps, Original frame size; Audio: 224 kbps
MPG Video: MPEG2, 2376 kbps, 29.97 fps, Original frame size; Audio: 224 kbps
[Custom MPEG]
Epson - P3000/5000 - (MPEG1, 2000 kbps, 30 fps, 720*480)
Epson - P3000/5000 - (MPEG2, 2000 kbps, 30 fps, 720*480)
For Adobe Premiere
For NTSC DVD-Video Burner or Creator
For PAL DVD-Video Burner or Creator

and as an aside, I'm sorry to report that the "tone" of neuron2's comment is one reason why I am reluctant to even participate in these forums. No one likes to be talked down to.

[poisondeathray]

1) Does the source WMV play correctly on the PC ? (eg. circles look like circles, not ovals and stretched or squished) ?

2) You need to determine the AR of the source video, the frame dimensions, if there are any borders (letterbox or pillarbox) in the actual encoded video (not generated by the software playing the video) .

Mediainfo (view=>text) can provide some of the information, but provides nothing about the actual contents (e.g. it can't tell if black borders have been encoded in)

If you cannot provide this information, you can cut a small sample with asfbin and upload it to this website.

[_MrC_]

I tried the AVStoDVD which produced VOBs but on my computer they again are squared & squished like all the other coverted files I've produced.

Could you post here (copy & paste) the AVStoDVD project log file? It contain useful info on source file, encoding process and output mpeg file.



Bye

[Guest34343]

and as an aside, I'm sorry to report that the "tone" of neuron2's comment is one reason why I am reluctant to even participate in these forums. No one likes to be talked down to.

If the "tone" of that comment (which I thought was quite gentle) irritates you so much, the thickness of your skin must be measured in microns. Methinks you read into my comment things that are not there.

[DB83]

I am always full of compliments.

We ARE trying to help you but you do appear rather fragile to any remarks personal or otherwise.

To recap what has been said since my first reply:

You have been asked for the dimensions of the video. That is usually expressed as pixels ie 640(horizontal)*480(vertical)
AR is the 'aspect ratio'. That is expressed such as 4:3,16:9

mediainfo will give us something to work on. A sample of the video will also help

Now if you are creating a DVD then it would be one of either profile 2 - DVD NTSC or 3 - DVD PAL that you should select.

With avstodvd you may not even have to convert. But _MrC_ can offer more help in that direction.

One final question. What program are you actually using to create the DVD ?

[bobarnett]

Attached is the resulting file from mediainfo. I see it shows the aspect ratio 3:2 which seems odd to me. Is that some sort of Windows Movie Maker standard? The AVStoDVD project log file is at home and I am now at work. I'll try to find and upload that when I get home. I only have made a DVD out of the first mpg that Total Video Converter produced and since I didn't want to waste any more discs I've only been viewing the resulting file by watching it on my PC (Windows Media Player). I'm sorry, I've forgotten the name of the program that takes the mpg, does something with it and then burns it using ImgBurn. Once again, I'll check on that software when I get home. That's where I do my video stuff.
I'll also try the DVD NTSC profile that was suggested and see if that will work.
Ok, until I get more info at home, I think I've answered all pertinent questions except about the "thickness of my skin". I'll try and run my skin through the DERMATUFF converter and see if that works.

[jagabo]

I see it shows the aspect ratio 3:2 which seems odd to me. Is that some sort of Windows Movie Maker standard?

720x480 is the standard frame size for NTSC DVD, DV, analog capture cards, broadcast TV, etc. In all likelihood your video was incorrectly encoded as "square pixel" so it is played with a 3:2 display aspect ratio (same as the frame size aspect ratio). Probably all you have to do is convince your encoding software that the video is 16:9 DAR, not square pixel.

[_MrC_]

I see it shows the aspect ratio 3:2 which seems odd to me. Is that some sort of Windows Movie Maker standard?

720x480 is the standard frame size for NTSC DVD, DV, analog capture cards, broadcast TV, etc. In all likelihood your video was incorrectly encoded as "square pixel" so it is played with a 3:2 display aspect ratio (same as the frame size aspect ratio). Probably all you have to do is convince your encoding software that the video is 16:9 DAR, not square pixel.

Very easy indeed:

1. Load the wmv into AVStoDVD
2. Select 'Title'/'Edit Source Title Info'/'Video Display Aspect Ratio'
3. Change it from 1.5 to 1.333 (for 4:3) or 1.778 (for 16:9)
4. Start the project



Bye

[bobarnett]

I may be thin-skinned but I'm certainly thick-headed. I finally realized, when _MrC_ mentioned the two ratios, that I really needed to use the 16:9 aspect, not the 4:3 aspect. Well, duh! Once I changed that setting and coverted the wmv, it is now playing just fine.
Thanks to everyone for your input.
ps The name of the program I'm using to create the DVD is SVCD2DVD.

[DB83]

Whist I am glad to read that you have solved your problem, I do wonder whether that is by accident or design.

You never stated what profile you used for total video converter - _MrC_ clearly stated that, I as previously eluded, you probably did not need that additional process.

It was also jagabo who first hinted about the 16:9 bit. The only clue he had was the fact that the converted video looked odd just like it dies with anamorphic widescreen before the player should do the correction.

But you were using the WRONG tool to create the dvd in the first place. If you created a SVCD from the wmv it may work. Anything else then who knows. Just check the specs of your converted mpg to those of an SVCD and also play you converted mpg. If you do not know what the specs of a SVCD are then check profiles 4 and 5 from your list.

[bobarnett]

At first I only created one DVD all the rest of the mpgs I produced I was only viewing on my pc using Windows Media Player and since the ratio was "off" on all of them, I didn't actually burn dvds from them.
I used about six different profiles in total video converter to make the mpg
DVD NTSC compatible (MPEG2, 4000 kbps, 29.97 fps, 720*480)
MPEG Video: MPEG1, 1150 kbps, 29.97 fps, Original frame size; Audio: 224 kbps
MPEG Video: MPEG2, 2376 kbps, 29.97 fps, Original frame size; Audio: 224 kbps
MPG Video: MPEG1, 1150 kbps, 29.97 fps, Original frame size; Audio: 224 kbps
MPG Video: MPEG2, 2376 kbps, 29.97 fps, Original frame size; Audio: 224 kbps
For NTSC DVD-Video Burner or Creator

I am obviously not getting something. I don't understand how I would have gone straight from the wmv to the dvd without using total video converter... if that is what is being said.

[DB83]

It's like coffee. Try it. If it is not to your taste you do not have to try it again.

The WHOLE point of this software is that it DOES accept videos in different formats before creating the dvd. Others will choke if the video is not dvd-compliant to start with.

SVCD is a half-way format between VCD 352*240 for NTSC (mpeg1) and full-dvd 720*480 for NTSC (mpeg2). You end up with 480*480 for NTSC (mpeg2). And if your source was 720*480 you still wonder why it appeared squashed ?

It also has a low bit-rate. So while you can make a dvd from that it will not be so good as from a fully-compliant mpeg2

Now your wmv source appears to have a high bit rate so should not suffer when going straight to dvd using this program.

[bobarnett]

Ok. Thanks for the info... I think I got it.
Until next time... thank you (and all), again.