Which Video Conversion Programs allow for Custom Aspect Ratio?

[Dart77]

Hi -- I am looking for a video format conversion program that allows you to enter your own custom aspect ratio. I know this sounds easy, but all of the ones I have seen only have the standard set ratios (eg 16:9, 4:3 etc). I have a heap of avi files with distorted AR's (far too slim) that I am converting to mp4 and have been using Cloud Convert (from Munich, De, I think). This is OK. but I want to be able to set my own ratio sometimes. Does anyone know of a conversion software that can do this? I have looked at many programs like Prism (NCH Software) and Movavi but they all just resort back to the standard ratios. Even if you can put your own number for pixels in for one side, the program will alter the next number to suit a common AR.

I want to be able to put in whatever I like, eg 16:5 or 20:7 so I can customise each file to get the final AR I like.

By the Way, I have spent over an hour searching this forum for custom aspect ratio but cannot find what I want. I know there is a simple program which changes just AR but I am looking for a video format converter which also has custom AR capability, not just the standard ones (16:9. 14:9, 4:3) etc.

Thanks.

[DB83]

The 'simplest' would be ffmpeg which allows you to set a custom AR.

Normally this is command-line but the following takes the 'pain' out of the process


https://www.videohelp.com/software/clever-FFmpeg-GUI


However you might also wish to explore as to why you have these odd AR's. It may even be simpler to add borders to your existing file in a program such as avidemux and thus create standard AR files.


But if these ARs are wrong (video does not look right) you would be better off with a combination of borders and resize.


One tool may not fit every situation.


Uploading one of the 'odd' files or at the very least a mediainfo (text mode) report of it might also assist.

[ProWo]

You can use clever Ffmpeg-GUI.

[Dart77]

You can use clever Ffmpeg-GUI.

Thanks, the guy above, DB83 also suggested that.

[Dart77]

The 'simplest' would be ffmpeg which allows you to set a custom AR.

Normally this is command-line but the following ..... might also assist.

Thanks DB83, for the good helpful reply. I am not experienced in this so adding borders is new to me. I will look at these options you suggested

I want to convert them to a more usable MP4 anyway for processing and rendering so I would like a format conversion program that does both. Cloud Convert works well sometimes when choosing 16:9 but sometimes it's not enough width (the resulting image is still too slim). I'm only using Video Pad for final render of the mp4, which is limited, but I know it well and it's stable in Win 7.

Actually, a video edit program that can also custom change the AR of the input file in the output render would be just great - but not sure if that's possible in affordable home software.

[hello_hello]

MPEG4-Modifier lets you set a custom DAR or PAR for AVIs containing mpeg4 video (Xvid etc) without re-encoding. It should be supported by software players. Hardware players... maybe.... but I have no idea if programs like VideoPad would support AVI aspect ratios when using them as the input file.

Personally I'd just resize the video to the correct display aspect ratio with a 1:1 PAR, if I was re-encoding anyway.
Instead of setting a PAR while encoding, does VideoPad let you resize freely? By that, I mean if you have an AVI with 16:9 dimensions and you think it should display as 2.35, can't you just resize to 2.35 dimensions (720x306 as an example) and re-encode it that way without setting a PAR, or with a 1:1 PAR?

[Dart77]

MPEG4-Modifier lets you set a custom DAR or PAR for AVIs containing mpeg4 video (Xvid etc) without re-encoding. It should be supported by software players. Hardware players... maybe.... but I have no idea if programs like VideoPad would support AVI aspect ratios when using them as the input file.

Personally I'd just resize the video to the correct display aspect ratio with a 1:1 PAR, if I was re-encoding anyway.
Instead of setting a PAR while encoding, does VideoPad let you resize freely? By that, I mean if you have an AVI with 16:9 dimensions and you think it should display as 2.35, can't you just resize to 2.35 dimensions (720x306 as an example) and re-encode it that way without setting a PAR, or with a 1:1 PAR?

Thanks for those helpful links, I should be able to work it out with them. VideoPad looks like it only gives options for screen resolutions, which only results in the display screen changing to set formats, but the actual video image stays the same AR (remains unchanged), so you end up with just more black space either side of the image.

[Alwyn]

Actually, a video edit program that can also custom change the AR of the input file in the output render would be just great - but not sure if that's possible in affordable home software.

Movie Edit Pro will do this. You can set any custom resolution for the movie settings and stretch/squash any video to the "proper" AR, then export to MP4.

1920x1080 Movie:

[Attachment 63163 - Click to enlarge]

Video stretched:

[Attachment 63164 - Click to enlarge]

1000x1000 movie:

[Attachment 63165 - Click to enlarge]
There is a trial and helpful forum.

[Dart77]

Alwyn thanks for that lead and the screen shots, that looks really good and can even see the preview of the effect of the dimensions. I'll definitely sus that out. I see there is "Magix" in the top left of the page shot, I assume that's the name of that particular version of Movie Edit Pro. Will check it out now, Ta!

Edit: Just looked, Magix is the company. Just downloaded the trial.

[Alwyn]

Dart, yes, that is Magix Movie Edit Pro Premium version 2021. The current version is 2022. You'll have to check the difference between the standard, Plus and Premium versions (from memory, the trial is a combo of the three) but will have the Size and Position feature you're after. There is currently a bug in the "section" feature (cropping) of version 2022 but that is being worked on, we believe.

[johns0]

Vidcoder is the easiest one to use to change any aspect ration.

[Dart77]

Dart, yes, that is Magix Movie Edit Pro Premium version 2021. The current version is 2022. You'll have to check the difference between the standard, Plus and Premium versions (from memory, the trial is a combo of the three) but will have the Size and Position feature you're after. There is currently a bug in the "section" feature (cropping) of version 2022 but that is being worked on, we believe.

Thanks for that info Alwyn. I will get it going tonight and check it out when I have a bit more time.

[Dart77]

Vidcoder is the easiest one to use to change any aspect ration.

Johns, Thanks for that, I have downloaded it and had a quick view -- looks interesting. Will look in more depth tonight!

[Dart77]

Dart, yes, that is Magix Movie Edit Pro Premium version 2021. The current version is 2022. You'll have to check the difference between the standard, Plus and Premium versions (from memory, the trial is a combo of the three) but will have the Size and Position feature you're after. There is currently a bug in the "section" feature (cropping) of version 2022 but that is being worked on, we believe.

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