Strange aspect ratio for MPEG-2 files

[KMLooi]

When playing various downloaded MPEG-2 files either using my RealMagic Hollywood Plus card's player or Windows Media Player (using the Elecard codec), the video is displayed in a square window (ie 1:1 aspect ratio rather than 4:3 or similar). At least with the Hollywood Plus player I can adjust the aspect ratio by hand but not in WMP.

What am I missing here? I'm running WinMe and WMP 7.01.

Thanks,
Ming.

[adam]

This is happening because your software players are simply media players, not SVCD players. If you play these same movies in a svcd compatible software dvd player it will display them in their correct aspect ratio, as they would be played on a tv.

Try getting WinDVD, PowerDVD, or if you need a free program SthDVD.

[KMLooi]

Ah, right, I see, thanks very much indeed.

Ming.