Aspect ratio

[baduncan]

I'm converting a DivX 5.01 movie, 640x272, 23.976 fps to VCD for playback on a NTSC TV. My TMPGEnc settings are size: 352x240, 23.976 fps, and Aspect ratio of 4:3 525 line (NTSC). The final result is stretched from top to bottom; people look elongated, in other words. How do I convert a source file of this type so that it fits in a standard TV screen but retains its natural proportions? Thanks!

[Vejita-sama]

Click on settings, then the advance tab. Set the source to 1:1 VGA, keep the output as 4:3 TV, then set video arrage method to 'full screen keep aspect ratio.'

TMPGenc should then center the video and add black bars at the top/bottom as necessary.

[baduncan]

Thanks, that worked beautifully!

[Vejita-sama]

No problem, you might want to read up of Display Aspec Ratios (DAR) and how anamorphic DVDs work (here or at doom9.org under the basics).

Summary: There are three DARs that you're likely to care about.

1:1 for PC video
4:3 for standard TV
16:9 for widescreen TVs & film

However, under the general term 16:9 you have
1.77:1 widescreen and HDTV
1.85:1 academy flat
2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen