Problem with Aspect Ratio

[Evolved]

I currently use the Panasonic HPX170 and film in 720p/24pN or sometimes 1080i/24p.

I do not have any professional editing software yet, and I recently sold my iMac and no longer have access to Final Cut Studio 3 as I used to.

I have to use Windows Movie Maker for now, however, my issue is that any footage I have always comes up in the 4:3 aspect ratio (with black bars on both left and right sides).

The files are (.MXF) and I basically use a software to convert to what ever format I want.

But I can't get the footage to be 16:9 aspect ratio. I definitely want to achieve the "film look."

If anybody here could please help me, I would greatly appreciate it!


P.S. Which is format is best to film in? 720p/24pN (or just p), 1080i/24pA (or just P) and what's the difference between these formats?



Thank you,


Evolved

[David Jimerson]

It's a pixel aspect ratio issue. What are you converting it with, and what settings do you use to do it?