Viewing HD 16:9 in Windows Media Player 11?

C

charlesme

Member
I have a question about viewing HD footage in 16:9 format in Window Media Player, v. 11. When I download my 1080 HD files and play them in WMP 11, it has been squeezing the image to a 4:3 image. However, the images play in 16:9 format in the Panasonic P2 software.

My question is this:

Is there a setting in WMP 11 to view HD footage in wide format that I have been overlooking?

Incidentally, I have been downloading my raw .mxf files on to plain old 4.7 GB dvds for archiving. After I download, the only software I can currently play back on is Windows Media Player. So, any advice on how to get WMP to play in 16:9 would be helpful.

Thanks in advance.
 
You say "HD footage", but exactly what format is it in? WMP 10 and later have support for non-square pixels, but this must be indicated in the header of the container format. If the flag is not set, there is no way to force WMP to display it 16:9.
 
I have been shooting with an HVX, in both 1080 i and 1080 progressive. If you can elaborate more about setting either the camera or WMP 11 to read my files for playback, it would be helpful.
 
Are you talking about AVI files, WMV files, or what? What program do you use to create the files?
 
As I said in my original query, the files are .mxf files created in the HVX's P2 card and simply downloaded as raw files to my hard drive. They have not been edited into anything. They are simply .mxf files.

If there is a "flag" setting in the camera so that Window Media Player can play these .mxf files as widescreen 16:9 instead of a squeezed image, that would be a helpful thing to know about.

Incidentally, if it makes a difference, the images play in full screen, 16:9, using the P2 Viewer software.

My observation is that the P2 Software can only play from a loaded P2 card inserted in my laptop. Once I have downloaded the .mxf files to my hard drive or a DVD, I don't think it's possible to play the files from the P2 Viewer software.

I am just interested in playing the raw .mxf files back from either a hard drive or a burned DVD in 16:9. As I said, the raw .mxf files play back well enough from a DVD or a hard drive, though they only playback in squeezed 4:3.
 
WMP doesn't support non-square pixels in MXF files, in fact it balks at MXF files themselves and gives you a warning that it is an unrecognized format.

You may want to try Media Player Classic or another program that lets you force the aspect ratio.
 
Ok, that's useful information and I will look into it. Just as I said, WMP 11 does play .mxf files, but I can't find any way to change the aspect ratio. I will also look at the camera settings, too.

If there any other thoughts, it would be appreciated. Not a crucial thing tho, I am just in the testing phase with this camera and have been very impressed with its performance. My previous experience was with a Sony DSR 300 and this is new territory, but so far I am enjoying it immensely. And the HVX weighs 2/3 less, at least.
 
Assuming you're shooting in HD on the HVX there are no additional settings to change. This issue is with WMP 11. If you find the solution please post it.

The typical workflow is to import these mxf files into a video editing program. Then you can view the files and if you want to export them to Quicktime or Windows Media you can. The editing program will insert the correct flags for 16x9.
 
charlesme said:
Once I have downloaded the .mxf files to my hard drive or a DVD, I don't think it's possible to play the files from the P2 Viewer software.
Click to expand...
All you need to do in this case is created a Virtual P2 Card for the directory where the CONTENTS folder and LASTCLIP file reside:

Tool -> Setting Virtual P2 Cards -> Entry Virtual P2 Card (the leftmost icon in the toolbar)

After you have done that, you can go to the View menu and select the Virtual P2 Card into either the Primary or Secondary Bin.
 
THoff said:
WMP doesn't support non-square pixels in MXF files, in fact it balks at MXF files themselves and gives you a warning that it is an unrecognized format.

You may want to try Media Player Classic or another program that lets you force the aspect ratio.
Click to expand...

Yup, I do this too for quick checks, it plays back better than the p2 viewer.
Just type mplayer2.exe from the run command thing.

As ThEhOfF just said copy you're whole P2 files structure if you want to use the P2 viewer on HD content.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top