Outputting to DVD 4:3 and 16:9

L

lukehumphrey

Active member
It seems when I rent a video at blockbuster I can play it on either my 16:9 tv or my old 4:3 tv. Do I need to do anything special to make this appen on my DvDs? I use Avid Xpress Pro, Sorensen Squeeze, Sonic ReelDVD LE.
 
In Squeeze, there's an option to specify the MPEG-2 encode to be either 4:3 or 16:9 depending on what your footage actually is. That option sets a flag within the MPEG-2 stream that a DVD player reads and then adjusts the output to correctly display it based on whether the owner of said DVD player hooked it up (correctly) to a 4:3 or 16:9 TV.

So essentially, just finish your workflow and you'll be set.
 
I exported my 4x3 footage as 4x3 and burned it to a dv as 4x3. When i watched it on my 16x9 tv is stretched it to cover the full 16x9 area. I was expecting to see two black areas on either horizontal side as to maintain its true 4:3 aspect ratio - i'd rather see that then have my footage stretched. Any ideas?
 
That has to do with the TV and DVD player settings, not with your disk. Depending on the brands and models of your TV and DVD player they will have different menu settings. That could be an option on your TV to stretch the image to fit. I'd look at your hardware to try to figure it out.
 
Ok thanks. I noticed also when outputting from Avid i have 3 options for aspect ratios: 4:3 (640x480), 16:9 (853x480), and a 3rd option: DV (720x480). I shot my footage using a dvx100a (no anamorphic adapter), which one should I choose? Aren't the only tv options 4:3 and 16:9? When would someone use the DV option (720x480)?
 
I always export 720 x 480 because that's what DV is. That's also the resolution of DVDs, so it makes sense to stay in that resolution. If you export as 640 x 480, and then encode to a 720 x 480 DVD you're changing the size of the footage extra times which is probably decreasing your quality.
 
You were right, changing my tv to 4:3 works and the image isn't stretched. My TV does not, however, have a DV setting, or 720x480. Do some tvs have that? It seems like if I output the stuff shot on my dvx100a at 16:9 it'll stretch it, and now it sounds like you're saying if a output at 4:3 it'll squeeze it because DV is shot at 720x480 and I'm pushing it into 640x480. I'm confused.
 
No TV that I'm aware of has a specific resolution setting, I.E. 720x480. Just 4:3 and 16:9.

First of all, you probably shouldn't take video out of Avid at 640x480 if DVD is your final goal. You're just wasting pixels. Secondly since 720x480 is the resolution for the DVD spec, you HAVE to use it. That's why your DVDs have thus far been looking like everyone has the correct shape, because the MPEG encoding process is correcting your 640x480 stuff.

Now, about the stretch vs. squeeze thing. Here's the deal: If your TV is set to display 4:3, but it's a 16:9 TV then you've got it set up wrong. A 16:9 TV should be set up to display 16:9, that's why you bought it, right? When watching 4:3 content on a 16:9 TV you should have the option of displaying it at the native 4:3 frame size, or stretching it to 16:9. This is a different option than simply changing your TV to display 4:3. You'll have to check your TV documentation for more info on that.

I'm afraid I have to run off to a meeting. I think that will answer your remaining questions, but I'll check this thread again when I get home.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top