Nature of the problem: When I attempt to export 16:9 video to MP4, the only choices are 4:3 format for size. I thought I could just change "Display Aspect Ratio" to 16:9 and get the correct result. However, the result plays fine in Windows Media Player, but stretches the image in my viewer (Epson P2000).
Properties of your source files: DVD is the source, Using "Insert DVD" in VS10+ it created this temporary file:
File format: NTSC DVD, File size: 352,854 KB, Duration: 311.754 sec, Video Type: MPEG-2 Lower Field First, Total Frames: 9,343, Attributes: 24 bits, 720 x 480, 16:9, Frame Rate: 29.970/sec, Data Rate: Variable (Max 7000) Audio Type: LPCM, Samples: 14,963,764, Attributes: 48000hz, 16 bit, stero
What devices are involved and their mode of connection? DVD ROM to read in the file. USB conection to transfer the MP4 to the Epson P2000.
Project Settings: I suposed this was from VS10+ File menu Properties.
Withe the video MPEG-2 file inserted into the time line the properties of the project size states 0 (zero). Duration: 00:05:11.23 (I only brought in one chapter) Edit file format: MPEG files. NTSC drop frame (29.97 fps) MPEG files 24 bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps. Lower Field First. (DVD-NTSC), 16:9. Video Data Rate: Variable (max 8000 kbps). LPCM Audio, 48000, Stereo.
Output format: I have tried many since the manual for the P2000 states it can use other types. But the only type I have ever got to work in it is the MP4. I have tried every senereo I could think of with nothing working. And its all because the user can't specify the actual size to export.
PAL or NTSC: NTSC
Error Codes: None
In addition to every way I could export MP4 to widescreen, I thought what I might be able to do is set the project to 4:3 then insert a picture in the video track and overlay the actual video in widescreen 16:9. Esentially creating a letterbox format. But I must be misunderstanding the use of the overlay track since this did not work either. It did not recognize the image and still exported the video in 4:3 ratio. No black stripes at top and bottom.
Who has some suggestions to make this MP4 with a an actual size of 640 x 360. (640 is the max size the P2000 can show, and with its output cable to TV, I would like the best resolution I can get)
Convert Widescreen DVD to MP4
Moderator: Ken Berry
-
d.vertz
To answer my own question.
1. In VS10+, when the splash screen appears, make sure the checkbox is unchecked for 16:9 before opening the VS editor.
2. Go directly to the Overlay Tab.
3. Insert your widescreen 16:9 movie into the overlay track.
4. Insert an image that is solid black with the dimensions of 640 x 480 into the movie track.
5. Stretch the length of the picture to equal the length of the movie
6. Click on the movie in the timeline. Then in the preview area, stretch the resize box by the corners (to maintain aspect ratio) to fit the project. you can right click and select "Anchor at center, center" to keep placing the movie back to the center.
7. Click the Share Tab.
8. Click Create Video File and select custom.
9. Change "Save as file type" to MP4 and select options
10. Set your preferred options. (mine are Frame Rate: 29.970, Frame size: 640 x 480, Video Type: M2V-SP, Video Data Rate: 2000, Audio Type: AAC, Audio Freq: 44100, Audio Bitrate:160)
11. Click OK.
1. In VS10+, when the splash screen appears, make sure the checkbox is unchecked for 16:9 before opening the VS editor.
2. Go directly to the Overlay Tab.
3. Insert your widescreen 16:9 movie into the overlay track.
4. Insert an image that is solid black with the dimensions of 640 x 480 into the movie track.
5. Stretch the length of the picture to equal the length of the movie
6. Click on the movie in the timeline. Then in the preview area, stretch the resize box by the corners (to maintain aspect ratio) to fit the project. you can right click and select "Anchor at center, center" to keep placing the movie back to the center.
7. Click the Share Tab.
8. Click Create Video File and select custom.
9. Change "Save as file type" to MP4 and select options
10. Set your preferred options. (mine are Frame Rate: 29.970, Frame size: 640 x 480, Video Type: M2V-SP, Video Data Rate: 2000, Audio Type: AAC, Audio Freq: 44100, Audio Bitrate:160)
11. Click OK.
-
d.vertz
Thank you, MrAmigo2121
To append to the above ...
I have found that once you create a video and try to do edits on it, something goes haywire.
The edits I had done ...
... removed the current overlay.
... imported the next chapter from the DVD.
... captured a still frame from in the movie. The begining of the movie is blank so it generates a black preview. I wanted to give it a preview so I would know what it was.
... since the transition automatically gets removed with removing the current preview image, I reinserted the same crossfade transition between the preview image and the black background (the 640 x 480).
Now with the new chapter ready, I went to create the MP4 and found that it started stretching the movie to full screen again.
I found work around ... Close VS, reopen and follow the original steps from above.
I am not sure, I still have some tests to do, but I think the problem lies in the step of extracting the next chapter from the DVD.
To append to the above ...
I have found that once you create a video and try to do edits on it, something goes haywire.
The edits I had done ...
... removed the current overlay.
... imported the next chapter from the DVD.
... captured a still frame from in the movie. The begining of the movie is blank so it generates a black preview. I wanted to give it a preview so I would know what it was.
... since the transition automatically gets removed with removing the current preview image, I reinserted the same crossfade transition between the preview image and the black background (the 640 x 480).
Now with the new chapter ready, I went to create the MP4 and found that it started stretching the movie to full screen again.
I found work around ... Close VS, reopen and follow the original steps from above.
I am not sure, I still have some tests to do, but I think the problem lies in the step of extracting the next chapter from the DVD.
Many times this depends on the playback device.
I've found that some codecs prefer to use "Square Pixels". So in your output framesize you calculate the framesize as square pixels.
When you create the mp4 file try UNChecking the option "Perform non-square Pixel Rendering" which should use square pixels in your 640x360 custom framesize.
Try this on a 1 minute test file.
I have to use this method many times when converting from a custom avi codec to wmv or divx file.
I've found that some codecs prefer to use "Square Pixels". So in your output framesize you calculate the framesize as square pixels.
This would produce a 16:9 image using square pixels.Who has some suggestions to make this MP4 with a an actual size of 640 x 360
When you create the mp4 file try UNChecking the option "Perform non-square Pixel Rendering" which should use square pixels in your 640x360 custom framesize.
Try this on a 1 minute test file.
I have to use this method many times when converting from a custom avi codec to wmv or divx file.