video files created by VS9 are too wide

[dv_sno]

Hi all,

Due to a total crash of my Windows, I had to re-install all my programs, including VS9. Since then, the video files I make (in the "share" sub-menu) are too wide, and/or too short. Playing around with all the options I could find failed to solve the problem.

Many of you guys know more than I do. Any suggestions?

[Ron P.]

If you're running it on Vista please see your Duplicate Post in the Microsoft Vista forum.

[dv_sno]

Thanks, Vidoman, for your response. Posting my question in the Vista forum was a mistake. My system is Windows XP. Video card is Radeon X550, and sound card is Realtek AC97. I am not sure where to get the rest of the information, but I suspect that the operating sustem is the important piece.

Can you help?

[Ron P.]

Thanks for supplying that info. To obtain further info, click HERE.

Too wide would indicate a 4:3 aspect ratio in a 16:9 project. I take it you have checked in the Project Settings dialog to see that the aspect ratio is set to what your source video clips are. If your source clips are 4:3, and your project settings are 16:9, the video clips will appear stretched and letter-boxed (having black bars above and below).


With a video clip in the time-line or library, right-click on it, select properties and post them here.

[dv_sno]

Sorry for the late reply, vidoman. I had to leave my computer.

You seem to have pinpointed the problem My file aspect ratio is 4:3, and my project setting is 720 X 480. I DID, of course, check it before going to the forum, but in my head (which is usually pretty good with numbers, 720/480 turned out to be 4/3....

I still have a problem: Trying to change the project setting (in edit mode: file > project properties > edit > general tab), the drop down menu for frame size doesn't have the option of 640 X 480. It only allows 352X240, 352X480, 704X480 and 720X480. The "user defined" window below it is grey, and I cannot write in it. I tried it in a new project, and the behavior is the same.

I am not sure why this is so. What should I do to define the project correctly?

[Ron P.]

First if you're wanting to produce a DVD you can not use the frame size of 640 x 480. It is not part of the International DVD Specs.

What type of video file are we talking about? If you're using the default project setting of NTSC or PAL DVD, that's why you're not allowed to set the frame size to anything that is not DVD compliant. You need to change the compression to MPEG-2, or if you're using MS AVI, you can set the frame size to 640 x 480.

Again I will restate that if you're intentions are to produce a DVD, the video must be rescaled to one of the DVD Compliant frame sizes, which are displayed in the drop-down menu when NTSC or PAL DVD is selected as the compression.

[dv_sno]

Thanks. Your reply is very informative. I wasn't aware of the fact that to burn a DVD I cannot use 640 X 480.

I think I know now how to go on. I'll play around with my project, and let you know how it worked.

Thanks a million.

Dave.

[dv_sno]

Dear Vidoman,

I am at a loss. Here's what I try to do (and I DID manage to do itin the past, before I re-installed my VS9):

A) My original file is WMV, 720 X 576, PAL, 25 frames/sec.

B) What I usually do is to import it into VS9, then save it MPEG2, and then - I use the MPEG2 to burn a DVD. This is what I am trying to do now, too, but I can't get VS9 to do what I want. I can't create a video file sized 720 X 576, and if I try some other attributes, I get a distorted MPEG (too wide), and jumpy. I can, of course, use the WMV in the project when I create the DVD, but I'm afraid that the file on the DVD will be distorted, too. I also started using the MPEGS, rather than the original WMVs, because on occasions, VS9 had difficulties in creating the DVD directly from these originals (it was you, in fact, who recommended this procedure).

If you are willing to direct me, please let me know what I should do to make your guidance least time consuming for you.

Thanks,

Dave

[Ron P.]

Ok I see what you're trying to do. I've tried the same with VS9, after having to convert some WMV files using VS10+, so that VS9 would allow them. For some reason the sample WMV files included with VS11 and 12 are rejected by VS9.

When using the MPEG-2 file type changing the Frame size to PAL 720 x576 it would reject it. Of course this is probably due to me being in an NTSC area, and not PAL. I could however create a video file using 30fps, and 720 x 480, which is what my WMV file frame rate and file size are.

The only setting that would make them too wide (stretched) would be the Display aspect ratio setting being 16:9. If your original video clip is as you say 720 x 576 that is a 4:3 aspect ratio. If the Display aspect ratio is set to 16:9 it will stretch the video.

There are differences in the frame sizes and frame rates for NTSC and PAL, for DVD.

PAL: 720 x 576 (which is a 4:3 aspect), frame rate: 25fps.
NTSC: 720 x 480 (which is a 4:3 aspect), frame rate: 29.97fps.

So if you're not in North America (US), or Taiwan, you should be using the PAL settings.

Out of curiosity, why are your original clips WMV? Are you capturing your video using Windows Movie Maker?

I probably have recommended using MPEG-2, actually DVD Compliant MPEG-2, so to retain quality, and it is easier to edit, then WMV. I try to stay clear of editing WMV. If possible capture/transfer video to your PC using the DV (avi) format. If not then use DVD Compliant MPEG-2. If you still can not capture to either of those, then whatever format you can, however problems may arise, due to the heavier compressions.

[dv_sno]

Hi VM,

The answer to your curiosity question is that quite a long time ago, I used WMV (the only video editing program I had at the time) to edit some movies I'd taken in various trips around the world. The tapes are no good now, and I cannnot re-capture them, so I am stuck with those old WMV files.

Since my DVD player can play NTSC, what I am going to try to do is define all as: (A) 720 X 480, (B) 4:3 aspect ratio, and tell VS9 to create NTSC. I hope I'll do it in all the right places. I seem to remember that there were a few dialogue boxes where this needed to be done.

I'll let you know what happened. I suspect the devil is still haunting me...

Dave

[Ron P.]

Ok, I'm not sure it will though, as you're narrowing the video. The original being 720 (wide) by 576 (tall), and you will be creating a video that is 96 pixels shorter. Even though both are 4:3 aspect ratios, I think that you will still have some distortion.

Another thing to look at in your Create Video File, Save as File type, Options dialog would be the "Perform non-square pixel rendering". For TV viewing on traditional CRT televisions this should be checked. As they don't use square pixels, like computer monitors.

I would think that VS9 would allow you to use the same frame size as your source videos, when creating an MPEG-2 video file. You could use the PAL DVD and the 25fps, 720 x 576 which would preserve the frame sizes. This also helps with preserving the quality.

Using the Custom, MPEG-2 , settings should work, as long as the frame size, frame-rate, and bitrate conform to DVD Specs. 720 x 576, 25fps, does meet that. So in the Share>Create Video step, you can select Custom found at the very bottom. Then in the "Save as" dialog window, for Save as File Type...choose MPEG, then press Options. This will allow you access to customizing the frame sizes, frame rates, and so on.

Also the Project Settings basically are applicable to Smart Render. As you're probably aware there are no "Project Settings" for WMV file types, but you're able to use WMV files in projects. Not having the Project Settings matching that of your source clips, means that VS will re-code the entire project. This can cause a loss in quality when dealing with the higher-compressed formats.

Since you're project contains WMV files, then your main concern should rest with the settings found in the Share>Create Video File step. Uncheck perform Smart Render. VS probably will not use it anyway since the file type being render to, is different than that of your source clips.

I do hope that you're successful...

[dv_sno]

Dear VD,

Well, after many hours of playing around with combinations of the various options, I managed to cause VS9 to create MPEG2 files that are not disorted. It was quite frustrating, larfely, due to ignorance on my part. For instance, I could define the size in both: create file >options menue, and in project properties. As it turned out, I had to do it in one of them BEFORE I define the other, or else, I would get a message saying something like "cannot create file of the specified size", and/or I would not get the size I wanted in this-or-that drop down window. I think (I'll have to check again, and document the results), that I defined it in the create video file options menu, and THEN in the project properties. Maybe the definition in the project properties is not a must, anyway. Also, all failed to work if I didn't specify that I wanted an MPEG2 file, rather than a DVD file. Not to mention the switch between NTSC and PAL...

I ended up ceating MPEG2s sized 704 X 576, and these are fine....

Thanks for your assistance.

Dave