Using a widescreen wmv file in a DVD

Berzelius · Post by **Berzelius** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 8:57 pm

I have a downloaded widescreen WMV file that I would like to burn as a DVD. The details are:

File format: Windows Media Video

Data rate: 1895kbps

Video: Windows Media Video 9
24 bits, 672x544, 25.000 frames/sec

Audio: Windows Media Audio 9.1
44.100 KHz, 16 bits, Stereo

Aspect ratio: 1.80:1.00

The file plays as widescreen with no distortion in Windows Media Player and also in software such as VLC. However, although the file can be used to burn a DVD (I used 16:9) the widescreen has disappeared - it's roughly square with black borders - and there is a noticeable vertical distortion.

I've tried playing around a little with templates but (probably due to my ignorance of the subject

) have got nowhere fast.

Is it possible to burn a DVD in VideoStudio that will keep it widescreen and not be distorted?

Post by **Ron P.** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:48 pm

According to the frame sizes you provided, it is not 16:9, or 1.80:1. In order for your clip to be 16:9 it should be 979 x 544 (1.80:1) or the typical 1.77 for widescreen would be 962 x 544. It would appear that the aspect ratio of your video clip is 1.24:1, and 4:3 is commonly 1.33.

Also you might check to see if Render Non-square pixels is checked.

Trevor Andrew · Post by **Trevor Andrew** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:35 am

Hi Berzelius

Standard Pal 4:3 uses 720 x 576 as the frame size
Standard Pal 16:9 uses the same frame size with the pixels being automatically stretched to fit a 16:9 frame.
Your WMV may not have these properties. ( interested in seeing the video, can you e-mail )

Your best option may be to set the project properties to 16:9.
Use the distort function from the attributes tab to manually stretch the video to size.

You may still see the black borders as the 672x544 not 16:9 but nearer 4:3
Although I wouldn¡¦t have expected the vertical distortion.

Berzelius · Post by **Berzelius** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:04 pm

Thanks for the replies. However, since posting, I decided to try burning with a project setting of 4:3. When I view this on my 16:9 TV it now shows up as filling the screen and without any noticeable distortion - I'm not sure if anything has been cropped but it now looks OK. I've got to admit that I'm more than a bit flummoxed, but if it works . . .