How To Change Aspect Ratio From 16:9 to 4:3

[Chris N]

I recorded a video with 4:3 Aspect ratio but by mistake the DVD recorder was set to 16:9 so the mpg video appears distorted (720 x 576 25 FPS). I have imported the video in Videostudio but it always appears as 16:9. I would like to create a 4:3 project in Videostudio to correct the distortion by stretching the video and make the video appear normally as 4:3. How can I do that? Your advice would be appreciated.

Kind Regards

Chris

[BrianCee]

You need to change the project properties

first go to "Settings >> project properties" and set them to a 4:3 ratio

because of the unusual way you have made the video you may also find it necessary after you have set 4:3 to put the video in an overlay track - then RIGHT click on the image in the preview window and select 'fit to screen'

Do not forget when you want to render out the video after editing to either use "same as project settings" or make sure you have 4:3 set in whatever output properties you do choose.

[Chris N]

Thanks for your help Brian, I am slowly getting there. I have some questions I need help with please.

1- Do I need to make a new project and then change the properties to 4:3 before I import the video or can I do it after I import the video?

2- When I go to New project/Settings/project properties I can see two options DV (720 x 576, 16:9, 50i) and (720 x 576, 4:3, 50i). When I select the 4:3 option the view pane still looks like a 16:9 view pane. Is there any way to check the project is really 4:3? When I open project properties again it says "previous settings":
Microsoft AVI files
24 bits, 720 x 576, 4:3, 25 fps
Lower Field First
DV Video Encoder -- type 2
Interleave audio for every 15 frames
PCM, 48.000 kHz, 16 Bit, Stereo

3- I drag the video to the overlay layer. Then I can see a white rectangle with a 4:3 aspect ratio. When I right click I can select fit to screen and the video now looks like 4:3 but it is larger than the rectangle. Is this rectangle the actual video rendering zone? Should I manually use the tabs to make the video fit into the rectangle.

Kind Regards
Chris

[BrianCee]

Yes I would start a new project

If you are working with mpeg video it will be best to choose DVD in the dropdown at the top of the project properties box - that will give mpeg.

the line in the properties box which says "24 bits, 720 x 576, 4:3, 25 fps" changes to show 4:3 - if you switch between the options you will see it changing from 16:9 to 4:3 - it says what the properties you chose are.

When you change to DVD it will be a little clearer because you should then see :-
MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 576, 25 fps
Upper Field First
(DVD-PAL), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 8000 kbps)
Audio data rate: 384 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)

with the aspect ratio on a line of it's own

The white box is just what is known as "The safe area" - not really relevant these days but old TV's used to have a lot hidden screen and the advice used to be to keep all text within the white box - but your image should fill the preview window

[Chris N]

Thanks Brian, that is very helpful information. Actually the file I am working with is copied from a disc made with a DVD recorder and renamed from .VOB to .mpg. When I go to settings/project properties and select the available 4:3 option there is only one project format available in the drop down list, DV/AVI and there is nothing else to choose from.

If I click NEW and then EDIT, under the AVI tab I can choose MJPEG compression. Is this what you mean? *

Kind Regards
Chris

* Microsoft AVI files
24 bits, 720 x 576, 25 fps
Lower Field First
MJPEG Compressor
Interleave audio for every 15 frames
PCM, 48.000 kHz, 16 Bit, Stereo

[BrianCee]

What version of VideoStudio are you using and is it the full or trial version.

I am wondering why you do not get the DVD option - especially as you are working with an mpeg file - unless you are using the trial ?

the way you have explained what you are doing makes me wonder if you are doing things backwards or whether it's just the way you put in.

when the properties box opens first select the project format at the top - and then the 4:3 option

when I do that I get the options shown in my image below.

click on the image to see it larger

[Chris N]

Thanks Brian, that explains it. I am using the trial version of Videostudio Pro so that must be why I cannot see all the options. I am quite impressed with the programme so far so I will probably purchase the pro or the ultimate version. Its a very good value and powerful programme that can do some things that my other video edit programmes cannot. I am still learning how to use it and will no doubt have some more questions. Thanks for all your help.

Kind Regards
Chris

[BrianCee]

Until the release of version X8 we used to be able to say that the trial was a full working version - and indeed many people did not bother to uninstall the trial but merely purchased a serial number and entered that into the trial to produced a full working version of VideoStudio

Unfortunately with the release of X8 the trial was cut down in many ways mainly to save Corel having to pay licence fees to other companies (like dolby) - so many ways that in fact we have not yet compiled a full list - we know many of the output options have been removed including the creating of specific video files and burning a DVD.

So if you do decide to buy the full version - which I have had since version 6 some 13 years or so ago - then please uninstall the trial and use the full download which you will purchase online.