Aspect Ratio

[Weeination]

Is there any way with VideoStudio Pro X8 to change the aspect ratio of a DVD recording. Are any later versions of VideoStudio able to do this if X8 can't. The program was originally broadcast in 16:9. The DVD recorder recorded the program in 4:3.

[Davidk]

It depends . .
on whether that recording was recent enough to be able to "repeat it, ie catch up, so that you can re-record it in 16:9. To clarify, many smart systems - either Tv or add-on boxes like foxtel or netflix - allow you to access by catch-up (read: play again) previously broadcast programs.
Or, if the it was older so that repeat isn't an option, or the recorder cannot record in 16:9, then I think you may be screwed for the whole recording. You could insert the recording you have into VS (either main TL or an overlay track) and adjust so the preview presents a whole 16:9 screen. On earlier versions of VS,setting the aspect ratio to letter-box (preferences/edit) was possible, which would do that: but this means you are going to lose the top and bottom of the image in order to get 16:9. Another approach to the same end is to set the image aspect ratio to a 16:9 'project size' however this may cause some distortion as the image is stretched to fit. But if it proves feasible, you are going to lose some image quality doing it.

[Weeination]

The recordings were made between 6 to 18 years ago with a DVD recorder. When they are played on a television I can just zoom them in to give me 16:9.

What I did was use the Crop Borders effect. I zoomed in at 100% which got rid of the black on the top, bottom and the sides. The result was very close to what I wanted.

I am using two minute clips from these recordings for a project which I am having some problem with. I am going to start a new topic now regarding that issue under the name Audio Briefly Muted.

[lata]

If you set your project to use 16:9, although I suspect that is the case
Insert the video to the overlay track
Right click the clip on the preview screen for "fit to screen" should stretch the 4/3 to 16/9

Providing your original video does not contain a black border left and right, the video will fill the screen and should be in proportion

[Weeination]

Yes the project is set to 16:9. I have continued the discussion of the project in the new topic.

Of the many clips I have used for the project, I only need to alter the aspect ratio of 11. Most are in 4:3 mode and the latest seven were record in 16:9.

When I have the clip in the preview screen I don't see where I can right clip to "fit to screen".

I wonder if the zooming of the 11 videos using the Crop Borders effect is adding to the problem I have described in the Audio Briefly Muted topic I just posted.

[lata]

With the video on the overlay track, click to select the clip.
The preview screen should show the frame with the yellow re-size handles.
Right click this frame for resize anchor options

[Weeination]

Sorry I was using the video track. I placed the video in the overlay track and then right clicked and selected "fit to screen"

The picture actually fills up more of the screen when I play the video in the video track after I use the Crop Borders effect and then zoom to 100%.

Doing it the way I did, the image is not cut on any side. Also, the size of the picture is close to the 16:9 recordings I am using for the same project.