MC7 Aspect ratio

PoBear · 14 Apr 2013

I am trying to understand how aspect ratios are handled in MC7.

I have to .wtv files recorded in MC7, the first has an actual res. of 720x576 and the second 528x576.

When played back in MC7 they are both displayed full screen on a 16:9 monitor.

I then convert both files to divx .avi.

when played back the first file is still played full screen, however, the second now has large black borders on either side, although I think it is still being stretched to 16:9.

So my question is, does MC7 either have some sort of auto aspect ratio or does it calculate this for each file, as I guess this setting is being changed when I convert the files?

hoping the above makes sense.

Thanks

Dude · 14 Apr 2013

What did you use to convert the files. I would think it has settings for maintaining or changing aspects.

PoBear · 15 Apr 2013

I am not changing the resolution although I am changing the file type.

The problem is that the files are anamorphic, so there are limits on re-sizing the file horizontally. I have tried calculating the aspect ratio for the second file, but it does not seem to have made any difference to MC7, so I am guessing that there is some information in the original .WTV files that is being stripped out and lost when they are converted.

In fact I did not realise that the second file was an odd resolution until I did the conversion. My problems is that I am not sure that this is a one off, if it is then I'll just watch the original file and skip the adverts, but if it is a common occurrence then I need a work around.

Dude · 16 Apr 2013

PoBear said:

I am not changing the resolution although I am changing the file type.

The problem is that the files are anamorphic, so there are limits on re-sizing the file horizontally. I have tried calculating the aspect ratio for the second file, but it does not seem to have made any difference to MC7, so I am guessing that there is some information in the original .WTV files that is being stripped out and lost when they are converted.

In fact I did not realise that the second file was an odd resolution until I did the conversion. My problems is that I am not sure that this is a one off, if it is then I'll just watch the original file and skip the adverts, but if it is a common occurrence then I need a work around.

How are you changing the file type?

PoBear · 16 Apr 2013

I am using MCEBuddy to convert it to Divx file in an .avi container.

It creates an intermediate .TS file which is then used by mencoder to convert to divx. I have also tried converting the .TS with VirtualDub but got the same result.

I have tried setting the aspect ratio and as far as I can tell MC7 is applying a 16:9 ratio but not anything bigger.

Dude · 16 Apr 2013

Maybe this will work for you

Remove commercials or unwanted part of WTV files by trimming
With the WTV Converter for Windows 8, you can cut out the commercial part or any wanted part by setting the start time and the end time and start time.
Crop blackbars or unwanted areas
You can easily crop the Windows recorded TV shows to remove black bars or any unwanted video areas to focus video as well as keep aspect ratio

Source

Blog write up with directions

It works for windows 7 too

Another option is Format factory

Format Factory on E How

Note

When changing the files container (converting) always review all the settings options within whatever program you use

PoBear · 16 Apr 2013

Dude

Thanks for your post, but I want to convert the files to divx as they use about 1/3 of the storage and I have a LOT of recordings.

I am just trying to find out how MC7 defines aspect ratio in WTV files :)

Dude · 16 Apr 2013

PoBear said:

Dude

Thanks for your post, but I want to convert the files to divx as they use about 1/3 of the storage and I have a LOT of recordings.

I am just trying to find out how MC7 defines aspect ratio in WTV files :)

Pobear, look here Media Center Display settings

The links I provided have options to convert to divx and maintain your aspect ratio. Sorry for the confusion, I thought the aspect ratio was changed when you converted it before. If you convert with the same aspect ratio it should play just like it did when it was a .wtv file.