Converting videos with odd aspect ratios.

January 15, 2007 7:53 AM

How can I convert a video to MPEG2 while maintaining the oddball aspect ratio? Much

I've been using Videora TiVo Converter to convert videos I have (ripped DVDs, internet archive films, etc.) into the MPEG 2 format that TiVo can read so I can upload them to my TiVo using Tivo2Go, and watch them on my TV. I've used Any Video Converter to this end as well.

These programs work great for standard 4:3 aspect ratio films, or 16:9 TV shows, but whenever I try to convert a movie with the aspect ratio of, say, 2.76:1, the final conversion is stretched out.

Is there any program (on Windows or Mac) or any method I overlooked to convert these videos for my TiVo while maintaining the aspect ratio?

posted by mikespez to technology (4 comments total)

I use Videora and this tool to calculate dimensions and padding for the letterboxing.
posted by beowulf573 at 8:03 AM on January 15, 2007

I've used QuickTime Pro to convert movies from one aspect ratio to another. You'd use Export > Movie to QuickTime Movie > Options > Size. Then set the dimensions to whatever is appropriate ("Current" probably) and check the "Preserve aspect ratio" button (and select Letterbox or whatever method you like).

I don't think QuickTime exports to MPEG2, but if you export it as a .mov without compression, I suspect you'll be able to find another conversion program to dump to the format you want.
posted by thinman at 9:42 AM on January 15, 2007

I'm not sure if this site will help you or not, but you could give Media Convert a try.
posted by ivyboundmoon at 11:43 AM on January 15, 2007

mencoder, which is part of the free mplayer package, will do this for you. It's command-line though...
posted by polyglot at 1:33 PM on January 15, 2007