I have an avi file that plays fine on the computer. I wanted to burn this to a DVD, but when previewing it in Nero just before it burns it, the video is all squished. That is, it's as though the widescreen has been compressed to fit a narrower screen, even though I still have horizontal black bars in the screen. Then, I went and selected 16:9 format (it had automatically chosen 4:3). This time it still looked squished, but the video was playing in a smaller area in the screen, although the playing video had the wide rectanglar shape of a widescreen. How can I have this play normally? Is it just nero's preview that's messed up? What concerns me is that Nero says this is exactly how the video will appear.
Really? I was happy that Nero seemed to be able to do everything, and with a nice interface, too. Then what should I use for this job? Also, what should I use Nero for, and what shouldn't I use Nero for?
Nero is good, if the frame is 4:3 or 16:9. For a avi, the frame ratio can be random and to adjust its ratio will be easy and quick. Try using "Virtualdub" - a freeware. Run and open your avi file. Firstly, click "File->Info" to see its resolution - assume it's 480x240, and a 480x270(16:9) will be fine for Nero. Secondly, click "Video->Filter and add a filter called "resize". Keep new size same as 480x240, but extend frame's to 480x270. You can preview the result - frame size changed but the picture without distortion. Finally, you can designate a short period as a new avi file and test in Nero. If it it fine, go back and save all movie as a new avi.
It seems that this could work out. The video is 720x480. So I chose 720x540. I know this is 4:3 ration, but this way the picture uses all of the width of the screen, instead of being "windowed" inside the screen as it would be if I were to use 16:9. Plus my TV is 4:3. Anyhow, I have another problem. When I said to save this as an avi file, the file size grew to 10GB after just a couple of minutes into the movie! What is wrong? Why is the file size so huge? Do I need to change some settings somewhere?
Yes, the file will be very huge, because it is not compressed. I'm sorry and I should tell you to select a encoder to output a file. Open the source file again and click "File->Info" to see what code the source is and its average bitrate. Load the Filter "resize" as i said before. And now, click "Video->Compress" and you will find a lots of encoders. Every one will work, but just simplely select same as source. Click the encoder and see a "Config" botton at right hand. Enter it and set the average bitrate same or a litttle large than the source. And then, you can save a new avi file
Ok, I tried using the compression (DivX 6.1), but the output file was only about 150MB, whereas the input was 700MB. Anyways, there was audio but no video! I tried again with a few other compressors and the video was stuttering and shakey. Am I doing something wrong? Is there something else I should try?
What codec is the source? You had better use same codec because Nero knew it and show you the video before. Divx6 is quit new, maybe is a trail one and cannot encode over 150mb. And also, nero cannot find a decoder to render it. "K-Lit Codec Pack" is installed on my pc and i always apply its divx5 or xvid to encode a avi without any trouble.
In "File Info" it says the decoder used is DivX 6.1 YV12. But when I select this in "Video->Compression" it says: "Couldn't find compatible format. Possible reasons: -Codec may only support YUV -Codec might be locked -Codec might be decompression-only" Also, some of the other options also give this same message. Is there something I can try to make it work?
You're getting all confused by formats and resolutions. Open the original avi in GSpot, and write down it's running time, resolution, aspect ratio, and framerate. Download some encoders. Cinemacraft basic, Mainconcept, tmpgenc. Depending on which encoder you want to use (tmpgenc is the most popular, although rather slow), there are specific settings to get a good dvd from an avi. Once you have the right information about the video, then you can encode it properly, then author to dvd.
You're right, I am getting a bit confused... I'll try to start over. Here we go: Ok, here is the info about the avi file found by using GSpot. Running time: 2:05:55 Resolution: 720x480 Frame rate: 25.00 fps Aspect ratio: (1.50:1) [=3:2] Now, could someone please show me how to transfer this to DVD format step-by-step?
