Converting 4:3 to 16:9 video

JaffaJedi · 20 Dec 2007 at 20:22

I have a Sony dcr-trv30 which I thought could record in 16:9, as when you play it back on the camcorder it looks 16:9

However when I imported it into Vista it looks 4:3. I then googled the issue and found that the camera is not proper 16:9

So now I have people on the video looking like tefal heads

What free software can convert it from 4:3 to 16:9?

Thanks

James J · 20 Dec 2007 at 20:23

most likely handbrake

3dcandy · 20 Dec 2007 at 22:09

Pinnacle Studio 11
Premiere Pro
Ulead Video doobry whatever

JaffaJedi · 20 Dec 2007 at 22:44

Thanks

I will check them out

Bes · 20 Dec 2007 at 23:12

How does that work? Surely everything is just streched?

JaffaJedi · 20 Dec 2007 at 23:24

They are already stretched, as the camcorder displays them as sudo 16:9 but when they are imported they look like 4:3 and strech everyones foreheads.

It was a video of my kids christmas play at school.

I havent tried the software suggested yet, but will tomorrow night when I get in from work

3dcandy · 21 Dec 2007 at 11:56

Sorry, the software I mentioned ain't free.....unless you can obtain a trial. However, I do have some software and may be able to help you if you're stuck!

SDK^ · 21 Dec 2007 at 12:39

What resolution is the video straight from the camera ?

JaffaJedi · 21 Dec 2007 at 13:37

I will try a couple of trial versions to see if it works.

The video when imported to the pc is 4:3 even tho on the camera it is showing as 16:9

If I film in 4:3 and import the avi looks fine.

3dcandy · 21 Dec 2007 at 15:29

ok, I know Premiere Pro has an option to make the footage anamorphic, ie. looks ok on widescreen and 4:3 but the others I'm not sure. Can you not import as 16:9 as that could be the problem as I think you may be importing 16:9 footage into the pc as 4:3 thus the squashed heads etc.

JaffaJedi · 23 Dec 2007 at 16:14

I have tried a couple of programs with no luck.

I will re import trying to force it as 16:9, and see if that works

Sirrel Squirrel · 23 Dec 2007 at 19:34

In Premiere you can change the aspect by right clicking the clip in the bin. Pretty much any editing program should be able to do this.

Energize · 23 Dec 2007 at 21:31

Virtual dub.

JaffaJedi · 23 Dec 2007 at 21:52

thanks for the tips

I downloaded the premier trial and bingo, it imported as 16:9

Premiere isnt cheap tho so I will dabble with vdub and the other freebies listed, for future imports.

I had better save the pennies to get a proper 16:9 camcorder.

Thanks again