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16:9 / 4:3 problem with VCR


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Old 18-01-2006, 14:17
saxdav
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I have a Thomson DTI2300 freeview box connected to a VCR and wide screen TV. I have the picture Aspect set to video 16:9 and the TV auto switches perfectly, if I record TV programs on the VCR and play them back on the wide screen TV then it switches perfectly too. But if I record a program that is transmitted in wide screen and play it back on another TV that is connected to a 4:3 TV then I get a squashed 16:9 image. Is there any way round this?

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Old 18-01-2006, 15:05
David (2)
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No, not really. The recorded image is just really a live broadcast picture. 16:9 for widescreen, 4:3 for square tv's.

The only thing you might want to consider is that you might be able to set the freeview box to "letter box" widescreen - very narrow with deep black bars top and bottom. This just looks like letterbox on a 4:3 tv, but a widescreen tv would need to be in a Zoom mode to expand it - which drops the resolution (sharpness) of the picture. But it does work, if you can put up with that.

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Old 18-01-2006, 23:04
mongosito
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Certain 4:3 sets,I know Panasonic is one,did have a 16:9 setting that would compress an anamorphic picture to correct the problem.Not automatically though.
Some other older makes had a 16:9 setting,but these were simply silly artificial widescreen that removed the top and bottom of the picture-not much use.
A way round it(a L-O-N-G way round) and one you would not want to do regularly would be to copy the VCR recording to dvdrw,then using a PC rewriter,you copy to the PC HDD,use IFO edit to add WSS,then burn back to RW or R and the recording will then play either in 16:9 on a wide set,or in L/B or even full screen on a 4:3 set.
Very long winded and relies on you having a dvd recorder and PC rewriter,but it does work
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Old 19-01-2006, 12:25
David (2)
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That reminds me, when I make a 16:9 recording on the tv's dvd recorder then play the disc on the computer (with 4:3 monitor) the aspect ratio is wrong - and there's nothing I can do about it, apart from record in 4:3 or letterbox, or buy a new 16:9 monitor for the computer.

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Old 19-01-2006, 22:17
mongosito
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PC DVD software can alter the ratio from 16:9 to L/B or even 4:3,however its still dependent on WSS being active on the recording.
You should record initially to RW then add WSS via the PC as I describe above then you can watch in correct 16:9 on your tv and in L/B or 4:3 on your PC.
Alternatively,get a dvd recorder like a Pioneer that will record WSS to your original recording and save you all that bother.
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Old 20-01-2006, 10:05
David (2)
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My Goodmans DVD recordings (connected to the tv) appears to drop the widescreen switching signal when you make a recording. So you have to know what it is when you play it back.

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Old 20-01-2006, 23:13
mongosito
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Apparently most dvd recorders don't record WSS direct to dvd.
My Pioneer records it on -RW(VR) and HDD,this then copies to -R.
Panny records it to RAM,but I don't think it transfers from HDD to -R on those.
And in all cases even Pioneer,real time rate conversion copying to DVD from HDD removes WSS aswell as any chapter marks you have added,replacing them with auto chaptering
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