TonyPh12345,
Yes, the TiVo series 2 is not High Def. I did not say that it was.
So, the problem still exists. The image is super narrow, compared to a standard 4:3 image.
I use kmttg (version v0p7l) to transfer and decode video files from the series 2 TiVo. Then I pass the video file through VideoReDo qfix automatically. I may or may not edit the file later with VideoReDo to remove adverts manually. VideoReDo displays the video as a 4:3 aspect image. VideoReDo does not affect the narrow aspect image, as the problem existed before I started using VideoReDo.
The medisinfo text output is:
Format : MPEG-PS
File size : 1.56 GiB
Duration : 1h 0mn
Overall bit rate : 3 731 Kbps
Video
ID : 224 (0xE0)
Format : MPEG Video
Format version : Version 2
Format profile : Main@Main
Format settings, BVOP : Yes
Format settings, Matrix : Default
Duration : 1h 0mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 3 391 Kbps
Nominal bit rate : 9 000 Kbps
Width : 480 pixels
Height : 480 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 0.889
Frame rate : 29.970 fps
Standard : NTSC
Resolution : 8 bits
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
Scan type : Interlaced
Scan order : Top Field First
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.491
Stream size : 1.42 GiB (91%)
Audio
ID : 192 (0xC0)
Format : MPEG Audio
Format version : Version 1
Format profile : Layer 2
Duration : 1h 0mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 192 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Video delay : 3ms
Stream size : 82.4 MiB (5%)
Text
ID : 224 (0xE0)-608-1
Format : EIA-608
Muxing mode : MPEG Video / EIA-708
Muxing mode, more info : Muxed in Video #1
Stream size : 0.00 Byte (0%)
As you can see, the video Wiidth and Height is 480x480 with a Display aspect ratio of 0.889.
Interestingly, VLC version 1.1.0 plays this video correctly at 4:3 aspect. The previous version of VLC (whatever that was before version 1.1.0) also played the video as a narrow aspect. I assume that aspect ratio is the 0.889.
I used mkvmerge version GUI v4.0.1 to remux the video file. Here is the mediainfo output after mkvmerge:
Format : Matroska
File size : 1.55 GiB
Duration : 1h 0mn
Overall bit rate : 3 703 Kbps
Encoded date : UTC 2010-07-10 15:48:03
Writing application : mkvmerge v4.1.1 (‘Bouncin’ Back’) built on Jul 3 2010 22:54:08
Writing library : libebml v1.0.0 + libmatroska v1.0.0
Video
ID : 1
Format : MPEG Video
Format version : Version 2
Format profile : Main@Main
Format settings, BVOP : Yes
Format settings, Matrix : Default
Codec ID : V_MPEG2
Codec ID/Info : MPEG 1 or 2 Video
Duration : 59mn 57s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 3 438 Kbps
Nominal bit rate : 9 000 Kbps
Width : 480 pixels
Height : 480 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 4:3
Original display aspect ratio : 0.889
Frame rate : 29.970 fps
Standard : NTSC
Resolution : 8 bits
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
Scan type : Interlaced
Scan order : Top Field First
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.498
Stream size : 1.44 GiB (93%)
Audio
ID : 2
Format : MPEG Audio
Format version : Version 1
Format profile : Layer 2
Codec ID : A_MPEG/L2
Codec ID/Hint : MP2
Duration : 1h 0mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 192 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Stream size : 82.4 MiB (5%)
Now the video width and height are 480x480 and a display aspect ratio of 4:3. The 0.889 is now listed as the ‘original display aspect ratio’
As I said in my original posting, the TiVo just displays the video full screen, so I assume that the display aspect ratio within the video is just ignored and the screen aspect ratio (from the setup/config info) is used instead.
The TiVo, VLC, and mkvmerge know that it is a 4:3 aspect ratio video. The WD TV Live does not. As the WD TV Live also knows the screen aspect ratio, it would be nice if there was an option to just scale everything to that display aspect ratio like the TiVo does. Just an option, not a default, as I don’t want the wrath of the purests cast apon me.
Cheers,