Help with settings for HD to SD conversion

[scooterspal]

Need to convert some 16x9 1080i HD files down to 16x9 SD to make NTSC DVD's from.
The SD version needs to be 16x9 in a 4x3 frame in some cases... for the older TV sets some of my clients still have.

Can this type of conversion be done using HandBrake?

Any thoughts on how would I set up the Picture dialog parameters. So far I'm getting odd shapes.

Thanks for the help on this!

[mduell]

Custom anamorphic, preserve aspect ratio, 720x480 storage dimensions.

[scooterspal]

Hi!

There's no check box for Preserve Aspect Ratio when you set to "custom". This was my issue.

I did get something close using the Universal template. Looks to be 16x9 in 16x9. Will need to make a DVD to see how it plays on a 4x3 tv set.

The color is weaker and the blacks lighter than the HD original.

Do any of the settings under Optimize Video affect color and black level?

[mduell]

Ok, use 32:27 as the AR with 720x480 storage dimensions and you'll get your 16:9.

No, color and black level have no direct controls in HB.

[scooterspal]

Much appreciated!

I'm playing around with getting these .m4v files to work in other programs... like my DVD authoring software. So far not with much luck.

What's funny is the wrapper in Handbrake seems now to be set to a choice between .mp4 or .mkv.

I'm almost certain it was either .m4v or .mkv yesterday and I have files I made with the .m4v tag.

How did it get changed?

[moneymatt4life]

.m4v is .mp4 for apple you can select in preferences which one handbrake will use... you can also just change the extension (i think?)

[scooterspal]

.m4v is .mp4 for apple

What's odd is that the files I made before that end in mp4 will not to open on Quicktime's player version 7.7... but the ones I made that end with .mkv will.

And, even though, as you stated, you can select .m4v or .mp4 (under Tools > Options)... even if I force it to .m4v... it does offer me the selection in the check box.

I know it was there yesterday.

[mduell]

That sounds reasonable, Apple has some specific limitations on mp4 where they want m4v instead. With no logs we can't provide any more guidance on the issue.

[Ritsuka]

Those limitations are only in QuickTIme 7. There is no difference on QuickTime 10 or iTunes or iOS devices.

[scooterspal]

Made some tests:

Forcing Mp4 in Tools > Options gets a file that will not open in QT7

Setting to Auto in Tools > Options and checking MKV the file will not open in QT7

Setting to Auto in Tools > Options and checking MP4 and the file will open in QT7