Aspect ratio - What does Widescreen do?

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Level 3

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Aspect ratio - What does Widescreen do?

I ran some experiments on the video that I converted using HandBrake from my DVD collection viewed on the computer screen that is not restricted and the same on the iPod touch video that has a non-conventional 3:2 aspect ratio.

My finding were the iPod screen was always full (no letter boxing). The iPod does not distort the aspect ratio, but simply cuts off what does not fit the 3:2 (480x320) format iPod touch or iPhone. So a TV show with a 4:3 aspect ratio has the top and bottom cut off and a wide screen movie has the left and right side symmetrically truncated. The iPod touch does have a setting of wide screen on or off, but in either setting I saw and measured no difference. For very wide screen movies the effect can cut off some important information. In the case of one of my movies, text was cut off.

Does anyone know what the Widescreen setting does?

Mac Pro 2.66 GHz, Mac OS X (10.4.9), 250GB, 500GB, 500GB HD's; 3GB RAM

Posted on Sep 21, 2007 5:08 PM

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Answer 1

LurchNC

Level 1

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Sep 21, 2007 5:21 PM in response to Bobbbo

The widescreen setting on the touch is for Video Out (sending to a TV)

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Answer 2

Bobbbo Author

Level 3

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Sep 21, 2007 5:39 PM in response to LurchNC

Thanks. I wish it effected wha was displayed as well.

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Answer 3

Sep 21, 2007 5:57 PM in response to Bobbbo

Just double-tap the screen when a video is playing to switch between fill screen and fit to screen (widescreen mode).

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Answer 4

Bobbbo Author

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Sep 22, 2007 8:34 AM in response to Elwood Hauke

Well that is great!! Thanks so much.

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Answer 5

QQQQQ

Level 1

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Sep 22, 2007 9:20 AM in response to Bobbbo

If you have already viewed some 4:3 movies on the Touch, how do they look in full screen mode? Is it watachable or is it too stretched?

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Answer 6

Bobbbo Author

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Sep 22, 2007 10:14 AM in response to QQQQQ

They look great. It only cuts off 20 pixels on the top and 20 on the bottom. There typically will be no important content at these locations.

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Answer 7

QQQQQ

Level 1

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Sep 22, 2007 10:32 AM in response to Bobbbo

Thanks for the reply. I sure am glad to hear that, since all my videos have 4:3 ratio. If you don't mind: What resolution are your videos converted to? Will 512x384 work well (it should work well if an higher resolution isn't required)

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Answer 8

Bobbbo Author

Level 3

530 points

Sep 22, 2007 11:32 AM in response to QQQQQ

All resolution above the 480x320 will work well as long as the 3:2 aspect ratio is close. When you go above these resolutions you will need more memory. I was saving some DVDs of mine in a 640x480 so the resolution when played with a TV set through a composite cable out of my iPod. A 480x320 video takes about 1/3 less memory than a 640x480.

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Answer 9

QQQQQ

Level 1

10 points

Sep 22, 2007 1:08 PM in response to Bobbbo

Sorry for bein' a nagger but just to be sure:
The best resolution I can encode a 512x384 video to is 480x360?
Thanks

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Answer 10

Bobbbo Author

Level 3

530 points

Sep 22, 2007 1:23 PM in response to QQQQQ

No, you can save and play back videos up to the iPod spec. limit of 640 by 480 pixels. Your 512x384 videos should play fine. It is just when you go above the 480x320 you waste iPod memory space with no improved video quality as seen on the iPod screen. Larger resolution is only useful if you play to play your video on a larger screen TV set. This is useful if you travel, and would like to watch some of your video in the hotel room. You need to by a cable to do this.

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