Videos encoded with 1280x720 (format) are shown with 1388x440 pixels (current size)

I want to watch the films on my MacBook Pro 15" with a resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels. I am using the Quicktime Player 10.0. The size of the video changes depending of the view mode (e.g. with full screen I get 1440 x 456 pixels), but the ratio of width to height keeps constant.

Downloaded the file and examined it. Not sure if the problem is caused by your camcorder or your work flow processing the file post recoding. Basically, the file is not anamorphic (i.e., encoded directly to a 1280x720 encode/display matrix) but someone or something changed the PAR value from 1:1 to 1280:720 (i.e., 1.78:1). As a result, applications like QT X which rely on the PAR value and the encoded height to display the movie at its proper aspect ratio were thrown off. Basically it was multiplying the non-anamorphic width of 1280 pixels by the incorrect 1.78 PAR value and tried to display the movie as a 2275x720 file. Since your screen resolution could not supoport this oversized display width, it automatically re-scaled the width to "fit" the available screen display width which, in turn, reduced your display height in order to maintain the "new" superwide aspect ratio.

In any event, I simply copied your original data to an MOV file container, used Subler to re-set the PAR width scaling factor back to 1:1, and saved the data in an M4V iTunes compatible file container. You can access/view/download the file at the following URL:

http://idisk.me.com/jrwalker4-Public/HDV_0255.m4v

I'd like to post a sample file but don't know how. Do I have to open up a dropbox.com account or something like that?

Use the Finder "Go" menu to select the "iDisk/Other User's Public Folder..." option on your computer. When the modal box opens, enter "jrwalker4" in the "Member's Name" box. When the "jrwalker4-Public" folder window opens fully (i.e., displays current files), drag and drop your sample file to the folder window and post the name of the sample file here.

I just played around with the few settings of Quicktime Player and found out that the strange size 1388x440 pixels arises when I chose "fit to screen" (cmd 3) (I hope it's the right translation because I use a german Quicktime Player). In the normal size the "current size" of my film is "1138 x 360 pixels", that means half the height as it should have.

You previously failed to mention your current screen resolution setting, which player you are using (i.e., with ot without a border), the dock display mode, or the fact that you might not be in a stand viewing mode. All of these things can affect the maximum display area available for playback. (I.e., your screen resolution must be equal to or greater than 1280x720 plus the border area in present less the dock display area if displayed and assumes all embedded display settings are correct/working properly.)

With other players like VLC the videos look fine.

Only "new tech" players like QT X or video editors like iMovie '07 and later will have this problem since only they rely on the PAR value for playback. QT 7, GarageBand, and MPEG Stremclip, for instance, will continue to play the files correctly in the same manner as VLC because they all use playback dimensions actually embedded in the file.

I will have to convert all files (maybe with Subler) or just live with the wrong aspect ratio when using preview or quicktime.

No conversions are necessary as long as the source files from your camcorder are H.264/AAC. The work flow I used was specific for H.264/AAC/AC3 files I watch on my TV. In your case there is a shortcut as described below:

1) Open your original MP4 (H.264/AAC) file in Subler

2) Select the H.264 video track in the work window

3) Change the "Aspect Ratio" window entries from "1280" and "720" to "1" and "1" (Note: Be sure to use the Tab or Return key to "set" the last aspect ratio entry before saving the file).

4) Select the "Save" File menu option to embed the changed PAR setting to your original MP4 file.

This process takes only a few seconds to accomplish and should then make the original MP4 file play correctly in both "Old" and "New" technology video applications. If it doesn't, you probably forgot to "set" the new values in Subler before copying them to your MP4 file as noted above. (I am assuming these instructions are clear enough so that you will not require an instructional video to see how to use this work flow.)

That's pretty easy 🙂.

I just started to correct the first videos.

While this is an easy "fix" for the problem, you may also want to check to see if your camcorder model is capable of accepting firmware updates and, if so, watch to see if there is an update that prevents this problem in the future. In short, I can't believe that the problem has not been brought to the attention of the manufacturer before this.

How can I watch my videos with the real size of 1280 x 720 pixels?

Can you post a sample file for examination?