16:9 DVD recording

[P Hill]

I've recently been researching the subject of recording 16:9 to DVD.

I'm researching more because of a mixture of components in use here at the church. I record the message 4:3 currently. I have TVs in the nursery and foyer that are 4:3. So far so good. Recently I added 32" 16:9 LCD screens in our cafe room. so I have to run zoomed a bit cutting a bit off the top and bottom and little black bars on the sides. This currently give me the least amount of "helpful comments" from the congregation.

Back to the DVD recording issue. I've found that DVDs record 720x480 pixels. If its 4:3 or 16:9, the pixels are still the same number. "Anamorphic" is recording 16:9 but a "flag" is check in the IFO files in the DVD files. There is an IFO editor that will let you change the "flag". The DVD player has settings in the menu "Wide-screen, Letterbox, Pan'n'scan".

So record the video 16:9 to DVD and set the anamorphic flag. Then the users of the DVD set the DVD player menu for there TV. (Most don't know about it though)
Widescreen user should see full screen video without scaling, stretching, best possible resolution. 4:3 user can select letter box and have black bars top and bottom or Pan'n'scan and clip off the left and right and be full height. I've never added the extra data to make pan'n'scan "pan" the screen, but I've seen in on commercial DVDs. (Kinda weird the first time you see it)

BTW I found the Plextor M402U to be an excellent DVD file recorder. The unit is a hardware encoder and does an awesome job. Hardly any CPU Load. The quality is limited to 480i thru s-video.

I would like to learn how to scale the "anamorphic" signal I'm recording to DVD, to send live feed to the 4:3 screens in the building. I've read Kramer makes a scaler. I just don't have any experience with those unit.

Hope I added a bit of info. This is my first post (I think)

Phil

[clinthicum]

I believe that I'm looking for the same thing....ability to record HD onto DVD or other media.

I'm planning a project for local church with the new Vaddio HD-18 PTZ HD (720p) camera and the church wants to distribute DVDs of each service to folks following the services (or an hr or so later). They aren't looking to do a production DVD....just simply use an HD camera to record a service and provide DVD to individuals who will take it to shut-its at hospitals, nursing homes, etc.

The Vaddio HD-18 has concurrent SD and HD outputs, but what I'm learning from my Vaddio sales rep is that others who have use the camera don't use the component video output for recording at all. They only use the component video portion to insert an HD signal into a video distribution box so that the service can be watched (live only) on other plasma displays throughtout the church facility. The composite SD output is then used for video capture purposes and DVD creation.

Analogy: I'd like to buy a Porsche Turbo....but I'll be content if the turbo is computer controlled and will only kick-in when the GPS realizes that I'm on a legit race racetrack. Meanwhile...I'm more than content with std power for daily driving.

Am I missing something here?

[Gracetech]

You would be missing a DA(Distribution Amp). It's so funny how people get around not having to buy such a cheap item by taking a less than superior signal just because it's there. Buy a DA and then run component everywhere and you will be happy you did.

crt

[vidwiz]

Clinthicum,

Hey when is you're rep telling you the hd18 will be available. Couldn't get a consistent answer from mine, anywhere from next week to end of summer. Have you by chance seen or tried that camera? I suppose it is what it is. Single chip but nice low light and zoom range.

[clinthicum]

Actually I haven't gotten a commitment from the rep yet. Haven't made it that far in discussions. I know the distributor had a local trade show recently with the unit on display.

I've asked them to get a demo unit together, so they can bring it to a mtg with the church staff and I...so we can see and play with the exact camera.
I'm a strong believe that seeing is believing...if I can put product in a customer's hands it's often hard to pull it away later and the sale is 3/4 done.

I also do basic residential AV work and use the same tact with universal remote controls (Harmony One, etc.). They don't think they "need" one...so I just buy one, program it for them, and leave it with them for a few weeks. Then I come back later with a bill in my back pocket and ask for the remote back. They usually just ask for the bill instead !