View Full Version : 16:9 flag, IFOEdit, Panny recorder, Widescreen Camcorder


NCDave
09-03-08, 09:38 PM
Sorry to post another one of these threads, but I've read many, many threads and have not gotten this to work all the way through. I'm not sure where the problem lies. Here's what I'm doing:

1) Recorded widescreen video using Canon ZR950 (MiniDV, standard def.)

2) Used Firewire connection to burn a DVD+R directly to my Panasonic DMR-ES15 recorder. I would rather not involve a personal computer at all, but that's not entirely possible, it seems.

3) Played the new DVD, using the same recorder, on my 4:3 TV, which is probably not going anywhere for a few more years. [But my videos will be around for a while, hence my wish to record them as least in 16:9 SD, whilst all this high-def stuff gets ironed out (and cheaper).]

The resulting picture fills the TV's 4:3 screen, but it is stretched vertically. I expected this would happen (from what I had read), even though the Panny supposedly has settings for 4:3 or 16:9.

The DVD's picture is also stretched vertically when played on my Vista machine's DVD player. Also expected.

4) Copied the raw files from the DVD+R to my Vista machine.

5) Used IfoEdit (also tried IfoAR2WS on my 2nd coaster), to change the 4:3 to 16:9 in the raw IFO files.

6) Burned the modified files back to a new DVD+R (and to DVD-R on my 2nd coaster), using drag-and-drop on Vista, which seemed to be my only option for burning the raw files. [Maybe this is my problem, but I'm stuck with Vista and don't have other DVD burning software. Please redirect me if this whole problem is a software issue.]

7) The resulting DVDs (DVD-R, DVD+R) read properly in my Vista machine's DVD player (this is a Dell Vostro 200). They come up in widescreen, as expected. So I know I did the IfoEdit stuff correctly.

So far, all is as I expected, at least from all the reading I did. Here's the problem:

8) Neither of these modified DVD's (DVD-R and DVD+R) will play in my Panasonic DMR-ES15. It gives an error about unrecognized format.

I also have another (older) Panasonic DVD player (not recorder): DVD-RV31. I get a similar error on that player.

What have I done wrong?

[Aside: I have considered just using DVD-RAM to archive these MiniDV tapes, but I'm afraid DVD-RAM (and support for the same) will soon be gone forever.]

Thanks!

NCDave
09-03-08, 10:53 PM
From another thread I read:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1014246

it seems the Toshiba D-R410 will record the 16:9 flag correctly from a 16:9 source. Hopefully it will also do this when the input source is the DV input from a camcorder.

Anyone know anything abut this?

Thanks.

eaglecrest
09-04-08, 08:41 AM
6) Burned the modified files back to a new DVD+R (and to DVD-R on my 2nd coaster), using drag-and-drop on Vista, which seemed to be my only option for burning the raw files. [Maybe this is my problem, but I'm stuck with Vista and don't have other DVD burning software. Please redirect me if this whole problem is a software issue.]Thanks!

You have to use a program like Nero to burn the DVD. As you have found, the drag and drop method will not work.

Since you are using your Panasonic to create DVD's from your camcorder, you would be wise to use a authoring program like TMPGEnc DVD Author. It will allow you to set the 16:9 flag, edit unwanted footage, add a nice menu, and place chapter marks exactly where you want them. Plus it will burn the final DVD for you.

-Bill

NCDave
09-04-08, 09:01 PM
Thanks Bill. I suspected it might be the burning software. Can't believe this is still not worked out, even on Vista.

I really don't want to get into video editing. I tried a bit of this before, using Sony Vegas, and it just took too much of my time.

I'll probably just go buy an inexpensive Toshiba recorder, just for the purpose of being able to properly record the widescreen flag. I expect, by the time all this gets sorted out (including HD), I'll have something like 5 or 6 DVD players/recorders in the house ;)

Thanks for the reply.

plplplpl
09-05-08, 01:48 AM
Dunno about the D-R410, but one of the things I really appreciate about my Toshiba RD-XS35 is that it correctly sets the widescreen flag for widescreen video from my Canon Elura miniDV cam when recording via firewire, something I experienced Panasonic and Philips machines do not do. I'm still wondering if recent Pioneers do.

vferrari
09-06-08, 07:45 PM
Oh, and DVD-RAM is not going anywhere soon. It will be around as long as Panasonic continues to make DVD recorders and DVD-RAM is now supported on just about every DVD multi-drive found in a computer.

mkjnovak
09-12-08, 04:14 AM
Hi,

2 software tips:

PGCEdit is free and easier than IFOEdit.
Setting the widescreen flag is as easy as
Open the disc folder on your PC
Right-click the title you want to change
Select "Domain stream attributes"
Change to widescreen
Repeat as necessary
Save

Burn with IMGBurn
It's free and excellent

Mike

plplplpl
09-12-08, 05:54 AM
Another free and easy way, if you're going the PC route because your DVDR doesn't set the widescreen flag, is with DVDPatcher (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14288977#post14288977).