JVC Everio S – GZ-MS130

I bought this camcorder for a couple of reasons and now I’m pulling my hair out…I hope that someone can help.

First, I chose this camcorder because:
1) I needed a wireless remote (not many include a remote anymore), to use it for fishing video’s in my boat while I’m alone do a google on bigfishaddict
2) Had +/- $300 budget
3) Wanted hard drive, so I don’t have to mess with memory sticks or tapes

Well, as far as those 3 things go, it’s fine…but wow, what a pain in the neck!

- I record in 16:9 ratio for widescreen use
- When I use the included software (Enverio Media browser), it plays back in 16:9
- When I use “back-up” to my computer, it saves it back down to 4:3 (and squishes the picture down)
- The native format is .mod
- When I look at the properties of the native file, it says that they are 720x480 (16:9)
- I spent $100 for Roxio Creator 2009, which reads the native files fine, but they still come in as 4:3
- I have tried and tried to “save as” and convert the files in Roxio, to end up with 16:9 format, but they are always 4:3.
- So, the only way that I get to view or play the file in 16:9 is while using the included Everio software.

This is driving me crazy. Can anyone get me pointed in the right direction, please.

Thank you in advance.