[mythtv-users] Burned to DVD, plays 4:3 in DVD players, but 16:9 in MythTV, how do I get it letterboxed?

[ffrr]

Stuart Morgan wrote:

>OK ... stretching my mind a little, a DVD can come in a couple of formats - 
>Pan&Scan and Letterbox. Pan&Scan will take a 16:9 format but show it at 4:3 
>with cropping on a normal TV. Letterbox shows it with horizontal black bars. 
>*
>
>Although this ability is enabled on the DVD it is usually controlled by the 
>DVD player. Check the options for your standalone player just for interest.
>  
>
I can do that, but would be reluctant to change it, as commercial DVD's 
play letterboxed.  I'd like to make the ones I burn be the same as the 
commercial ones so I don't have to change the DVD player's settings each 
time.



>Alternatively you can pass options to dvdauthor to disable pan&scan mode thus 
>forcing the player to use letterbox. Do dvdauthor --help and look at the 
>--video= options.
>
>i.e. dvdauthor -o DVD --video=nopanscan 1.mpg
>
>* I'm no expert on this subject and there is more to the subject of DVD aspect 
>ratios but I think this should answer your question.
>  
>

Sounds like a good place to start.  I never knew that the DVD could 
determine whether the player could pan&scan or not.  Lot's to learn...

Thank you.