I have a company presentation in original avi format. I need to convert it to a wmv file. The original file dimensions are 720 x 480. I kept the same dimensions when I converted it and the wmv file when played is a lot wider.

It seems that though the original file is 720 it plays in the media player at 640 and has a aspect ration of 4:3.

So, since I don't want it wider than it should be should I convert it using dimensions of 640 x 480?

Kent,

Yes, there is a setting in Windows Media Encoder to resize as it encodes. For 4:3, resize to 640x480. For 16:9, resize to 854x480.

Josh

Okay thanks.

If the file dimensions in the properties says 720x480 why does it play it as 640x480.

Is there not a setting where like the avi it is converted as 720x480 but plays as 640x480. I just feel like it's going to be distorted in some way. Thanks.

DV-AVIs are encoded with a Pixel Aspect Ratio (PAR). It is either 0.9 for 4:3 or 1.2 for 16:9. It basically means that the 720x480 pixels are not square pixels. So, viewing it as 720x480 is the distortion, it should be 640x480.

Is there not a setting where like the avi it is converted as 720x480 but plays as 640x480. I just feel like it's going to be distorted in some way. Thanks.
From the Windows Media Encoder help file

To preserve the pixel aspect ratio of video

On the toolbar, click Properties, click the Compression tab, and then click Edit.

On the General tab, select the Allow nonsquare pixel output check box, and then click OK.

Click the Video Size tab, and then in Pixel aspect ratio, specify the pixel aspect ratio of your input video. If you are using a custom pixel aspect ratio, the values you type must be between 1 and 255.