[Max from Leices]

When I upload video taken on my little JVC mini DV camcorder to my pc using Windows Movie Maker, or to my Mac using iMovie HD, I have trouble playing it back in widescreen. Most players like RealPlayer just play it back as 4:3 not 9:6. How can I guarantee it will be viewed as widescreen if I send someone a file of the movie.

On the Mac, VLC Media Player opens in 4:3 but at least you can tell it to change to widescreen. Seems strange that it is not automatically recognised as widescreen.

Any suggestions please.

[jaymac]

Whats the problem with WMM its just Tools>options > 16:9

[Max from Leices]

I think Windows Movie Maker imported it in as widescreen using the options yopu just highlighted, but it was when I played it on other players that it reverted to 4:3.

I don't think WMM is the default player on a pc, isn't it just used for editing ?

[jaymac]

Correct its not a player as such but once you captured the Vid as 16:9you must have saved (exported) and did that say it was still 16:9

[Max from Leices]

Windows Movie Maker did play back in 9:6, it's just some of the other players don't seem to support 9:6. I think that's probably because you're suppose to pay for an upgrade, then you get the extra bells and whistles, not much good though if you're sending the movie to a mate who hasn't got the upgraded software.

What file format is the best to choose for exporting it out of Windows MovieMaker, should I choose WMV.

And while we're here what's the best file format for keeping it for future editing, bearing in mind that I've got a a big enough external harddrive to take the finished file.

[jaymac]

My exported movies from Wmm play as 16:9 in both Vlc and windows media player by default
If you are exporting to send by email then then wmv best quality possibly governed by the file size Vs quality
For permanent saving keep as DV if you have the space

[Max from Leices]

Thanks Jaymac, I'll reboot to pc and try it.