[MightyMing]

Hi

I'd be glad of any help on this issue as its been driving me nuts and I cant find a solution.
Basically, when I capture video footage (or even upload photos) into Magix Movie Edit Pro direct from my camcorder via Firewire it imports it as a 4:3 aspect ratio. This problem has not always been there and I cant seem to point to what has changed.
If I import another movie file (say a downloaded one) into Movie Edit Pro the aspect ratio seems fine. It is just with capture that I seem to have the problem.
I have tried re-installing the software but the problem persists. I've also been through all the software settings and everything seems to be set to 16:9 widescreen etc.
Any help would be gratefully appreciated on possible solutions. Unfortunately I do not know anyone with a PC that his firewire to try the same config to see if it is a PC problem or not!

[glesgaguyav]

Can't help with your particular program, does your cam capture true 16.9 footage? some cams don't capture true 16.9.

If it only captures 4.3 then displays it 16.9, then you will have to capture as 4.3 then convert/render as 16.9 in your editor.

There are also many free video capture programs you'll find links here
VideoHelp.com - Forum, Guides, Tools and hardware lists
It may be worth trying one just in case it's a problem with Magix Movie

[MightyMing]

Hi

Thanks for that. I'll try an alternate capture program. At least that will tell me if it is a Magix/Software problem!

Not sure how the cam captures the footage. All that I know is I used to be able to play captured footage in Magix without black bands at left and right and then burn DVD's that filled the screen on my widescreen TV. Now I get the black bands on both my laptop and TV displays. When I play the footage directly to the TV it also fills the display with no distortion so there is definitely something happening during the capture process that changes the properties/aspect ratio.

I also remember at some time in the past having to re-install a video driver - FFDSHOW? Someone else messed with my PC and I lost all video from Magix and other programs. Remember installing FFDSHOW and perhaps other drivers (?) that got the video back up running. Thinking back, the problem may have arose then. Is there any way a software driver not to do with the editing software could be causing an aspect ratio problem?

Thanks....

[glesgaguyav]

My first thought on your problem would have been to suggest that you should have your capture settings in your capture program set to 16.9, however you said that you had already done this.

Video editors gererally give the option to set the project at 16.9 or 4.3 before starting, it seems that Magix may be stuck in 4.3, magix could be relying on other codecs for this, I have no idea.

You could also try downloading a free trial of another editor like Corel Ulead Video Studio, it's fully functional has it's own capture program and will at least give you an idea of where your problem lies

[technoflare]

are you sure its 4:3 and not 16:9FH (anamophacally distorted)? also check with the footage if its cropping the picture left/right or showing more top/bottom. if its distorted then you need to change the aspect flag, if its cropping then as u say its down to the software or the camera, u sure the camera is set to output in 16:9?

[MightyMing]

Thanks for replies so far. This is what I think so far.......

Pretty sure its 4:3 and not 16:9 distorted. Images are not distorted and it is clearly 4:3 on the screen.
I've now tried a different camcorder and this is also captured as 4:3 even though it is set in 16:9 itself.
Also tried different video capture packages and they also capture in 4:3 even though set to capture in 16:9.
Hence, not sure if its some sort of problem with any driver or software installed generally on the PC!??!?!
The only thing I have not tried is my camcorder on another PC to try and isolate if that is the problem or not!

[MightyMing]

Just to further clarify the issue....

If I plug the camcorder into my 16:9 widescreen TV and just play back the footage it appears in 16:9 on the screen i.e. fills the screen with no distortion of the picture.

When I capture to pc it appears on PC screen in 4:3 ratio!

[adrianaitken]

MM - in 4:3 ratio is it squashed or are the sides clipped or are black bands on the top/bottom ?

Regards
Adrian

[MightyMing]

Hi mate.
The sides are clipped. It is NOT squashed.

[MightyMing]

Hi
Been doing further investigations.....

The camcorder is recording in 4:3. It does have a widescreen mode which I'v found after playing around. However, I've never used this mode before. So I am presuming that before this problem occurred the PC was capturing the footage in 4:3 but then when a DVD is burned it stretches to fit the screen (but did not distort).

But now when I record (after some mysterious event has occurred that I cant recall!!!) there are black bands at the side of the screen! Even when I record footage on my camcorder in the 16:9 mode and then capture this it displays and burns a 16:9 picture but still with black bands at the side!!

Hope this may shed some light on the problem!!

Thanks.........