DVD; screen formats

[Khandro]

When playing a DVD recorded from TV on my computer, how can I alter the format from say 4:3 to 16:9 proportions ? please.

[Postdog]

You will need to elaborate on what equipment you have I reckon. Are you recording in 4:3 though?

[Khandro]

Uncertain, - I can adjust my TV screen to any format, then simply record. in playback on my TV I can re-adjust to whatever, so I don't know what I am recording IN - it isn't a problem, but when I playback on my pc I get a stretched image and can't see a facility to adjust it. It just struck me that there may be a way on the monitor?

[rojash]

Most DVD player programs offer the facility to set the aspect ratio, but as you haven't told us what program you are using to play the DVD on your computer, it's kind of difficult to advise.

[Khandro]

Thanks for the response, -I've been out all day- I am playing the DVD on Windows Media Player.

[AlBags]

All Direct Show players obtain their format from original file info in the file header. Some files are not coded correctly so will not display properly (squashed or stretched) Unfortunately, WMP is not a lot of good for anything.
You would be better using Classic Media Player, VLC Player or Zoom Player as a default front end player. You can adjust the playback format on all of these (4:3, 16:9, Letterbox, etc)
WMP .. you can't without a lot of hassle.

[Khandro]

Just installed classic media player - cock-up! Had something called Babylon took control, lost my homepage, tried to remove my AVG protection etc. so I have removed it all and am back with windows media player, probably will have to accept stretched images.

[rojash]

"and am back with windows media player, probably will have to accept stretched images."

Use VLC:
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

[AlBags]

Where the heck did you download Classic Media Player from?
That must have been an infected site.
There is no spyware or problems in CMP.

Malware authors depend on Google searches and the naivety of users, unfortunately .. to deliver their payloads.

Try again here ..
http://www.free-codec..._Classic_download.htm

[Khandro]

As you probably gather I'm pretty lo-tech. I downloaded rojash's link to VLC (thanks) and once again I lost my Google UK, browser home page, picked up an unwanted toolbar, and got a "Threat removed" message from AVG, so I uninstalled it. All this,and all I want to do is change onscreen proportions, surely windows must be able to support this?

[daffy654]

You are installing bloatware when you install the programs, you need to untick the options in the installer. If the toolbars still get installed just remove them via add/ remove programs. There is no need to uninstall the video player.

[daffy654]

One more thing... AVG is a load of rubbish in my opinion, you would do better to download Microsoft Security Essentials from here: http://windows.micros...om/en-GB/windows/home