How I create16x9 widescreen DVD-Videos from an original HD source “Digital Cable” live or previously recorded

 

Equipment used:

Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8000HD Personal Video Recorder (SA8000HD PVR)

Panasonic DVD Video Recorder (DVD-VR) using DVD-RAM media

Personal Computer DVD Burner with at least DVD-RAM media read support

 

Software used:

Windows’XP Professional

Panasonic DVD-MovieAlbum SE v3

DVDPatcher v106

Ffmpeg

DVD-Lab Standard v1.3

Nero Burning Rom v6

 

  1. Switch the SA8000HD PVR to standard definition
    IMPORTANT: this is required to enable the S-Video output which would be connected to the S-Video input of the DVD-VR.  Do not use the “Quick Settings: Picture Format”

    IMPORTANT: before continuing, be sure the video you are going to record is in HD format (720p/1080i widescreen)

  2. Set the SA8000HD PVR’s “Quick Settings: Picture Size” to “Stretch”
     IMPORTANT: if you don’t the recording will be 4:3 letterboxed – not what we want

  3. Set the DVD-VR to the input of the S-Video (e.g. Input 1) and “Record Mode” to what you prefer (e.g. SP – 2 Hrs)
    IMPORTANT: be sure you are using DVD-RAM media

  4. Play the HD content on the SA8000HD and start recording on the DVD-VR

  5. Once recording is finished, edit-out any unwanted material (e.g. commercials) using the DVD-VR’s “Shorten Segment” or “Divide Program”

  6. Now on the PC start DVD-MovieAlbumSE and export the program you just recorded, the video will appear to be stretched – this is what we want, like shown below


  7. Now use DVDPatcher v106, load in the MPG file, set the “Aspect Ratio” to 16:9, “Bitrate” to 8.0 and “Patch” to Entire file

    NOTE:  It is important to select the same size for Horizontal/Vertical Size and Frame Rate as in the original recording

  8. Once the MPG file has been processed play the file in your PC’s DVD Video Player and now you will see true widescreen, like shown below


  9. If you want Dolby Digital 2.0 audio, use Ffmpeg to convert the audio stream of the MPG file into a separate AC3 file

 

  1. When authoring your DVD make sure you set your project to 16x9

  2. When all is done and burned on to a DVD Video disc it will automatically play 4:3 letterboxed on standard televisions and widescreen on 16x9 televisions – PERFECT’O

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