Desktop Plus 2.6 and divx/xvid aspect ratio

[anoneemus]

Ok I've looked all over this site and haven't found a definitive answer. All I want to know is that if it's possible now with desktop plus 2.6, if I transfer an xvid from my pc to my tivohd will it play in the proper aspect ratio? In other words will it take up the whole screen of a wide screen tv instead of playing with black bars in 4:3 mode? This is keeping me from using this feature. I'd much rather use my tivo for this than my xbox.

[TexasGrillChef]

I haven't tried this. I usually use another program to convert all my Xvid/Divx files into true MPG2 prior to transfer to my Tivo.

The reason being. is TiVo Desktop has to covert the Xvid/Divx file to MPG2 prior to transfer to the Tivo anyways. This conversion process slows the trasnfer speed down. In addition to that, TiVo Desktop doesn't do as good a job of conversion as other programs do. Ie... I get better picture & sound quality by converting the files to MPG2 myself instead of letting TiVo Desktop do it.

TGC

I found Three programs (not free) that do the BEST job of coverting from many different formats to HD Mpg2, or SD MPG2 are:

Ulead VideoStudio Plus 11 with free HD add on pack.
Ulead Moviefactory plus 6 with Free HD add on Pack.
Roxio Easy Media creater 10

Nero does a great job. I just don't like the user interface as well.

[edrock200]

Have you hit the aspect button on your tivo remote to put it in zoom mode?

[anoneemus]

Have you hit the aspect button on your tivo remote to put it in zoom mode?

yeah, I'm not talking about that. that cuts off some at the top and bottom.

[euckersw]

From what I've noticed so far, the Divx/Xvid file will be displayed in it's native resolution. However, for Divx/Xvid files that I have from torrents, the native resolution is typically somewhere around 624 width x 352 height, therefore the picture does not fill the screen. It's possible I'm doing something wrong thought, so I'm interested to hear what other people have found.

[TexasGrillChef]

If you CONVERT the file with another program such as:

Ulead VideoStudio Plus 11 with free HD add on pack.
Ulead Moviefactory plus 6 with Free HD add on Pack.
Roxio Easy Media creater 10

Prior to letting TiVo Desktop convert and transfer to your Tivo then the above programs will "Streatch" any video that isn't allready in the proper display size.

TiVo Desktop will not stretch or shrink any video to "Fit" a 16:9 screen. It will simply convert (if needed) and transfer the video in it's original format.

If your downloading divx/xvid off the internet it isn't always in 4:3 or even 16:9 format. Also keep in mind that NOT all movies are filmed in 16:9 format. That even on DVD/Blu-Ray some movies are STILL in letterbox. Especially those movies in a 2.35:1 format.

If you want to fill the screen and "Stretch" your video. Any of the programs I listed will do that in the conversion process if you tell it too.

Works just fine for me.

TGC

P.S.
Remember that ANY file format (supported) other then HD Mpg2, & SD Mpg2 WILL be converted by TiVo Desktop before transfer.