Aspect Ratio

[p_sapper]

Have latest server update (plexmediaserver_1.18.3.2156) and several different players from windows to android (all up to date).

Recently Home videos recorded via my Panasonic HDD recorder in SD quality automatically play in 4:3 ratio yet are recorded in 16:9. I can’t seem to find any settings anywhere (server/player) to change this. Any player outside of Plex does play it correctly, just not Plex.

Any suggestions are very welcome.

Thanks

Peter

[SE56]

You will need to post the xml file for one of titles that play incorrect

[p_sapper]

Thanks For your reply, can’t find any XML file(s).
Any hint where to find them?
Movies are recorded and saved as MPG files.

Cheers.

[SE56]

Right bottom of the poster in the server, scroll down to info

[p_sapper]

Brilliant ! XML|690x230

[SE56]

As I thought [anamorphic widescreen] is being converted to 4:3 aspect ratio.

You can change it if you use Handbrake

Reference:

Freeview (New Zealand)

[p_sapper]

Thanks a lot. Looks good.

Just before I google all day, Handbrake, does that need to be server based, is it a app within plex or can it run as windows client?

Peter

[SE56]

It’s cross platform and free, a separate app just save your file to storage after removing the original. Don’t bin it till you have got it right

https://handbrake.fr/

[p_sapper]

Thanks Buddy, Didn’t expect to have this solved that quick.

What I don’t understand is that the same file (from the plex server) is played in windows media player or VLC in the correct aspect Ratio. If it is an plex issue I hope they fix it soon.
Many days of converting ahead !!

Thanks for your help.
Peter

[SE56]

On a search it seems it’s a very old issue

[JuiceWSA]

You can, eventually, fix it in Handbrake, but it takes a complete recode - and that could take hours.

Then there is the HB learning curve - that could take months, or minutes, depending where you look:

What settings should a newbie use for transcoding ripped bluray mkv files with handbreak?

Start with the Basic HD profile - you can delete everything else - all crap. Then do this, exactly, make a 240 second ‘Preview’ and see what you think. File Sizes will be consistent at about 1.4G per hour. My eyeballs stop seeing improvement above about 3250kbps, so I give it 3750 and call it a day. Your eyeballs may require something different. Make a 4 minute preview and decide for yourself. [HB-Help1] [HB-Help2] [HB-Help3] Of course, you should create an audio track that will Direct Play.…

If you only have a few of these items that misbehave, you may just want to use the Zoom function of your TV - 'cause that’s basically why it’s there. It’s not dynamic, so be sure to ‘unzoom’ after watching.