Capturing Video: Display Size = Aspect Ratio?

[i2meek]

I videotape school events where I teach using a canon zr800 video camera with
the record setting at 16:9.

I have a windows xp computer with windows 5.1. When I choose Tools –
Options – Video Properties, it says “The video properties specify how video
is captured and movies are savedâ€. I select NTSC and 16:9.

However when I capture video from device, the dialogue box shows the Display
Size: 720 x 480.

Am I truly getting 16:9?

It doesn’t look proportional when I burn it to a dvd (using 16:9 setting in
dvd burning software) nor in the preview box while capturing in movie maker.

All the help I can find talks about having a choice of the display size
setting, after choosing my capture device but I can’t see such a setting
chioce anywhere.
Why don’t I have that choice in mine?

 

[PapaJohn]

DV-NTSC files are 720x480 pixels but not squares. If standard 4:3 aspect
ratio they are squeezed in sideways to 640x480. If widescreen 16:9 they are
stretched sideways to 856x480.

Different viewers or versions of them might show them at a mis-shaped
720x480 or at the appropriate squeezed/stretched sizes.

This is the simple story... if your camera letteboxes the video as it shoots
it, things are different.

 

[i2meek]

2 questions:

1. So is Windows Movie Maker saving my .avi file in 16:9 aspect ratio/format?
2. Why don't I have a choice of display size? The help files say i should.

 

[PapaJohn]

Tools > Options > Advanced tab > aspect ratio.... is what Movie Maker uses
when saving your movie.