[calummuir]

Hi there,

I'm wondering if it would be possible to have true widescreen running in OS X. I have recently purchased a Widescreen projector and when in widescreen (16:9) the display is "stretched". I *can* view it in 4:3 but is there a way for the DVD Player in OS X to run in true widescreen, without the on screen remote appearing every time I move the cursor?

Are there any other apps (such as another DVD Playing software or mplayer alternative) that would do this sort of thing?

Many thanks,
Calum

[RevEvs]

DisplayConfigX lets you set the optupt to any resolution you want. Try using it to set the output to something of the correct widescreen ratio.

[RayK]

I personally don't use a projector, but when I go into the Display Settings I can set the resolution to a wide aspect. Try that. Also, if your connecting the computer to the projector via composite or s-video change the connection to VGA or, if the projector supports it, DVI. You will get a much better picture and it might help with the problem.

[calummuir]

Well I tried DisplayConfigX and there *is* an option for 16:9 but it's not working. RayK: I use a VGA to DVI cable for this projector, see, I'm on an iBook which means there is no DVI out.

I know getting widescreen on a PC is no bother, but what about a Mac, more specifically an iBooks VGA out? Might have to just get a PC then...

The only reason I am asking these questions was because I was surprised to see that Windows Media Player for the mac automatically adjusts the resolution for its video playback. Was wondering if there was any other Media player app (dvd/divx) that does this.

Thanks,
Calum

[calummuir]

FireFox, tsk. Keeps on hanging : )

Sorry for the repost.

[RevEvs]

as for DVD playing alternatives - VLC or Mplayer

[seanc]

Does your projector support VGA?

Why not try that and see if it gives you more options.

[calummuir]

seanc: My computer is connected to the projector via a VGA to DVI cable. The projector itself supports DVI which I am using. As I previously said, the projector when it is in widescreen mode, everything appears stretched. So I have to use 4:3 or live with the stretchyness. I guess getting something like a DVD player that supports HDMI -> DVI would be the only option to get the true widescreen effect.

Thanks for the help, people.

Calum

[TETENAL]

The DVD Player supports stretching/squeezing the video (in the Window->Video Zoom dialog). Can you use this to work around the problem?

[calummuir]

that's really good help, TETENAL, thanks very much. Do you know if there is a divx player that does the same thing? I'll have a look at the command line version of mplayer and see if it does.

Thanks alot,
Calum

[Cadaver]

Originally Posted by calummuir

seanc: My computer is connected to the projector via a VGA to DVI cable. The projector itself supports DVI which I am using. As I previously said, the projector when it is in widescreen mode, everything appears stretched. So I have to use 4:3 or live with the stretchyness. I guess getting something like a DVD player that supports HDMI -> DVI would be the only option to get the true widescreen effect.

Thanks for the help, people.

Calum

I doubt you are using digital DVI - you can't just convert VGA to DVI (DVI-D) via a simple cable, and your iBook doesn't have a DVI-D (or DVI-I) output.

What you might have is a cable with a VGA-style connector at one end and a DVI-A or DVI-I connector at the other. But either way, you're feeding the projector with an analog VGA signal, not a digital one.

HDMI wont help you. The HDMI system simply carries DVI-D compatible video (or HDCP-encrypted DVI in some cases) and multichannel audio over the same cable. Its got nothing to do with widescreen video, nor is it a video "format."

What you need is for your iBook to output its video at a resolution that is in a 16:9 aspect ratio. 1280x720 is what you'll want, and to do that you'll probably need a utility like DisplayConfigX or SwitchRes if your projector isn't sending the proper DDC code to the iBook (which it sounds like it isn't). You may be able to get away with 1280x768 with acceptable results as well. Otherwise, your projector is attempting to stretch your iBook's 1024x768 (4:3) video, which will result in the distortion you're seeing.

Addendum: There are several DVD players on the market that will output a digital video signal (either via a DVI or HDMI connector) and upconvert the 480p signal to a 720p or 1080i signal. I have one (a Sony DVD player who's model # I don't recall) upscaling to 720p and connected via an HDMI cable to my LCD-based 55" RPTV - it looks fantastic!

[calummuir]

Thank you Cadaver for such a detailed reply, I didn't know anything about how the VGA-DVI-A signal works. Thanks for that.

My projector doesn't handle anything above 1024*768, so should I just divide the resolution by a sixth or something (I haven't worked it out, but I will) until it reaches near 1024*768?

I have got the aspect ratios working under DVD Player for OS X, what I really want to do is to change the aspect ratio in mplayer, is this possible? So I can stretch the image horizontally and vertically - is it possible? I know you can do something like this in Linux with the .conf file but there is none. There *is* a file called "mplayer man" but nothing happens when I comment the bit of code in and set the attributes.

Thanks guys, it's just one more thing I could potentially get sorted out which is the idea of mplayer being able to strech its displayed image (this does not involve the projector, it's an mplayer issue I'm thinking about).

Calum

[calummuir]

Hi guys,

I had a poke around terminal and found the config file, I just added monitoraspect=16:9 to the file and everything works now.

Thanks for the help everyone.

-Calum

[nJm]

The easiest solution would have been to install the screen spanning hack. It 'unlocks' all the other resolutions the ATI card is capable of. Eg when I'm plugging my iBook into the TV (using the s-video adaptor) I use 1024x576 for PAL and 860x480 (or something like that) for NTSC. Works a treat.