(based on WTM FAQ)
We recommend that you use VLC media player, because it's free and simple to use.
- Download VLC here: videolan.org
- Install VLC on your computer
- Go to Tools > Preferences.
- Make sure you are in
the simple settings display
mode (bottom of window),
then click on the Video Settings thumbnail - Set your snapshot
directory
(default directory is My Documents / My Pictures on Windows) - Change the snapshot format for png, if needed
- Do not change any other setting
- Make sure both Crop and Aspect Ratio settings (in Video menu) are on "Default".
- Equip you DVD player with your recently bought DVD of the original movie
- Play the DVD with VLC media player
- When you've reached the shot you wish to take, go to Video > Snapshot
- The still will be saved in the directory you chose above
You should get a snapshot of either one of these sizes (width x height) :
- 1024x576 (that's a 16x9 video frame) if your DVD is PAL and 16x9 enhanced
- 853x480 (that's a 16x9 video frame too) if your DVD is NTSC and 16x9 enhanced
- 768x576 (that's a 4x3 video frame) if your DVD is PAL and *not* 16x9 enhanced
- 640x480 (that's a 4x3 video frame too) if your DVD is NTSC and *not* 16x9 enhanced
You might also get those (from Blu-ray discs) :
- 1920x1080 (that's a 16x9 video frame)
- 1280x720 (that's a 16x9 video frame too)
BUT, you WILL get a snapshot with 16x9 or 4x3 proportions.
If you don't, it's either because :
- your DVD software
settings are wrong, try to fix that
(if you use VLC and follow the instructions above, everything should be fine)
- you did not take your
snapshot from a DVD... which is
forbidden by WTM rules
Sample #1:
1.66:1 movie, DVD *not* enhanced for widescreen TVs (4x3)
Full size: 768x576 pixels, which is a 1.33:1 ratio (4x3).
The movie original aspect ratio is 1.66:1.
In order to maintain this ratio, the DVD studio added black bars on top and bottom.
1.66:1 movie, DVD enhanced for widescreen TVs (16x9)
Full size: 1024x576 pixels, which is a 1.78:1 ratio (16x9).
The movie original aspect ratio is 1.66:1.
In order to maintain this ratio, the DVD studio added black bars on left and right sides.
1.85:1 movie, DVD *not* enhanced for widescreen TVs (4x3)
Full size: 768x576 pixels, which is a 1.33:1 ratio (4x3).
The movie original aspect ratio is 1.85:1.
In order to maintain this ratio, the DVD studio added black bars on top and bottom.
1.85:1 movie, DVD enhanced for widescreen TVs (16x9)
Full size: 1024x576 pixels, which is a 1.78:1 ratio (16x9).
The movie original aspect ratio is 1.85:1.
In order to maintain this ratio, the DVD studio added tiny black bars on top and bottom.
Note:
Sometimes those tiny black bars are not even here.
Some DVD studios (such as Warner HV and Paramount HE) actually present 1.85:1 movies in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, without any black bars.
2.35:1 movie, DVD *not* enhanced for widescreen TVs (4x3)
Full size: 768x576 pixels, which is a 1.33:1 ratio (4x3).
The movie original aspect ratio is 2.35:1.
In order to maintain this ratio, the DVD studio added huge black bars on top and bottom.
2.35:1 movie, DVD enhanced for widescreen TVs (16x9)
Full size: 1024x576 pixels, which is a 1.78:1 ratio (16x9).
The movie original aspect ratio is 2.35:1.
In order to maintain this ratio, the DVD studio added black bars on top and bottom.
1.33:1 movie, DVD *not* enhanced for widescreen TVs (4x3)
Full size: 768x576 pixels, which is a 1.33:1 ratio (4x3).
The movie original aspect ratio matches the video frame.
