[MPlayer-users] question concerning DAR and PAR

[Steven Miller]

I have a dvd (ntsc 740x480) that crops to 704x480 (704:480:8:0) which
changes the DAR from 1.78:1 to 1.74:1. The resulting resolution (on
playback) ends up being 836x480. Before anyone asks, I have been reading,
but it's lot to absorb! If I understand correctly, 836x480 maintains the
1.74:1 ratio?  Another question is, 1.74 indicates a non square pixel,
doesn't your typical monitor use square pixels? I'm confused as to what's
happening here.

If I wanted square pixels, would using the 'dsize' filter with a resolution
that is divisible by 16 (scale=-1:-10,dsize=704:400 (this ends up with a
resolution of 704x400 and a 1.76:1 ratio)) give me square pixels, while
maintaining a mathematically and visually correct encode?

 

Thanks in advance!