Microsoft Windows Media - Nonsquare Pixel Test Files

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Nonsquare Pixel Test Files

Each set of test files below contains source AVI files that are specifically created with visual elements that demonstrate square and nonsquare pixels. When encoded as a WMV file with the proper Pixel Aspect Ratio (PAR), the circular objects in the picture should appear perfectly round.

Each of the following downloads contain multiple AVI source

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files, containing both Square and Nonsquare Pixel aspect ratio files (a PAR of 1 x 1 means that the source has square pixels). The source filename contains the Video Standard (PAL or NTSC) the "frame" aspect ratio (4 x 3 or 16 x 9) and the Pixel Aspect Ratio (PAR'_'x'_'). Examples of all of the commonly used PAR's are available below.

Use the Windows Media Encoder 9 Series to encode these source files as you would your own source content, specifying the appropriate PAR in the "Video Size" tab of the session properties (note: you will have to check the "Allow Nonsquare Pixel" checkbox in the Custom Encode Settings under the "Compression" tab to enable this.)

You will note that the circular objects in the source AVI files will look slightly oblong; but when viewed with the Windows Media Player 9 Series, the circular objects in the encoded files should look perfectly round. Sample encoded files are also available for download to compare with your own encodes.

Source_NTSC4x3.exe

This downloadable self extracting archive file contains the following source AVI files:

NTSC4x3_720x480_PAR10x11.avi
NTSC4x3_704x480_PAR10x11.avi
NTSC4x3_640x480_PAR1x1.avi
NTSC4x3_544x480_PAR20x17.avi
NTSC4x3_360x480_PAR16x9.avi
NTSC4x3_352x480_PAR20x11.avi
NTSC4x3_320x480_PAR2x1.avi

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(301 MB

1,428 min @ 28.8 Kbps)

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Encoded_NTSC4x3.exe

This downloadable self extracting archive file contains the same files as above, but as encoded Windows Media files instead of source AVI files.

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(1.75 MB

9 min @ 28.8 Kbps)

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Source_NTSC16x9.exe

This downloadable self extracting archive file contains the following source AVI files:

NTSC16x9_720x480_PAR40x33.avi
NTSC16x9_720x396_PAR1x1.avi
NTSC16x9_704x480_PAR40x33.avi
NTSC16x9_704x396_PAR1x1.avi
NTSC16x9_640x480_PAR4x3.avi
NTSC16x9_640x360_PAR1x1.avi
NTSC16x9_544x480_PAR80x51.avi
NTSC16x9_544x306_PAR1x1.avi
NTSC16x9_352x198_PAR1x1.avi
NTSC16x9_320x180_PAR1x1.avi

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(423 MB

2,010 min @ 28.8 Kbps)

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Encoded_NTSC16x9.exe

This downloadable self extracting archive file contains the same files as above, but as encoded Windows Media files instead of source AVI files.

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(2.39 MB

12 min @ 28.8 Kbps)

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Source_PAL4x3.exe

This downloadable self extracting archive file contains the following source AVI files:

PAL4x3_720x576_PAR12x11.avi
PAL4x3_704x576_PAR12x11.avi
PAL4x3_704x528_PAR1x1.avi
PAL4x3_544x576_PAR24x17.avi
PAL4x3_352x576_PAR24x11.avi
PAL4x3_352x288_PAR12x11.avi

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(241 MB

1,146 min @ 28.8 Kbps)

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Encoded_PAL4x3.exe

This downloadable self extracting archive file contains the same files as above, but as encoded Windows Media files instead of source AVI files.

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(1.49 MB

8 min @ 28.8 Kbps)

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Source_PAL16x9.exe

This downloadable self extracting archive file contains the following source AVI files:

PAL16x9_768x576_PAR4x3.avi
PAL16x9_720x576_PAR16x11.avi
PAL16x9_704x576_PAR16x11.avi
PAL16x9_544x576_PAR32x17.avi

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(219 MB

1,039 min @ 28.8 Kbps)

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Encoded_PAL16x9.exe

This downloadable self extracting archive file contains the same files as above, but as encoded Windows Media files instead of source AVI files.

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(1 MB

5 min @ 28.8 Kbps)

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