4:3 video streams that aren't

[gconnery]

It's pretty common in cable anyway to use frame sizes that aren't 4:3 even though the sample is to be rendered on a 4:3 TV set.  So you might have a 4:3 sample that has a resolution of 640 x 480 (correct) but you would in fact more often see 544 x 480 or 352 x 480.  Anyway, these all play just fine if you send them to any cable STB I'm aware of (MOTs, SAs, Pioneer, Pace, Amino...).

However, when I play a 352 x 480 baseline AVC sample on Elecard's current player (4.0.4) with the current AVC plugin, I see a video that is squished (too narrow) vertically.  The player should really be expanding this up to the right aspect ratio before displaying it.

The sample AVC file I'm using DOES have the optional VUI parameters present and specifies the aspect ratio correctly.

[vlad_marchenko]

The proportions of  the video window can be adjusted in Elecard MPEG Player by the following way:
1) In main window of the player click on "Settings" button to open "Settings" window.
2) In left area with settings tree click on the "Video" labeled node.
3) Refer to the area labeled "Initial proportions" in the right part of "Settings" window to adjust proportions of the video window. There three possible options for your choice:

a) By Pixel - Playback will be displayed as "pixel by pixel" initial proportions.
b) By Aspect Ratio - Sets playback starting by aspect ratio initial proportions.
c) By Custom Ratio - Forces custom aspect ratio.

[gconnery]

I had it set to "By Ratio" and it wasn't displaying correctly.  I set it to "Custom" and 4:3 and it did correct the display.  

That does work, thanks.

However, I still think you have a bug to fix.  The sample I'm using is clearly labelled as a 4:3 sample.  It has the optional VUI header with the aspect_ratio_idc set to 1, which according to my reading of the h.264 standard suggests a 640x480 4:3 frame without overscan...

[vlad_marchenko]

Probably, you are right and have a bug to fix. But in order to do this we need to have your stream. Could you give us a link to your file or contact us by e-mail <tsup@elecard.net.ru> to get a link to our ftp-server?
Thank you in advance for collaboration.