Aspect and Display Calculator

musicvid10 wrote on 8/26/2013, 8:26 AM
After a lot of confusion on another forum over ratios and display aspect, I decided to write a little (24Kb zipped) Excel 2000 calculator for personal use. Among other things, it calculates aspect ratios and output dimensions instantly from the source dimensions, taking into account cropping, DAR, and Modulus, using sensible rounding techniques.

There are full instructions by clicking on the column headers. Fixed templates include popular HD and DVD formats. There are over 200 user lines available, and the spreadsheet is preformatted for most printers. If I've done my work this afternoon, it should be bulletproof.

If some knowledgeable users want to download, test, debug, and share comments, I will appreciate the feedback. In any event, it's free for noncommercial use. Latest (beta) version will always be here:

[link down for repairs]

Comments

vkmast wrote on 8/26/2013, 2:41 PM
Downloaded and noted further comments by musicvid on the Pro forum thread.
Markk655 wrote on 8/26/2013, 7:24 PM
Nice addition to our world....

I tried out some crop calculations with anamorphic 1440x1080. It is a good, clear lesson to new editors just by watching the interplay (or lack thereof) between the values.

I like the validation in the custom height cells to confirm if that the user wants a height greater than the original height. I know the embedded help warns against it, but it is nice to be doubly sure.

It might be a handy all-purpose tool if you add in a bitrate calculator for DVD and BluRay too. Just a thought.
musicvid10 wrote on 8/27/2013, 12:22 AM
Well, I already did a bitrate calculator for handbrake users, you can get it here . . .
http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20519276/Handbrake%20Bitrate%20Calculator.xls

The "newer and improveder" model of the aspect calculator will be up tomorrow sometime, the suggestions have helped to streamline it quite a bit, I think. Maybe Kimberly will be kind enough to write the "Help" instructions once it settles . . .
;?)
Markk655 wrote on 8/27/2013, 8:22 AM
Yes, you did :) I was just wondering if you want to combine them (for example on a different worksheet)?

musicvid10 wrote on 8/27/2013, 9:46 AM
No harm in putting it on a separate tab. Check here this evening.
musicvid10 wrote on 8/27/2013, 9:25 PM
New testversion is up; lots of streamlining thanks to suggestions! Cleaner UI, color code legend, new tooltips, and several little fixes. Presets are now in a dropdown.

Still haven't updated the bitrate calc, so stay tuned.

Link is the same:
[link down for repairs]
Markk655 wrote on 8/27/2013, 9:46 PM
Musicvid,

When I try to enter one of the HD presets (or any cell in column A), it gives me an error (protection), but I can't unprotect the sheet due to password protection.
musicvid10 wrote on 8/27/2013, 10:03 PM
Try a fresh download. I just now changed a couple of things.

The presets are only selectable via a drop-down list, and you can't change values in the yellow cells. I found some accidentally locked cells in the white user text column.

Post right back if you still have problems.
musicvid10 wrote on 8/28/2013, 10:27 AM
Link is working now (spelling error).
Do let me know how it works for you.
mike_in_ky wrote on 8/28/2013, 1:07 PM
I am using Excel 2003 and when I try to select a preset from the drop down list, I get a window message saying I can't change anything. How can I select anything but 1080HV?
musicvid10 wrote on 8/28/2013, 9:16 PM
Ok, that explains quite a few of the responses. It was created in xl 2000 and works there, so I'll have to find a newer version and resave. I had no idea this could happen.

mike, would you be willing to run some tests on your system and make recommendations? I'll be glad to send you a password-free copy.
Without the protection, the formulas get wiped out the first time you input data.
My username without the 10 at gmail will reach me.