Hello,
I have a vob file with dimensions 720:480, when I drag in in VLC latest version, it is played at 720:540.
The media info menu tells the correct size, but I am not able to play it at that size.
The screenshot is wrong too.
The file is played well in Media Player Classic and Gom Player. Their screenshots are correct too. [...]
There is your problem. Media Player Classic and Gom Player do not display DVD resolutions correctly, or any anamorphic video for that matter.
VLC Player does.
[...] So, VLC invents some interpolated horizontal lines to reach the 4:3 aspect ratio?[...]
No, VLC does not 'invent some interpolated horizontal lines'.
Your VOB is from a 4:3 (1.33:1) AR DVD. The video is stored in an NTSC 720x480, but DVD players (just like VLC Player) will correctly use the DAR (display aspect ratio) to resize it to the proper AR during playback instead of the NTSC or PAL SAR (storage aspect ratio). 720x540 is the proper display AR for that VOB. (720/540=1.33). Some other players will resize a 4:3 NTSC DVD to 640x480 to accomplish the same thing (640/480=1.33). Either is correct, but playing it at 720x480 is not (720/480=1.50).
Here's a relevant quote found via google in an application support section that explains the difference between a DVD's stored video resolution and the DAR during playback in a proper player...
The dimensions as defined by the Picture Standards for DVD videos are as follows:
Picture Standard | DVD Video Dimension
NTSC | 720 x 480 pixels
PAL | 720 x 576 pixels
DVD Video and Display Aspect Ratio
Both NTSC and PAL videos have aspect ratios that do not match aspect ratio for Television, HDTV or Cinemascope movies. Then how can you play back a DVD and see the video in the correct aspect ratio? Each DVD video has a Display Aspect Ratio, which instructs the player (DVD player or software program) what aspect ratio to use when playing back the video.
If DVD video is intended to be played on standard television, it has a Display Aspect Ratio of 4:3. Even though the dimensions of the DVD video are either 720 x 480 pixels or 720 x 576 pixels, it is displayed with an aspect ratio of 4:3. This lets DVDs be played with the correct aspect ratio, even though all their video is stored with standard dimensions.
^ That's exactly what VLC Player does, and fwiw so will PowerDVD or KMPlayer, but MPC and GOM Player will not.
How do I check what is the correct aspect ratio to display and what is the standard (NTSC or other)?
Dropping the VOB into GSpot will tell you the DAR:
GSpot Codec Information Appliance
http://www.headbands.com/gspot/