4:3 to 16:9 / Up-converting
 

I have some 1980's footage on DVD that I "ripped" (with permission) to a high quality .mov file that I am using in a HD documentary. The footage is native 4:3 but I would like it to be 16:9 or full screen on an HDTV. I've seen many newer documentaries that use old footage in the 16:9 aspect ratio without stretching it.

Is this done using some sort of 16:9 / Up-converting and what would be the best, most professional looking way I would do this?

Thanks.

ugg, you will be cropping out the top and bottom, and zooming up on it quite a bit to get it TO the 16x9 aspect without any letterbox/pillar box black gaps around it (and keeping the aspect). Zooming it up like that will only look "ok" on a normal definition tv, on a Big LCD tv its going to look far worse than Pillarboxing it.
Virtual Dubb will do all that stuff.

if i was in that situtuation i would try and pull the trick they would use for broadcasting something poorly done (like cell phones) in HD and crop it down a bit, instead of, not only having less resolution to begin with but then zooming up on that less resolution TOO. Frame it nice :-)

You can do it with Genuine Fractals... works pretty good...

Here is the tutorial...

onOne Software Knowledge Base Resizing Standard Definition Video Clips to High Definition

Here you go, this might help you using Virtualdub.

Mini DV 4.3 to HD 16.9 |upscalling with Virturaldub

Thanks for the info guys, I will look into both of these.