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 (http://www.ononesoftware.com/support/knowledgebase/2010/02/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 (http://www.hdvunderwater.com/upscaling.html)

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