Thanks one and all for your comments.
I am going to video a circle and then a square, which will show up any abnormalties in aspect ratio in the final production.

I hesitate to use wmv in spite of the fact that one , apparently, will produce a 4:3 final DVD product. The compression has to lose detail.

I will report result, FYI

Where is Stockport? Sounds like an adventurous place.