Need some help with export settings....

[Gerlinde]

I sent you a PM with the links.

Thanks Chuck

[Chuck Engels]

Got it, thanks.

[Gerlinde]

So this thread is going to have another happy ending after all.

PE7 is usable to put out a decent WMV HD file! As I was hunting for more interesting threads to add to the "HD Getting Started" topic, I came across this discussion http://muvipix.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=5557 and particularly this one http://muvipix.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=5522 were Robert Johnston said:

If you export as Progressive, you need to deinterlace your interlaced source if you are going to maintain the same dimensions.

.
This made literally the light bulb go on over my head ( or inside). I went back to my test clip in PE, right clicked and set <frames> to <always deinterlace> and tried sharing to PC with WMV HD 1440X1080 (no changes) again. And sure enough, it looks great this time.

So the detour to Windows Movie Maker for file conversion is not needed after all.

[Chuck Engels]

I love it when things come together like that
Thanks for reporting back with your findings Gerlinde, and thanks again to RJ for supplying the solution