Workflow Help- 16:9 SD into a 4:3 SD

[brentjenkins]

Greetings,

I'm working on a project that we are shooting in a Widescreen SD (16:9) format. The final edit will be a Standard SD (4:3) where the widescreen source will be viewed with the typical black bars (letterbox) at the top and bottom of the screen. We'll be placing titles into this area.

I've done a proof of concept video bringing the 16:9 source material into a Matrox SD project. The interesting thing is the source material is insisting on being rendered.

Is there a better way to be doing this? (In other words, any way to avoid the rendering step?)

Thanks!
Brent

[cmbrougham]

Brent,

I'm assuming you're working in DV. If you plan to finish in LB 4:3, capture your 16:9 footage in a 4:3 project, and then apply the Matrox Pan and Scan effect. I don't remember the exact settings right off the top of my head, but basically, you can conform the full-height anamorphic (FHA) 16:9 to letterboxed 4:3. The effect will vertically squeeze the footage down to the correct aspect ratio, and it should play back realtime.

Good luck!

[utah]

If you're placing titles into the black letterbox section, then it's easiest to import your 16:9 final project avi back into a 4:3 project, resize so the edges are touching the new 4:3 edge (making black at the top and bottom of your widescreen video) and use titles over the black part. Pan and scan works great if you want to fill up the whole viewing area. But, if you plan on having black bars at the top and bottom always, and need titles or your web site there, this is a good way to do it.