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Converting Anamorphic footage to Square Pixel
Hello,
First off, I am not sure if this is in the right spot but here goes.I have some footage that I was given by a client. I am going to be using it in composites, Maya scenes, etc. Most of the footage is Anamorphic and I would like to convert it to square pixels because it seems easier to work with. The end product will also mostly be used on the web, so I think square pixels would work better. Even if I want to go back to anamorphic DVD, I could just convert the end product correct?
My main question is what would be the best way to convert? What would the resolution be? Can I do this in Compressor and just set up a preset so I can bulk convert the footage?
Thanks in advance and feel free to ask questions if I have not been clear enough.
Tim
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7 Replies
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anamorphic video in square pixels is 864×480 or 854×486.
choose which one to whatever the footage is that you get (480 or 486)
in after effects you can interpret the footage as square pixel easily
that way.not sure right off-hand how that would be done in compressor, so just
look for the pixel aspect settings. -
Firstly, I am surprised Maya can’t work with anamorphic footage.
I presume you are in standard def but you don’t specify NTSC or PAL so I am guessing NTSC (even though most of the world is PAL).
If you want to batch convert, then Compressor is probably your best bet, although others here may have better ideas. To calculate the conversion, you can either use a calculator or there are many free aspect converters like this one.
https://www.digitalrebellion.com/aspect_calc.htm
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Your picture will lose a generation with no need.
Let the application you will use to manage the pixels aspect.
The only thing you need to do on exporting is to keep the 16 x 9 proportion.
Rafael -
[Michael Gissing] “Firstly, I am surprised Maya can’t work with anamorphic footage.”
it renders 3d frames at any size resolution or frame rate.
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i didnt mean to say that the programs i am using CANT do anamorphic. its just that some of my footage is anamorphic, and some is not, so I want to make them as uniform as possible. plus i find that using funky pixel aspects it can be a bit tricky to keep everything straight. if i can make everything square pixels, it just seems like it would be much easier.
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[tim litostansky] “so I want to make them as uniform as possible”
This do not justify a generation lost. Applications works well with different kind pixels as long as they are properly interpreted.
You better plan your production from the beginning according with the final delivery format.
Rafael -
Just an update. As suggested in the last post, I went through very carefully and I think I have worked out a system to keep the footage as is and still have everything work. thanks for the help!
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