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Editing Anamorphic Sequence to Tape
Hi,
I’m in the middle of outputting my first anamorphic project. I’d like to edit to tape from an anamorphic sequence to a Panasonic AJ 1400 (via FW) and record on DVCPro HD 720p, at my client’s request.
My client is unsure whether he’d like the final program on tape to be full 16×9 or anamorphic. I’m not sure we’re asking the right question, but even so – Do you have suggestions as to how to accomplish either format on tape, or reasons to go one way or the other?
When I edit to tape using the existing sequence and settings, the image looks letterboxed. Is that correct?
Thank you,
E
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6 Replies
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What are the details of your sequence settings and what has been your workflow to get from that to the DVCPro HD sequence?
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Thanks for your willingness to help.
The files are 720×486, ingested with ProRes 422, and the sequence mirrors those settings. I haven’t converted to a DVCPro HD sequence, I just hope to go directly from the anamorphic timeline to DVCPro HD (or really, 16×9) tape. When I’ve tested that, with the deck set to record 720p, I get a letterboxed program. But when I re-ingest (capture) those letterbox programs, they’re 16×9, with a sliver of black pillaring outside out title safe. So I guess my question is, when I’m editing to tape from my sequence and seeing letterbox, is that what I should be seeing if my goal is 16×9 masters? And, alternatively, how would I lay an anamorphic sequence to tape so the program looks anamorphic?
Thanks again…
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You need to convert the SD timeline into DVCProHD. There are many ways to do this. Personal preference would be to export a QT movie using current settings.
Bring that file into Compressor and make a 1280 x 720p quicktime. Drop that into a matching sequence and then do the playout to tape. This should scale everything correctly and convert the anamorphic timeline into a square pixel 1280 x 720.
Compressor does a better job of scaling the image up from SD to HD.
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Outstanding, thank you. I’ll do that.
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Note that DVCPRO HD is an anamorphic format. So recording DVCPRO HD back to tape, as DVCPRO HD…it will have to be anamorphic. No two ways about it. 720p is 960×720. 1080i is 1280×1080. There is no such thing as full raster DVCPRO HD.
If you want a full quality DVCPRO HD master, it will be anamorphic. If you letterbox it, it will be letterboxed AND squeezed. Really odd.
Shane
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Thanks for the clarification Shane. I have been lucky to avoid DVCProHD for most of my career.
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