16:9 resize to 4:3 in FCP??

[Bbalser]

I shoot exclusively in DVCPRO-HD 720p24 and edit it natively. When making the files for DVD authoring, in Compressor, I select “SD (Automatic)” and let it go to town. I end up with better looking images than when I used to shoot/edit native SD all the way through. Once downconverted in Compressor (and Compressor does a super great job for my work) to SD, it’s not full HD quality, no, BUT it is better quality than if I had shot it in SD.

Just remember to shoot your HD master with the SD 4:3 size in mind. In other words, when you go to full screen SD, the left and right sides of the image will be cut out. Plan for that when framing up shots, and you’re good to go!

I moved from the DVX100 to the HVX200, did a LOT of testing of things before I decided that the straight forward method I’ve presented is pretty much the best method. Don’t worry, you’ll end up with better video images than had you shot with SD to begin with.

Oh, one last note, the book “Compressor Quick-Reference Guide” has some fantastic info in it on this conversion process, and will give you more details about doing the convertion in Compressor than I can give here. And when you can get it for around $23 on-line, I think it’s a MUST-HAVE for all FCP users.

And finally, I have done both of these, got same results either way, and great results at that. A) Drop HD 16:9 Sequence into an SD 4:3 Sequence, size and line it up for full screen (not letterbox), Render, Export. B) Use the Frame controls and such in Compressor to do the sizing (again, the “Compressor Quick-Start Guide” will be needed to learn the details of doing it). Either way, I get better images then shooting/editing native SD.

[Steve Eisen]

By the time you get the HPX-500, FCP Studio 2 will have shipped. Shoot in HD place your HD footage in a DV NTSC sequence and FCP 6 will do the work for you.

Steve Eisen
Eisen Video Productions
Director-At-Large
Chicago Final Cut Pro Users Group

[Bbalser]

I disagree, put it in a native HD Sequence, have the extra color space to grade and manipulate, then go to SD. And SD Sequence cuts off all that extra great color space and image size to work with in post. Just my personal preference.

[Bill Thomas]

Thanks for the great info! BTW, do you have to shoot in 24p (at 720)? Or can you go 720/30p?

Thanks again

[Bbalser]

With the HVX200 I can shoot 720p30, also. Very worth checking out. It’s not a camera for everybody and every situation, but for the work I do, it’s fantastic. I’ve had 2 VERY experienced editors, reviewing my work, comment about how digital will never look like film, and freak when I tell them what they’re looking at was shot with this camera. It is NOT a point and shoot in full auto mode camera, no, not at all! You really have to learn it and use it properly. It’ll give you garbage images as easily as it will give you great images. I highly recommend Barry Green’s books on the camera if you get it. They’re available on-line from B&H Photo/Video.

[Winston A. cely]

I work in a similar process to how bblaser works, but I’d like to add to this. Working in the infomercial world, I have to use tons of titles, so to make sure I stay in my 4:3 framing when adding titles, I use a great plug-in from Digital Heaven. It’s a 4:3 title safe generator you can use in 16:9 timelines. This way you can make sure that everything is in title safe!

https://www.digital-heaven.co.uk/fcplugins/dh_widesafe.php

“If God could do the tricks we can do, He’d be a happy Man.” – Peter O’Toole – “The Stuntman”

Machine Model: Mac Pro 2x3GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon
L2 Cache (per CPU): 4 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Final Cut Studio 5.1.4

[Boyd Mccollum]

Hey bbalser,

a quick question, I can see the advantages of the higher resolution to work with, but isn’t the color space the same in HD and SD? DVCProHD is 4:2:2, but many SD codecs are also 4:2:2 (uncompressed 8bit comes to mind).

Thanks,

Boyd

[Bbalser]

SD and HDV are the same 4:1:1 color space, but DVCPRO-HD is 4:2:2.

[Bbalser]

“uncompressed SD codecs are also 4:2:2” To be realistic, how many DV cameras on the market are recording SD uncompressed to their tapes? Not to mention the smaller size and lack of detail SD uncompressed picks up compared to HD uncompressed (or even compressed), HDV not being included.