blurry text

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

This is one of THE most-misunderstood situations with FCP (or FCEx):

It is essential when attempting to monitor the QUALITY of images… that you use an external NTSC VIDEO Monitor (or PAL, if that’s where you are).
Especially after you render…
the Canvas is never high-quality (by design) and should not be used to make determinations of image quality of clips or graphics.

VERY IMPORTANT:

If you position the graphics, make SURE the VERTICAL setting for each KEY-FRAME (start, stop or hold) is always a EVEN INTEGER. (examples: 4, not 3 / -144, not -143.27 / 336, not 335.62)

I sometimes forget to check this and I can end up with images that look fuzzy when in-position.

This info applies to re-positioning ANYTHING on the Timeline: moving video, freeze-frames, internally-generated titles, and imported graphics.

It can be quite detrimental to the quality of your final output to not double-check this every time you reposition and/or re-size an image.

[Toonman]

Yeeeehaawwww! That did it. What a wonderful little secret to share! If I may access your vast knowledge one more time, as I understand it exporting to a final digital output (dvd, cd-rom, web, cell phones, etc) does not require to stay within title safe as those media display full screen. Is that correct? Just checking before I finish with all this text – no need to reposition if I can help it. I won’t be going to broadcast for this project at all. Am I safe to go outside title safe? Thanks again so much,
Rick

[Walter Biscardi]

[Toonman] “Am I safe to go outside title safe? Thanks again so much,”

Not for anything that will play back on a regular TV. I.e. the DVD played back on a computer will show you the full screen, but if you play that same DVD on a regular TV, you will lose a percentage of the image on the edges. Best to stay inside Title Safe for anything playing back on a TV.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Creative Genius, Biscardi Creative Media
https://www.biscardicreative.com

Now in Production, “The Rough Cut,” https://www.theroughcutmovie.com

“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters

[Paloma Polo]

I am working with text in the final cut pro 4.5. It all appears very blurry, even when I export it. I am desperate. Everything is set to the higher quality. I REALLY NEED HELP.
I did not understand what you said about the vertical setting in the timeline.
I would very much apreciatte advice. Thanks