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Broadcast video question – 720×486?
Hello,
I have been editing and doing some post for awhile, but typically I only output for web video.I have a broadcast commercial that Im going to be working on and have gotten a few tech specs from the station where it will air. There are a couple things that Im not totally clear on and im hoping someone here can help.
The station is still SD, and request everything center-cut – I get that. They are also asking for the file to be delivered to them at 720×486.
720×480 is a format im familiar with, but 720×486 is something I havent seen before. When I use the After effects default of square pixels, the comp looks like it takes on more of a 4:3 ratio. Thus not fitting my 16:9 footage shot with the Canon XF305.
Is this correct?
Thanks in advance! Ive been using this forum for quite some time but have never posted before!
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3 Replies
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720×486 is/was a broadcast standard for many years, but it doesn’t use square pixels, it uses .91 or 1.21 sized pixels, depending if you are delivering 16×9 or 4×3. If they are asking for center cut, it sounds like they are expecting 1.21 pixels(Widescreen).
But here’s the thing, and I’ve made this mistake in the past at quite a cost. Get confirmation from the studio what they are expecting for Pixel Aspect Ratio. Then you can just press “cntl + K” and choose one of the NTSC D1 presets and you’re done.
Because your computer is square pixels, things will looked squished or stretch using non-square pixels. Under your comp window is a pixel aspect ratio toggle that will ‘correct’ for using non-square on a computer, but when you do this shapes/text will look all jaggedy, don’t worry about that, it will look fine when it plays on the air.
Oh…and again GET CONFIRMATION…trust me, it can be a very very costly mistake.
Johnny Cuevas, Editor
Thinkck.com“I have not failed 700 times. I have succeeded in proving that those 700 ways will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work.”
—THOMAS EDISON on inventing the light bulb. -
That makes perfect sense Johnny! I appreciate both the insight and the advice. I am going heed your warning and contact the studio immediately.
Thanks again!
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Hi Johnny, Thanks for your help before – Im wondering if I can pick your brain again.
I just got confirmation that they are using SQUARE PIXELS. I was under the impression that the 720×486 standard didnt use square pixels? They also told me that they want 4:3.
Do these settings make sense to you?
Thanks again, I really appreciate it
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