Converting HD 16:9 to SD 4:3 w/ letterbox

[Jordan Standley]

Hi guys, I am having a similar issue. I am making a video which the majority of the footage is ntsc 720X480. I was upscaling the clips in fcp but decided to compress them instead. In compressor I choose to “crop” 4:3 1:33:1 but some clips when choosing this crop setting part of the image is chopped off. I have “cropped” some of the clips choosing 16:9 1:77:1. the dimension I compress (export) in is the 720 X 480 ntsc dimension. I was wondring if I will have any problems with having HD footage cropped 4:3 and 16:9?? Or should I just crop them all in 4:3 and re shoot some of the clips or jus leave part of the objects chopped off? I made a test quicktime clip and it doesnt look that bad but maybe on a dvd or projector it will be noticeable. I will show the video on a projector in 2 weeks. ANY help appreciated! Thanks! J