Correct graphics size?

[Chris Borjis]

[Ron Craig] “I’d like to know what image size and resolution to use when creating graphics in Photoshop for an HD 720p program.”

1280×720 square pixels

this also applies even if your editing in DVCPRO-HD 720 where
the video is actually 960×720

[Ron Craig]

That was quick. Thanks for the help, Chris. Much appreciated.

— Ron

[Ron Craig]

Hi again,

Chris, if you’re still there, what resolution do you use for those graphics? I’m used to 72 dpi for standard def video. Does that change for HD?

[Walter Biscardi]

[Ron Craig] ” I’m used to 72 dpi for standard def video. Does that change for HD?”

Nope. We use 72dpi for HD as well, have been for four years now.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.

Read my Blog!

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[Ron Craig]

Thanks, Walter!

[Rafael Amador]

Hi Ron,
The resolution that you set in PhotoShop it doesn’t matter. What it counts is the total number of pixels (with x high). in this case 1280×720. Whatever the resolution you set, QT will always display in 72Dpi. Thats the standard display resolution for computers.
cheers
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Tom Brooks]

I also do 720p graphics as 1280×720, square pixels. So why did Adobe come up with the idea that a DVCProHD anamorphic format was necessary in Photoshop? Why follow the anamorphic shenanigans of an anamorphic video recording format when you can go straight to the ultimate square pixel format of the final output?

[Walter Biscardi]

[Tom Brooks] “I also do 720p graphics as 1280×720, square pixels. So why did Adobe come up with the idea that a DVCProHD anamorphic format was necessary in Photoshop?”

We make them anamorphic before we send them to FCP as there are issues with positioning if we leave them square.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.

Read my Blog!

STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR Apple Color Training DVD available now!

[Rafael Amador]

Hi Tom,
I think that’s perfect. PHS just display the 960×720 pixels with the proper DVCHpro pixel aspect, so you really know how they will look in the FC canvas.
You start with 960×720 and end up with 960×720. No need to convert nowhere the 1280×720 to 960×720. Nor in PHS, neither in FC.
Off course when imported to FC you need to set pixels aspect ratio:”DVCProHD” in the Browser. Otherwise FC will think they are square because the come from PHS.
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Tom Brooks]

OK guys, since my work is done for the day, I had to clear up my own confusion on this.
1. Using the CS3 preset for DVCProHD 720p/29.97, Final Cut recognizes the pixel aspect ratio correctly and the clip plays on the timeline with no rendering.

2. Using 1280×720 square pixels, FCP again interprets correctly as square and scales the graphic to fit. It comes in with a green bar in Unlimited RT. You have to render for full quality playback (my MBP system).

3. If you start at 1280×720 but resize to 960×720 before import to FCP, the clip is interpreted with the HD (960×720) pixel aspect ratio and again plays on the timeline with no render. This would be a good choice for those who have Photoshop 7 or earlier.

I don’t see any obvious differences in positioning, but the real-time advantage is obvious here. Quality looks pretty comparable in all three methods. There are no doubt multi-format situations where it’s an advantage to have a square-pixel version of the graphics. But for me it looks like I need to accept the wisdom of the CS3 presets.

Final Cut Pro 6.0.4, Mac OS-X 10.5.5, Quicktime 7.5, Adobe Prod Prem CS3, G5 Quad 2.5, Kona-LHe V6, 8.5GB RAM, Nvidia GeForce 7800-GT 256MB, G-RAID 2x1TB FW800, 6TB RAID-5 (Enhance E8-ML, Highpoint 2322), Panasonic HVX-200P P2. Also MBP 17″ Core 2 Duo 2.5, 4GB, GeForce 8600M GT 512MB.