Exporting HD sequence for SD viewing

[Richard Keating]

I would suggest first nesting it in a 720×480 (4×3) timeline. Shrink it down until it’s all in the frame and you have bars on top and bottom – basically making a 4×3 letterbox timeline. Export a reference movie that you can run through Compressor to make your DVD encodes.

Richard Keating
Freelance Editor
http://www.richardkeating.com
http://www.screenlight.tv

[Sergei Luzginov]

I would change the format in easy setings to NTSC 48, then open new sequence, then nest your 1080 sequence on the new one. Done

Florida Video Production

[Trevor Ward]

Here’s what I do with HD programs on SD screens: I edit in HD and export the quicktime movie. So that way I have the HD Master file. I then bring that into Compressor and use the DVD presets. Done.

What this does, is:
1. Let’s you keep a Master copy of the program in the highest quality, or original quality.
2. Compresses to SD DVD directly from the original quality, ensuring a high quality encode.
3. Gives you a letterboxed version of your program. I like this because I ensure that everything that was intended to be seen in the composition IS seen. I don’t mind bars at the top and bottom, thus giving me a slightly small image (measured from top to bottom). The advantage, with is, is if you play that DVD on an HDTV, the whole screen is filled in. It’s not necessarily an HD image, but it’s not stretched or side boxed.

-trevor ward
Red Eye Film Co.
http://www.redeyefilmco.com
orlando, fl

[Jamie Mcdowell]

Which Compressor setting within DVD do you use? My version is 3.0.5.

[Trevor Ward]

They are pretty self explanatory. If your program is 90 minutes or less, use the 90 minute setting. If you’re going for the final DVD and want the best possible quality, use Best Quality. If this is a trial run or preview DVD or something and you just want it done quickly, use the Fastest Encode option.

-trevor ward
Red Eye Film Co.
http://www.redeyefilmco.com
orlando, fl