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Activity Forums Apple Final Cut Pro Legacy Incorrect Aspect Ratio

  • Incorrect Aspect Ratio

    Posted by Patrick Barton on May 30, 2011 at 9:07 pm

    I’m editing some videos for a client and having an issue with exporting to the correct aspect ratio. Some of the videos needed to be exported at 810×400 (mp4) and they turned out fine. One section of the video needs to be exported at 320×240 (mp4). He sent me an example of what it should look like, and I match the settings but my video file isn’t letterboxed (and I have checked preserve aspect ratio using letterbox). This results in a vertically stretched out image.

    Hopefully someone can help me figure this out as the deadline is Wednesday and I have a bunch of videos to export. Please let me know if any additional information is needed. Thanks everyone!

    Rob Grauert replied 15 years, 3 months ago 2 Members · 9 Replies
  • 9 Replies
  • Rob Grauert

    May 30, 2011 at 9:35 pm

    Your sequence settings should always match your footage. Just because you need to deliver a different resolution, doesn’t mean you should work in that resolution.

    With your sequence settings matching your footage, export a self contained Quicktime. Bring that new file into Compressor and export it to what you need to deliver.

    Rob Grauert, Jr.
    http://www.robgrauert.com
    command-r.tumblr.com

  • Rob Grauert

    May 30, 2011 at 9:37 pm

    Wait, I think I misunderstood your post. I thought you were changing your sequence settings. Regardless, give Compressor a shot.

    Rob Grauert, Jr.
    http://www.robgrauert.com
    command-r.tumblr.com

  • Rob Grauert

    May 30, 2011 at 9:41 pm

    Or, assuming you’re working with 16:9 footage since it’s being squished since 320X240 is 4:3, next your sequence into a 4:3 sequence. Then export that as 320X240

    Rob Grauert, Jr.
    http://www.robgrauert.com
    command-r.tumblr.com

  • Patrick Barton

    May 30, 2011 at 9:55 pm

    Hmm the footage is 16:9, and basically what I want is a 320×240 file size but with a 16:9 ratio for the image. So the image should be letterboxed but the result has no letterboxes.

    Essentially it’s like the ‘preserve aspect ratio using letterbox’ button isn’t working at all.

    Thanks for the help, I’ll keep trying different things 🙁

  • Rob Grauert

    May 30, 2011 at 10:49 pm

    Right, so because 320X240 is 4:3, create a new 4:3 Sequence in FCP. Drag your 16:9 sequence from the browser and drop it into the 4:3 timeline. It should letterbox automatically. Then export your file as 320X240.

    Rob Grauert, Jr.
    http://www.robgrauert.com
    command-r.tumblr.com

  • Patrick Barton

    May 30, 2011 at 10:57 pm

    I made a 4:3 (NTSC) timeline, laid in my video and the size was way off, like the video was zoomed in to. What you’re saying makes sense, I’m not sure what is happening with my video.

  • Rob Grauert

    May 30, 2011 at 11:42 pm

    Ahh, it didn’t letterbox automatically. Easy fix, though.

    You dragged the 16:9 sequence from the Browser to the 4:3 timeline, right? It should look like one long clip in the timeline, correct?

    Right click on that clip and choose “Open In Viewer.” Go to the Motion tab and change the Scale to 75%.

    Rob Grauert, Jr.
    http://www.robgrauert.com
    command-r.tumblr.com

  • Patrick Barton

    May 31, 2011 at 12:12 am

    Now when I say not to conform the sequence to mach the clip settings it says: Operation not allowed. You cannot nest sequences with different editing timebases.

    Sorry I can’t figure this out. Your help is greatly appreciated, I swear I have some competency in Final Cut!

  • Rob Grauert

    May 31, 2011 at 10:13 am

    Ok, that means you can’t nest sequences that have different frame rates…

    Make sure the 4:3 timeline is the same frame rate as your 16:9 sequence.

    Rob Grauert, Jr.
    http://www.robgrauert.com
    command-r.tumblr.com

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