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Quicktime export distortion
It seems that when I export a timeline from Final Cut 6.0.2, my footage is coming out a little wider than it appears in the canvas. Granted, I’m exporting a standard definition timeline (720×480), which has downconverted HD clips from both panasonic and sony cameras, as well as photo-graphics imported from photoshop, and footage converted from PAL. Mostly, everything looks more or less ok, but it’s just slightly too wide, when I export to a quicktime movie (using Sorenson 3, with the basic settings, and “Current” selected for size).
In the canvas, with the “correct for aspect ratio” option checked, everything looks correct– it’s just when I export, or uncheck the “correct for aspect ratio” option, does everything look off.
The sequence setting is standard NTSC-DV, 720×480, with NTSC-CCIR 601/DV pixel aspect ratio selected.What setting do I need to change to compensate in the export for the aspect ratio, so that the footage comes out looking correct (the way it looks in the canvas)?
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5 Replies
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Your footage is correct. 720×480 is a non square pixel format and is the correct display for television.
What do you need to do with the footage? If you need to encode for the web or something, you need to convert that web movie (but not your exported FCP movie) to a square pixel format for square pixel displays (any flat panel monitor). Square pixel for the resolution is 640×480 or 720×540.
If going to DVD or tape, keep it right where it is.
Jeremy
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Matthew,
Sorry to blow this off, but please search for square pixel and non-square pixel. I am sure the FCP manual has a bunch of material (you can even search for correct for aspect ratio) and if you search this very forum, you will find a lot of information on it and Google will probably set you free.
Also, there’s a basics forum for FCP here:
https://forums.creativecow.net/forum/applefinalcutbasics
Jeremy
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Yes– it seems correct to me too, based on the settings. But what’s baffling to me is that the footage APPEARS in the right proportion in the Final Cut canvas, but when I export it (or turn off the “correct for aspect ratio” option) it appears wider– slightly distorted.
Basically what I want to do is export the footage with the same “adjustment” that Final Cut is making to compensate for the aspect ratio… And I have to admit that I just don’t know how to do this. -
Matthew,
Reimport the clip and put it in the FC time line. You will see that looks OK.
As Jeremy says, is just the way that QT display things. By default interpret everything as Square pixels.
rafael -
Never judge your output with QT Player, it doesn’t show you what you really have without some tweaking. Even then, it should not be done. There are artifacts you would normally not see. The best way is an external video monitor. Most FCP newbs do not use one. Pros know better.
You can get close in QT by pressing CMD J to get the Movie Properties. Then in the Visual Category you can check the High Quality check box. That helps a lot, usually.
Kevin Monahan
http://www.fcpworld.com
Author – Motion Graphics and Effects in Final Cut Pro
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