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Trouble Exporting an SD 16:9 in FCP5.1 – comes out 4:3 with one exception
OK, here’s my problem. I have tried exporting a 16:9 SD sequence (shot on an XL2 in 16:9) using FCP 5.1. I’ve never had this problem with the earlier version of FCP (normally they would automatically letterbox the image). To get the 16:9 image to display correctly so it is not squeezed in a 4:3 frame in FCP 5.1, the sequence settings in FCP 5.1 are set to 720×480 NTSC DV (3:2) with the pixel aspect ratio set at NTSC-CCIR/DV (720×480).
I am about to go bald with frustration because I have tried to export the sequence using all combinations of the following export settings for a Quick Time Movie and each of the exports comes out squeezed in 4:3. :
“Current Settings,”
“DV NTSC 48kHz Anamorphic,”
“DV NTSC 48kHz”
I have even tried custom settings of 3:2 and 4:3 with and without checking “anamorphic” but still it would not work right – there was no change in the frame size – ie it was still a 4:3 frame with a squeezed 16:9 picture.Then I tried a custom setting using a frame size of 720×486 (which I believe is not the standard SD frame size) using CCIR 601 NTSC (40:27) with the 16:9 Anamorphic box checked (and with it unchecked). Both times with a Pixel Aspect Ratio of CCIR 601 NTSC (720×480) and the exported movie is the same size as my canvas in FCP. This took about 45 minutes to export on my MacPro 3.0 in comparison with the other exports that were squeezed – they only took 15 minutes. Dispite this, I thought I had it solved until I tried to place the movie into DVD Studio Pro and it displays a 4:3 image even though I set the preference settings to 16:9 for SD in DVD Studio Pro. I then double checked the same movie I exported by opening it in QT Pro and it also displayed a 4:3 image that was squeezed.
Why am I have so much trouble? I must be missing something really simple (and yes, I have read and re-read the manual trying to get a clear explanation of the export settings (and why I am screwing up, but have found none). Can anyone help me? I have two strands of hair left and I have Nineteen 40 minute sequences to export like right now!
Thanks, Scott B.
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1 Reply
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I learned the answer to my problem. Althought this method takes some extra steps, its a sure-fire way to adjust a 4:3 image to a 16:9 image in SD after a sequence is outputted.
So, for inquiring minds, I’ve left a bread trail to help others out of the dark forest…
After exporting each sequence in either DV NTSC 4:3 or DV NTSC Anamorphic
1. Open each sequence in Quick Time
2. Hit Command J
3. Go double click Video Track
4. Uncheck Preserve Aspect Ratio
5. Make the frame size 720×405
6. Hit return and the frame size is changed to 16:9
6. Save the file.Walla! My thanks to Larry Jordan for the tip.
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