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What’s the deal with D1 pixels vs Square pixels?
So, I read books saying that I should create all of my photoshop documents (i used version 6.0) with a 720×540 size. Then when I am done, resize it to 720×486 so that it will come into the AVID and look normal to make up for the D1 pixel aspect ratio.
Well, i have been doing that for a long time, and finally i just saved out a 720×540 image, and a 720×486 resized image and put them both into AVId. I compared the results and i see maybe a pixel or 2 of a difference in the images.
So what is the deal? Why does everyone preach this topic but to me it seems like there is no point in worrying about it when the difference is miniscule?
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9 Replies
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This is because depending on your Avid settings, the Avid is doing the conversion for you. This isn’t a given with every NLE. Avid settings can also be selected so that no conversion takes place.
Sincerely,
OliverOliver Peters
Post-Production & Interactive Media
Orlando, FL
http://www.oliverpeters.com -
is that what the 601 etc settings are on the import options box?
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Yes. It’s pretty thoroughly explained in the User Guide.
– OliverOliver Peters
Post-Production & Interactive Media
Orlando, FL
http://www.oliverpeters.com -
PS – I didn’t mean for this to sound snide. Simply that there are several variations to the settings that affect color levels and resizing of imported graphics, so reviewing the manual will make it clear.
– Oliver
Oliver Peters
Post-Production & Interactive Media
Orlando, FL
http://www.oliverpeters.com -
cool thanks.
i did some tests of my own just to see the difference. a few of the import options are miniscule and others are a big differrence and unusable -
Try this test. Make a new file in Photoshop containing a black circle on a white background. Do this one in a 720×486 pixel document and again in a 720×540 pixel document resized to 720×486 (without constraining proportions). Import both into your Avid using the “601 non-square pixels” option. Observe that the circle made at 720×486 is now an oval and the one made at 720×540 and resized is still a circle.
THAT is what the fuss is all about!
I just recently had a customer supply a DVD menu made the “wrong” way, and they just called to complain that the shape of the person’s head in the DVD menu looks distorted. DOH!
Class dismissed.
Bill Stephan
Senior Editor/DVD Author
USA Studios
New York City -
but if you put the 720×540 cirlce in avid, it will also still look circular with the 601 setting. right?
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Wrong! It will look correct only if you import a 720×540 image using the “maintain/square pixels” setting.
Bill Stephan
Senior Editor/DVD Author
USA Studios
New York City -
i import the 720×540 with 601 profile and it is a pixel or 2 different than the 720×540 resized to 720×486 and imported with the 601 profile.
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