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Widescreen and Squeeze Question
A noob here, guys, with a noob question. Video’d a wedding a short time ago and have been using Vegas Pro 9 to try to polish it up. When I shot it, I shot it in squeeze at 24P(using a DVX100A). As far as the project settings (properties) do I need to set it at 1.0 (square) pixel aspect ratio, or at 1.2121 (NTSC DV Widescreen). Since it was shot at 16:9 I assume it needs to be set at 1.0 otherwise it will think I am wanting to stretch it to widescreen, when it already is, right? How far off base am I? I want to render it in the native aspect that I shot it at which is squeezed 16:9. Also, what would be the absolute BEST quality I could render it at, as far as the proper parameters/settings/codecs to use? Thanks so much. This is my first video, and really wanting it to look good. With your help I’m sure it will. Everything I’ve done with Vegas as far as the editing I’ve done on the video, I’ve learned from you guys. Its 1hr, 58min long and it was my niece’s wedding (utilized a lot of background music throughout the video with some spots of comments and interviews interspersed. Wanting desperately to learn the ins and outs of video editing so I can do more of what I have found out that I really love – videography.
Any info at all would be most appreciated.
Marc. -
3 Replies
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“Since it was shot at 16:9 I assume it needs to be set at 1.0 otherwise it will think I am wanting to stretch it to widescreen, when it already is, right?”
That would be wrong.
Set your project properties to match your source footage (in this case, 1.2121 WITH pulldown).
The easiest way to do this is to go File – Properties, click on the Match Media Settings icon at the top right of this tab, browse to a folder containing your source footage, click on any one of them and click Open.
This brings you back to your project properties window with the video attributes set to match your source footage.
Save this as a preset if you want or just click OK.“Also, what would be the absolute BEST quality I could render it at, as far as the proper parameters/settings/codecs to use?”
If you want to make a DVD from it, use the DVD Architect 24p NTSC Widescreen video stream MPEG-2 template for your video and Dolby Digital AC-3 Pro for your audio.
The default setting is fine for audio but customize your video settings as follows.
Click the Custom button next to the video template box.
In the Video tab, set the Video quality slider as high as it will go.
Click the Two-pass option.
This will make for a longer render but the results will be worth it.
Make sure Variable bit rate is clicked and enter the following numbers for Max, Avg. and Min:
8,000,000 / 4,688,000 / 2,808,000
In the Project tab, set Video Rendering Quality to Best.
Save this as a preset if you want to .
Otherwise, click OK and then Save to start rendering.
With these numbers, I guarantee this will fit on a single layer DVD.
Make sure to give both streams the same name and render them to the same folder.
That way, when you load the video stream into DVD Architect, the audio will automatically follow.BTW, if you’re not happy with the audio on your DVD, try the following customization:
Encode set to AC-3;
Click on custom tab;
On the first tab set Dialog normalization to “-31”;
On the last tab marked preprocessing;
Set the Line Mode & RF mode profiles to “None”;
Now save this as a preset. -
Mike, first I wanted to say a BIG thank you for your advice. I got deeply involved in some other business projects and was unable to do anymore on the wedding video until this weekend. I followed your advice on the settings and it turned out brilliantly. Sorry about such a delayed thank you for allowing me to utilize your intelligence. Thanks again, Marc.
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Marc, I’m really glad to hear that everything worked out so well for you and that I was able to help you out.
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