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Working with both 720×480 and 1440×1080 in the same project
I am working on a project that was mainly shot in 1440×1880 HD (16:9). However, someone else shot some of the footage and they sent it to me as a DV file. The format for that footage is 720×480 NTSC DV (3:2). When I start a sequence with the 1440×1880 footage, it makes the 720×480 footage look letterboxed. When I start the sequence with the 720×480 footage, it makes the 1440×1880 footage look blurry.
Is there anyway to get make the 729×480 footage to match the 1440×1880 footage? I don’t care too much if it loses some resolution, but I don’t want it to be letterboxed.
Thanks so much!
Alex
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12 Replies
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You could run the SD footage through compressor and up convert it to HD. Or if you’re delivering the content on DVD you could just edit your project in SD. The HD footage looks blurry because you haven’t rendered the project. If you exported, it would look fine.
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Sorry, is the 720×480 the SD footage? If so, do you recommend that I change the sequence settings to 720×480 and then render it? The main outlet for this video will be online but we’re hoping to make it look as good as we can in full screen mode.
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Sorry for not being clearer. Yes the 720×480 is the Standard Definition footage. Since you’re going to the web, you could just up convert it to HD in Compressor. It won’t look as good as the HD movies, but it will conform with your timeline.
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Thanks. So when I turn it into an mov in compressor, should I tell it to be 720×480 in the inspector window? How do I tell it to convert to HD?
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The easiest way would be to open up one of your 1440×1080 clips in Qucktime and type apple+i to get the movie information window. Write down what it says next to format.
In Compressor type what the format is into the search window. It could be HDV or DVCPRO HD or something else. Whatever format it is, pick the setting that matches in Compressor and drag it onto your video. Then click submit.
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And this would be better than keeping the 720×480 settings that I’ll be exporting the sequence in?
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You said you wanted to maintain the best quality. 1440×1080 is higher quality than 720×480, more pixels. I suggested editing in HD because you said most of your stuff is HD. If your sequence is 720×480 that means you’re editing in SD.
In your position right now, the easiest and least technical option would be to edit in SD. Leave your sequence as 720×480. When you export your HD footage should look fine.
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All of this Compressor work is assuming the footage was shot anamorphic. Here are a few options, please let us know which kind of footage you have:
1) Plain, 4×3 SD – this is footage that fills a “full screen” which is the more square shape of old TVs.
2) Letterboxed 4×3 SD – this footage fills a “full screen” but it has black bars on the top and the bottom so it’s widescreen video packaged inside a fullscreen video
3) Anamorphic SD – this is footage that is shot on the same space as SD, but it’s widescreen squished down to the fullscreen size, and needs to be stretched back out to be displayed properly. The Compressor route will work properly if this is the footage you were provided. -
I’m pretty sure the footage is anamorphic. I should be able to compress the final project tonight and see how it looks. I’ll let you know if I run into trouble.
Thanks so much for your help, you guys!
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So I’ve been trying different rates in the compressor and none of them seem to be working. I tried compressing it at 720×480 NTSC DV (3:2) and the 1440×1880 footage looked awful. Blurry and with movement lines everywhere. Then I tried 1440×1880 with DVCPRO HD 1080i60 (16:9) pixel ratio in the inspector, which is what most of the footage was filmed in and it looks great (very crisp), however, it’s stretched sideways. Any suggestions on what I can do to make it look crisp but not stretched? I’m currently trying 720×480 with DVCPRO HD 1080i60 (16:9) pixel ratio, but I’m guessing that won’t work either.
Please let me know and thanks so much!
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