[Cris Mcconkey]

Best I can tell, the video is not distorted and the 45 pixel crop is correct.

[Cris Mcconkey]

Here are the settings I am using in Compressor to convert my 720p 960×720 footage to NTSC 14:9:

Under Video format:

(1) Change Video format to NTSC
(2)Change Aspect Ratio to 4:3
(3) Leave field dominance Progressive (why introduce interlacing on progressive footage?)

Under Geometry:

Source Insert (Cropping)
Crop to: Custom
Left: 45
Right: 45

Output Image Inset (Padding)
Padding: Custom
Top:34
Bottom:34

The source cropping was based on 720 pixels across (NTSC) rather than 960 (HD 960×720). So, if my video looks streched out when the compressor job is done, then I will need to recalcultae based on (960/720) * 45 = 60 pixels. I should have run a test clip but I felt confident so I didn’t. I’ll be back to say if I was right or wrong.

[Cris Mcconkey]

Disappointed that this thread is so short. In working with 720p (960×720) footage and for my workflow, I’d like to do the conversion in compressor for 14:9 for the same sort of reason that Bob gave. In my case, I have programing for the web, which is 720p, but I also need something that looks better on 4:3 public access channels, both for old sets and for flat screens.

[Cris Mcconkey]

Jerry, How much a differences does it really make to have the project files on the boot drive? Why is there a difference with FCP7?