[Tony]

Well “thank you very little” for pointing that out Noah.

Now that was in no way ebonics just my own vocabulary.

Tony Salgado

[Tony]

If you sent them an anamorphic master instead of a 4×3 letterboxed then the station could have broadcast the program without creating a letterbox. Some stations do not have the time or equipment to create letterboxed version so it is your responsibility to deliver them what is suitable for their needs.

If what you saw was stretched vertically then you were watching the anamorphic version which was not being letterboxed for 4×3 broadcast but would have looked ok on a 16×9 broadcast.

If the broadcast is 4×3 then you should deliver a letterboxed version and if it is 16×9 then deliver a anamorphic version.

FYI none of the betacam machines have the ability to create a 4×3 letterbox output on the fly from a anamorphic source. In addition Betacam SP is not ideal for delivering anamorphic masters as it does not have the full spacial resolution necessary.

Generally when delivering a HD master the playback machines have the ability to downconvert and create a letterbox, centercut, and anamorphic version.

Tony Salgado

[Tony]

It is a 1/2 stop electronic “ND” filter. Useful for reducing amount of light hitting CCD sensor which results in opening up the iris which results in less depth of field.

Depending on which camera you are using and what mode the camera is in (ie SDX-900 versus other cameras etc) will result in different responses etc.

Negative gain is a easy way to have your background be more out of focus due to less depth of field when the iris is at wide open.

Best way to learn how to use negative gain is to experiment with it and compare it to 0db setting. Make sure to open up the iris 1/2 stop when you go to -3db.

Tony Salgado

[Tony]

35mmGuy,

Once you are a working professional and making real “income” any software maker should expect that the student user prepare to step up to the professional level and pay for his applications instead of pretending to still be a student. As a professional you may also want extended support plans etc which would assist you run your business more effective so hiding out as a “ex-student” just to save a buck is worthless.

Apple or any other software maker need not offer the academic version because it is not in their best interest if student users will “cheat” them by using the academic version on a “for profit” productions.

So in the best interest of future students benefitting from the “academic” offer I would suggest you do the right and legal action which is to sell your academic version and obtain the professional license.

FYI I was able to upgrade from the academic version of FCP 3 to the FCP 4 professional version without having to rebuy the entire application again. The policy may have changed since that time.

Tony Salgado

ps- How will your clients react when you boot up the application and the academic version logo appears. If they ask you “are you still as student?” and the answer is clearly “no” then be prepared for the client to reconsider how much they should be paying you as a “student” versus a “true professional”.

The client may ask for a reduced rate based on the fact your software operation cost are so much lower than a “true professional”.

In addition the client or any other “true professional” you work with may question your ethical and work standards given the fact that you chose to “cheat the system” then why not “cheat the client” or other co workers.

[Tony]

Ron,

Great answer.

One I must add to my “best of the Cow” posts.

Love that manure reference.

Tony Salgado

[Tony]

Thanks Gary,

You know sometimes even I forget the settings and have to refer back to this post myself.

Tony Salgado

[Tony]

Thanks Gary,

You know sometimes even I forget the settings and have to refer back to this post myself.

Tony Salgado

[Tony]

detail enhancement is similar to unsharp mask in Photoshop.

You can add or subtrack sharpening to the image.

Best to have less when shooting and add what you need in post.

Tony Salgado

[Tony]

Depends on your application, HD flavor and frame rate etc.

HD sync generator is tri level.

Tony Salgado

[Tony]

Some of the ipod spots were shot on HDCAM SR 4:4:4,

Tony Salgado