Converting 4:3 clips to 16:9

[electrovellum]

Is there a good procedure to convert 4:3 unedited clips to true 16:9 format in VS11.5+, allowing for manual repositioning to "recrop" the top & bottom strips? I have some 30Gb of clips to edit in this way & don't want to have to redo it if I get it wrong! Have searched the forum without success.

[sjj1805]

Obviously to preserve the correct aspect so that things are not stretched sideways to fill the redundant area on the two sides - thus making people appear fatter, you will have to crop the height of the video.

Whilst you could simply crop the entire video from start to end this would result in tops of heads being cut off in places or important items from the bottom being cut off at other locations.

You have to employ one or more different techniques that will vary with the actual content.

You can do one or more of the following.

a. project the video onto a false background like I did when I converted my collection of Super 8 cine films to DVD.
Converting Super 8 Films

b. split the video up into several smaller clips and apply the cropping filter plus the use of key frames to "follow the action" thus keeping the important part of the video on screen whilst discarding the area(s) that are less important.
Video Filters

c. Use the Distort option to resize the video.


d. Use split screen effects

Overlay tracks

[electrovellum]

Thanks for that - phew! Just been through it all. Food for thought. May I congratulate you on the tutorial so far. Excellent piece of work. So important to have guidelines from someone who has expertise, rather than just the bald technical details. How to approach a topic is so helpful.

Now all I have to do is put it into effect!!!

Regards...Bob

[etech6355]

How do you convert a 4:3 to true 16:9 and retain correct proportions by cropping the video. Wouldn't you have to Zoom the video? Which usually cuts the top & bottom of the video.

It makes sense to go from 16:9 to 4:3 but not 4:3 to 16:9 and try to retain proportions, usually a true 4:3 to 16:9 loses to much information in the vertical part of the picture.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Bob

Your not a million miles away.

Have a look at my guide
16:9 A look at Widescreen from the link below

The procedure can also be performed in the main track, using the distort option.

Good luck

[electrovellum]

Hi Trevor

Thanks for help - was useful. Looks like mainly using Distort in main timeline, because can't apply even simple fade transitions in Overlays. Distort seems ok. Only (!) a few key depressions to convert to 16.9, with optional repositioning. Shame there isn't a way of applying filter to multiple clips. That would be nice, especially if could subsequently tweek each individually.

Thanks for help ..... Bob

[Black Lab]

because can't apply even simple fade transitions in Overlays.

Simply overlap clips in different tracks to make a crossfade.

[sjj1805]

Moved to Tutorials.

[electrovellum]

May I just say how pleased I am with the assistance given on this forum & particularily this thread. I feel I can now make a start, having minimised the risk of having to start again, several times!

Thanks to all - no doubt I will be crying help again.

Regards....Bob