Would you start videotaping in 16:9 now?

webcombo · Post by **webcombo** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 2:22 pm

I have been taping all my home movies in 4:3, even though I have had my camcorder for 6 years and have had the 16:9 feature all along. Would any of you video experts recommend filming in 16:9 now, even though I don't have a tv that is 16:9 but probably will in the next 5 years? My thought is that I would rather cut the tops off while I'm shooting, (in otherwords not crop off heads cause I can see my boundaries) rather than later, if I would decide to format all my tapes to 16:9. (See a few posts down) Based on the answers from that post, it sounds like VideoStudio would just crop off the top and bottom of a scene, and I'm sure there really is no other way to do this. Right?

Thanks in advance,

Rob

GeorgeW · Post by **GeorgeW** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 3:03 pm

This is most likely a personal choice, based on your perception of where the market is going, and based on what you expect to have as a TV in the future.

So personally, I made the decision to start shooting everything 16:9 earlier this year (2 of my camcorders shoot TRUE 16:9). After starting to shoot/edit 16:9, I wish I had made the switch earlier (I don't have a widescreen TV, but I hope to get one shortly).

Regards,
George

Phil S · Post by **Phil S** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 3:17 pm

Been shooting in 16:9 for well over a year. My Sony TRV33 has true widescreen capabilities.

Also just recently bought a 16:9 (switchable) still digital camera and shoot all my stills in that too.

All TVs will eventually be in this format so it makes sense to shoot your new stuff this way. When I make a still slideshow I crop any 4:3 images to 16:9 also.

Trevor Andrew · Post by **Trevor Andrew** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 6:53 pm

Hi Rob

Totally agree with the replies, even to the point of trimming to 16:9 for the still images.

I have been using 16:9 for nearly 2 years, since upgrading my cam-corder, never looked back.

Changing the aspect from 4:3 to 16:9 will loose some of the frame at the top and bottom. The video clips being rendered again with possible loss in quality.

I would go with 16:9.
The video will play on a 4:3 TV.
You will not have to convert your video saving time.

Trevor

skier-hughes · Post by **skier-hughes** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 11:44 am

If you camera is more than a few months old it will not have TRUE widescreen. I beg to differ from those who say their cams have it.

They will shoot a widescreen image, but the only way to get true widescreen is by using a true widescreen ccd or cmos sensor.

You have two choices whilst using a 4.3 camcorder.
1. Shoot 4.3 and crop in post. Takes time but loses less resolution giving better quality result. You also need to film differently to get teh best result.
2. Shoot 16.9. Takes less editing time but results in poorer quality overall picture, as information is just thrown away and then strecthed by the camcorder.

I shoot in 4.3 and then crop any to 16.9 that customers require. All my own is in 4.3

Also, think ahead, you say you are not going to get a widescreen tv for maybe 5 years..... Tv's will all be different then, we possibly won't be using tape but solid state media....