Aspect ratio on DV-dvd playback

[john chapple]

Hi guys
Could anyone tell me, When editing DV from my old mini dv camcorder, how can I get the final edit to fill the screen without the black side bars after puting on to a dvd and playing back on a 1080x1920 tv. does VS pro x4 have a setting to eliminate the black bars?

Thanks

John

[BrianCee]

is you original footage 16:9 or 4:3 ??

[john chapple]

Hi Brian. 4:3

[lata]

Hi

To remove the black bars you will need to convert the video to 16:9, this will lose some details top and bottom of the original video frame.
Please read my guide Working with Widescreen (16:9)
http://lata.me.uk/video_studio/16_9/16_9.htm

May help a little and describes how to convert the project to 16:9, although written using VS10 is still relevant for current versions.
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There is also a Field Order issue you should also be aware of, X4 defaults to using Upper Field, your video uses Lower field, You should use the custom option or Make Movie Templates Manager to create a suitable template.
Also edit the project properties to use Mpeg DVD lower Field.
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You could of course set your TV to view in full screen, some have an auto zoom (Intelligent zoom) that maintains the frame in proportion, the TV should be capable of viewing 4:3 in widescreen whilst keeping the frame in proportion.

[BrianCee]

There are some other options that keep your videos in the correct format and do not lose bits that you may also like to consider.

First - just change the background colour in VS to something more compatible with your video - maybe a soft red or green.

Second - put your 4:3 video in the overlay track and just pull it out to fit to top and bottom so it is still 4:3 and put a 16:9 image in the top video track - I did this a while ago for a wedding which was originally 4:3 and used image I07 supplied with VS to fill the background - looks like this :-

Third - put your video in the top track and put a border in the overlay to cover the edges - for instance frame F07 can produce this result :-

and a fourth option and one I have seen on the TV a few times is to have the original video distorted playing in the background so that the edges change colour with your video - to do that - do not use the top video track - put your video in overlay track number 1 and strech it out to fit all round - then apply the soft focus filter customised to you liking. Now put a second copy of your video in to Overlay track 2 and simply pull it to fit top to bottom only so it stays 4:3 - playing 'project' should now produce an effect like the one you see here :-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y1fnSJuOpg



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