Aspect Ratio Confusion

jangardiner · Post by **jangardiner** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 10:45 am

I admit I should know this by now, so color me

I "think" I know that my NTSC output is 720 x 480, and I happily cropped my images (outside MSP7) to that aspect ratio. After inserting them into my timeline, I noticed the letterbox effect on the top and bottom because I have a mix of images and video. I do not want aspect ratio distortion, and I would prefer to not have letterbox either.

Aha, it must be that I need to crop images to 4:3 instead. I do this for some, and the letterbox effect is removed. But now my embarrassing confusion remains. If I crop all my images to 4:3, what will the output eventually be when I create my DVD for NTSC? My goal is no distortion of aspect ratio, and pretty much WYSIWYG.

So, what is the "ideal ratio" for my images, and what other settings do I need to be aware of?

Rather than stumble around doing trial and error, I thought I'd ask for a little guidance. Help and any other related tips are much appreciated.

Terry Stetler · Post by **Terry Stetler** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 3:22 am

When mixing aspect ratios on the same timeline I keep in mind what the destination display device will be. If it's a 4:3 device, as most TV's today still are, then I work in and export to that aspect ratio.

The rub now comes down to how you're going to handle the 16:9 content. You have two options: letterboxing or pan & scan (moving a 4:3 viewport left & right in the 16:9 frame).

Personally I prefer to letterbox so nothing in the 16:9 footage is excluded that should really be in there.

That said if you choose to pan & scan I'd use the Pan & Zoom video filter applied to the 16:9 footage instead of cropping. It can be accurately keyframed and you can set it to pan only and do no zooming.

Setting the Project settings to do Non-square pixel rendering couldn't hurt either, and is really a necessity if you choose to letterbox.

For future reference: if you have a 16:9 project and include 4:3 footage setting Non-square pixel rendering should also be used as this will "pillar" the 4:3 footage (black bars on either side) within the 16:9 frame.

jangardiner · Post by **jangardiner** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 3:03 pm

Good explanation, and for now when I'm working with 4:3, all I really need to do is crop my images to 4:3 if I don't want letterbox and don't worry about pixel for this purpose. And yes, I do use non-square pixel rendering when my output is for TV.

Luckiily, you've also answered my next question--my next project will be for 16:9.

Thanks much!