Defeating 16x9 mode in VS8

KHashmi316 · Post by **KHashmi316** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 7:12 pm

Capturing clips from a Panasonic GS-200 (the clips were shot in "Cinema" or "16x9" mode), I'm having difficulty with VS8 preserving the clips' aspect ratio. The "live" image during capture is look fine (16x9), but the captured AVI file is squashed vertically. I *think* VS8 assumes that the original DV clips are anamorphic; but, to the best of my knowledge, the Panasonic is simply matting the top an bottom of the frame, simulating a 16x9 effect.

My question: how can I override VS8's squashing effect?

(BTW: I am also using Canopus Let's Edit to capture these clips, but it does not have this problem)

Thx,
-KH

Post by **Ken Berry** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 8:50 pm

Can you tell us some more about how exactly you are capturing the video, what the properties of the captured clips are, and your computer specifications, including operating system.

KHashmi316 · Post by **KHashmi316** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 10:43 pm

Ken Berry wrote:Can you tell us some more about how exactly you are capturing the video, what the properties of the captured clips are, and your computer specifications, including operating system.

Panasonic PV-GS200 -> Firewire -> PC (Windows XP Pro)

More detals about the system here:
http://www.gammaelectronics.com/HTPC-an ... ystem.html

Properties of the clips (in Ulead):

Microsoft AVI files -- OpenDML
Compression: DV Video Encoder - -type 2

One more thing: in the Panasonic manual, it does note that "Depending on the software in use, the imported Cinema picture may not display correctly." But, as prev. noted, in Ulead's live capture window, the aspect ratio is correct; it is only *once* the clip is "AVI'd" that the squashing issue becomes evident.

-KH

Trevor Andrew · Post by **Trevor Andrew** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 1:11 pm

Hi KH

Still not sure what your Clip Properties are.

Right click a clip in the timeline and select properties
What are they?

Do the ‘Attributes’ show 16:9?

Your project properties should be the same as the clip properties.

From File – Project Properties—Edit—Un-tick ‘perform none square pixel rendering’

This option is normally ticked, but if you are having compatibility problems between VS and your camera it may be the solution.
Unfortunately I have not seen an anamorphic clip and cannot comment on the result, worth a try.

Good luck

Trevor

KHashmi316 · Post by **KHashmi316** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 11:40 pm

trevor andrew wrote:Still not sure what your Clip Properties are.

Right click a clip in the timeline and select properties
What are they?

Do the ‘Attributes’ show 16:9?

Your project properties should be the same as the clip properties.

From File – Project Properties—Edit—Un-tick ‘perform none square pixel rendering’

This option is normally ticked, but if you are having compatibility problems between VS and your camera it may be the solution.
Unfortunately I have not seen an anamorphic clip and cannot comment on the result, worth a try.

Trevor

Hi, Trevor:

By "anamorphic" clip, I meant how the camera "pre-compresses" the image, so that it can be squashed back down (uncompressed) to 16:9 later. My 7-year old Sony Hi-8 shows 16:9 in this ("skinnyvision") mode. For more info on anamorphic, please see:

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/ ... orama.html
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/ ... index.html
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/editorial/bz100298.html

I always unselect "perform none square pixel rendering". IAC, VS8 is now properly aspecting and rendering the clip, but I'm not sure what exactly cured it. To re-create the issue, I tried toggling "Project Options > geenral > Display aspect ratio" between 16:9 and 4:3, but it (now) renders correctly on both settings. I did not make any changes to the camera's settings, however.

-KH