Aspect conversion in QT7

We have an increasing number of clips coming in to one of my workplaces that are 1280 x 544. We need them to be 1280 x 720 with black bars to be able to run on a dedicated screen in the right aspect ratio.

Has anyone got a method for doing this without having to go through FCP? It's an intern job, and since the clips are usually MP4s we don't want to have to convert them, import to FCP, export, then convert again for the screen. I had a look at masks in QT7 but can only find ways to remove letterboxing and pillarboxing, not add.

I figured it out - using mpeg streamclip you can just change the x/y to 1.333 and it pads for you on export.

you can do this in compressor, too,
maybe not so simply.

set the geometry to 1280 x 720
then do a custom pad to your size.

it's all in the geometry pane of the inspector.


nick

Ta Nick. I never really liked the Compressor interface, so I rarely think of it. Should have done, but luckily MPEG streamlcip has a setting all ready to go for this job, so it's simple for the interns.

gotta love Mpeg Streamclip

n

I've used QuickTime Player Pro, which has a simple aspect ratio setting for H X W and a checkbox as to whether you want them locked together, under Movie Properties>Video Track. Use it all the time.

- Loren

Today's FCP 7 keytip:
Advance to next/previous keyframes in a clip with Shift/Option-K !

Your Final Cut Studio KeyGuide™ Power Pack
with FCP7 KeyGuide --
now available at KeyGuide Central.
www.neotrondesign.com

Yeah I tried that Loren, but it doesn't add bars, it only crops the shape. So it makes the picture the right dimensions in the wrong aspect ration.

Oh, right, you needed pad. Streamclip it is, I guess. I'd use Episode for that, it's got the full range of choices: Cut, Letterbox or None. Just reflects my bias toward fully supported commercial software.

Best, as always,
Loren S. Miller
www.neotrondesign.com
Home of KeyGuide Central

FWIW, Compressor has both Crop and Pad settings.


nick

You can create a droplet in Compressor to do just that, and your intern will have the easiest job in the world. I think AME does it too, and you can probably set up a watch folder. AME doesn't seem to do padding or cropping. Not as a preset.



www.strypesinpost.com