4:3 to 16:9 sequence setting?

I've got an old 4:3 Standard Definition project and I'm unclear what sequence settings would be best for taking it to 16:9, with FCP7?

Should I just click the "Anamorphic 16:9" box in Sequence settings and then either let it autoscale or do my stretching/zooming/panning/distorting/crying or is there a better choice?

I know of Andy's Elastic Aspect, and Smart Anamorphic (I think that's the one) can aid in the process. Any other options on the market?

I will ultimately intend to bump it to HD - so am I right to assume unless I'm using a hardware option, that's a different process I shouldn't worry about until after I reframe to 16:9? Should I just be going 4:3 DV to a 720p HD codec in Compressor?

Its easier than that but i will tell you that there will be distortion.


create a dv ntsc sequence

drag the footage to the TL (timeline)

fcp will ask if you would like to make the SEQ match the footage - say no

once the footage is on the TL dbl click to load it to the viewer

click the motion tab

look for distortion and you will see that there is a number there

change this number to 0

render

""" What you do with what you have, is more important than what you could do, with what you don't have."

> > > Knowledge + Action = Wisdom - J. Corbett 1992 """"

Not sure what you are trying to do there, Corbett...

If you want to blow up 4:3 to HD, you will have to either pillar box (which looks reasonably ugly), or you will have to crop top and bottom. You can also manually reframe the shots before you send it for upconversion.

One way to do it is to cut in a 4:3 SD sequence with a matte and reframe your shots as you cut. Then remove the matte and upconvert the footage through an AJA Kona 3 card or a Teranex.

There are also a few other options, such as "Flexview" in the Teranex, which is non linear stretching and works by preserving the aspect ratio in the centre of the image and stretching the image out along the sides. It is a little similar to the "Panoramic" button in Quicktime Player. I personally don't like the distortion at the corners of the image.



www.strypesinpost.com