16:9 idvd dilemma

Question

Hi, I was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction.
I shot my project using a DCR-TRV 17 Sony Camera. I'm editing in Final Cut Pro 3.0.2. I'm burning dvd's on idvd.
My project was shot in 16:9. I edited in 16:9. In FCP it plays in 16:9 and looks great. All of the settings in FCP are for 16:9.
My problem is when I burn the dvd, the image is stretched into a 4:3 space. It looks awful. There don't seem to be any settings in quicktime or idvd that can correct this issue.
Can anyone tell me how to burn a 16:9 dvd?
Thank you for all of your help. You guys are terrific.
Have a great week.
BK

Answer 1

Shooting Anamorphic and outputting Anamorphic to iDVD:
NOTE: This works with FCP 3.0.2
1) Check Final Cut Pro> audio/video settings>Sequence Presets>DV NTSC 48 khz Superwhite (make sure this is checked. It's the default setting.)
2) Check Final Cut Pro>Audio/Video settings>Capture Presets>DVNTSC 48khz (Make sure this is checked. It's the default setting.)
3) Import the 16:9 clip in 4:3 while in standard miniDV capture presets. If you drag the clip into the sequence timeline, you will notice that it has to be rendered, but don't, because your next step is to arrange a sequence you can work in without rendering your source material.
4) Check Final Cut Pro>audio/video settings>Sequence Presets>and double click on the DV NTSC 48 khz Superwhite. Doing this will allow you to create settings.
(NOTE: You want to create a new sequence while using the new sequence settings.) Click the 16:9 box and apply. When you exit the screen, check to see that there is a check mark beside the new sequence setting.) Exit the screen and create a brand new sequence. The first thing you'll notice is the new aspect ratio in the sequence viewer.
5) Drag the clip into your new sequence. You can now work in this timeline without having to render the anamorphic material.
6) Here is the tricky part that took me hours to figure out. Check Final Cut Pro> audio/video settings>Sequence Presets>DV NTSC 48 khz Superwhite (Make sure this is checked. It should be set at the default setting before you create a new sequence.)
7) Create a new sequence. The viewer should be 4:3, or you can use the original sequence you started with.
8) Return to your edited sequence which will be in the 16:9. (NOTE: Don't click and drag, or cut and paste your sequence. Instead, drag the sequence from the BROWSER into your new sequence. It will nest automatically and it will have to be rendered, but the top and bottom bars in the viewer will show a 16:9 frame in a 4:3 sequence.
9) Render your new sequence.
10) Export as a FCP movie. Check the self contained box. Make sure under SETTINGS, you select the CUSTOM setting that will allow you to check the 16:9 box. You are now ready to export a suitable 16:9 file that will work in iDVD without distortion.