4x3 DVDSP Menus from 16x9 anamorphic video

Question

Title: 4x3 DVDSP Menus from 16x9 anamorphic video
Goal: Create 4x3 scaled videos from 16x9 anamorphic asset
Asset: NTSC - CCIR 601 / DV ( 720 x 480 ) from Sony DCR SR-300
Solution:
Create a sequence; cmd-0 to see settings;
Turn on Pixel Aspect Ratio anamorphic 16:9 ( this makes the Canvas look like wide screen )
Select custom frame size; Set WidthxHeight 480x480 ( Canvas now looks 4:3)
Because:
Pixels are 16:9 so while 640x480 is in 4:3 ratio, the pixels are wide so the frame is wide
Meaningfully mnemonically: 480 is three-quarters of 16 so reducing the frame width to 480 gives you fewer pixels wide but the wider pixels push the outside dimensions of the canvas to the 4:3 you need for the DVDSP menu display.
Caveat:
When loading a clip into the sequence, say No to setting the Seq Settings to the Clip settings.
You've customized the sequence and you don't want the clip to change you sequence customization.
Verification:
I saved this as a QT Ref Movie; loaded it to a DVDSP 4:3 Menu and it looked the way I expected.

Answer 1

4:3 Menus from 16:9 clips