Anamorphic flags in DV PAL

This is a continuing enquiry from my previous question regarding issues with outputting anamorphic footage to a DV device.
In the past Final Cut has correctly added the anamorphic flag to the output stream, which is then identified by the DV device so it can display the content correctly without squashing it on a non 16:9 monitor.
But now it is a different story, it's been a while since I did an anamorphic project in Final Cut and now it's not playing ball.
I gave up trying to display my sequence correctly, and just edited on my computer display, but now that I'm trying to edit to tape, I'm having loads of problems.
Doesn't seem to matter what settings I use on a sequence, or in the edit to tape window, Final Cut is not adding the anamorphic flag to the output. I understand that my DV recording is essentially the same, but it would be nice if the anamorphic flag was there. As it will not be possible to play the footage correctly from any DV device to a monitor. Unless the monitor supports 16:9.
I've even tried exporting my sequence as an anamorphic DV QT file, sticking that file in an anamorphic sequence and setting edit to tape to DV PAL anamorphic, but it still outputs squashed 4:3, without the anamorphic flag.
I've noted a few other people having similar problems in the forums, but noone has offered any solid advice. Anyone else experienced something similar or knows a solution?
PowerMac G4 MDD Mac OS X (10.4.9)

I should also note that this is Final Cut 5.1.4 and Quicktime 7.1.6

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Batch conversion to replace the anamorphic flag in DV Stream

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MP4 - anamorph flag and multiple audio tracks

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Hope to get some answers.

modelone,
Thanks for your post. I have been experiencing the same problem of not being able to pass-through export an MP4 file that was encoded with CE-Quicktime profile.
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The patched MP4 file will now play back in correct aspect ratio in Quicktime and Apple TV.
Hope this helps!

Anamorphic flag in FC for title item properties

I've been trying to figure out how to get my titles to be anamorphic. I shoot it widescrenn 16:9, so all my FCE sequences are set to that.
I noticed some people change their title project properties to have a 1.25 pixel aspect ratio and then import it to FCE and then select item properties and set an "anamorphic flag."
HOW do you do this? When I select project properties for my live type title I can see the properties but I can't change anything but the title of the file. Everything else is grayed out.
How do I flag a LT file in FC to be recognized as anamorphic in FCE?
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In LiveType open the project properties with Command Zero. There will be a field for pixel aspect ratio. If this is greyed out there must be another issue. Is the file locked or in use by another application?

Losing Anamorphic flag (bug?) in FCP5

Hi all,
Working on a FCP5 set, I have a small problem (bug?).
Material captured as Anamorphic (DVCPRO50)
Working in Anamorphic sequences.
All is fine.
But when importing (File > Import) clips from other projects (in which material was captured as anamorphic) FCP5 does not recognise the anamorhic 'flag' and makes it 4:3.
Well, no problem. I know this one, so before inserting this imported clip, I set the flag to Yes (anamorphic).
I now insert this anamorphic clip into the anamorpic timeline.
Still everything works like a charm,
UNTIL I Match frame this clip from within the sequence. The clip which is anamorphic in the timeline matches to the same frame in the Viewer, but only in 4:3 !!! ???
The browser still says 'anamorphic', but the Viewer shows a 4:3 picture and inserts as 4:3 (so pillarboxes) in the anamorphic timeline.
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Interesting, though could this be an issue with DVCPRO50 material?
I ask because I'm unable to reproduce this with DVCPRO25 and DV/DVCAM material captured in Anamorphic, as well as QT Movies (of said captured material) created by FCP (and then reimported).
I also tried QT Conversion, then reimported, but I'm not able to reproduce the issue with Match Frame.

"PREVIEW DISABLED" APPEARS WHEN CAPTURING IN DVCAM PAL ANAMORPHIC

I'm trying to capture from a dv cam tape, pal anamorphic. the setting "DV PAL Anamorphic" results in a Preview Disabled window.
I am using a re-installed Quicktime, but that doesn't seem to be the problem because regular dv tapes are captured with no "Preview Disabled" window.
I am using a Sony DSR-11 to capture. It accepts large formate dvcam tapes, which is the tape in question.
Is there something else that I should be doing?
Can I capture even though the "preview disabled" window shows?

Yes, I've been capturing using the setting DV PAL Anamorphic for small format dvcam tapes, and it has worked fine. I have tested this before and after the large format DVCAM tape that was giving me the problem. (It was shot using a Sony dsr-500.)
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Widescreen 16:9 Dv-Pal

I’ve found a simple solution about managing anamorphic 16:9 Dv-Pal clips in iMovie and iDvd.
Thanks to Matti Haveri and Klaus1 for their basic indispensable suggestions.
The problem.
Big difficulties to stream in 16:9 hiQ, either files .dv saved into hard disk, either files .dv converted in .vob (mpeg2) on a Dvd.
If you export your clips from iMovie, those clips don’t have the 16:9 flag, so they work as 4:3 (squashed) with QuickTime or loading them into a iDvd project.
The solution for Dvds.
Open a 16:9 project in iDvd and import one or plus iMovie 16:9 projects. NOT exported clips, but iMovie PROJECTS. As you’ll see, clips show wide correctly.
Dv-Pal 16:9 clips backup.
Exporting from iMovie ad saving .dv files (hiQ) on a Dvd-rom is useful for future jobs.
When you want to watch those clips in QuickTime, you need to resize them from 720 to 1050 wide in QTpro, Window/Show Movie Properties/Video Track/Visual Settings, cheching also hi-quality and de-interlace (but don’t re.save file, that’s only for temporary streaming on Mac).
If you need to use those clips in a new iDvd project, don’t load them directly. Load them in a iMovie project, then save it, and finally import in iDvd the iMovie project.
Thank you all.
Best.
mbu
imac g5 intel Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Thanks so much you guys - yep, that fixed it. The import after interpretation fixed the issue and I have a beautiful integrated freeze frame in the correct aspect. Thanks also Colin for the TIFF solution.
Now as to who gets the "Correct Answer" points? You will agree, that three helpful and correct answers all within about 5 minutes of each other should warrent equal thanks - don't you agree? If I click "Helpful Answer" for all three of you, will that work? Will the system allow this?
If not, then please accept my thanks and appreciation. I'll let God sort it out later

How to export QT file in 16:9 when using DVX100E(pal)

Hi,
I shot some footage in 'Squeeze' mode 16:9, on Panasonic DVX100E( pal)
When I captured it (FCP 5.0.4) and checked the 'Anamorphic' option in the 'Sequence Settings' it had the right aspect in the Canvas (16:9). To see it correctly in the Viewer, I had to change 'Aspect Ratio' of the clip from -33.33 to zero (inside the 'Motion' tab)
Till that point everything seemed OK.
But when I tried to export it as a QT movie I got the file in 4:3 instead of 16:9. I've also tried to export it as 'Pal 48 Anamorphic', but still the same distorted image... Only when I exported it as Apple Intermediate Codec 720p30 or in any HD compressor I got the right ratio (16:9), but then the quality was not very good.
How can I solve this issue?
THANKS!
ymotion

Press command & J keys to open QuickTime Player's "Properties" window.
Click the Presentation tab.
Click the checkbox next to *Conform Aperture*.
It will jump to the Clean setting and your movie will display as 16:9.
Use this method only if the movie is intended to be viewed on a computer.
In a DVD authoring application, you would leave it as it is and set the anamorphic flag there instead.

Anamorphic DV export for iDVD - method?

Help!
I am using FCP 3.1 and iDVD 5.
I am editing an anamorphic sequence of PAL DV footage captured from a Panasonic hvx202 - recorded to tape in native 16:9 DV.
I want to export this sequence from FCP in a format for iDVD.
In order for a DVD player to replay in a 16:9 ratio I understand I need export as 720 x 405 ... that is, 'stretch' the image back to 16:9? ... Yes?
I can see two options:
1. Create Final Cut Pro movie:
a. I assume I make a Self Contained movie?
b. Do I use a Custom 16:9 setting of 720 x 405
c. Do I leave the anamorphic 16:9 button unchecked?
d. Do I use DV PAL compression? Or No compression?
e. I assume motion settings would be 25 fps?
2. Export as a Quicktime movie
I assume I use the Options settings and so:
a. Do I compress as Video, DV PAL, or none?
b. I assume motion settings would be 25 fps?
c. There is a default checked box for a keyframe every 24 frames: necessary? should it be 25 frames?
d. I assume I set the Size to 720 x 405 ?
e. Do I de-select "Prepare for Internet Streaming" ?
Help will be greatly appreciated,
Bill

First, your FCP sequence has to be 16:9.
In order to get iDVD5 to letterbox your footage you need to export from FCP using quicktime conversion (not quicktime movie)
Change the size to either NTSC or PAL 16:9 (I think it only gives you 1 option for NTSC or PAL 16:9) and under settings change the compression to match your project.
For some reason QuicktimePro and iDVD don't see the anamorphic flag created in FCP for Quicktime movie.

Final Cut Pro Video Playback not in Widescreen for Anamorphic Material

I have a Panasonic DVX-100B hooked up to my computer and am running Final Cut Pro. I shot everything in the anamorphic squeeze mode. When I play this material back through my camera (which displays the material as widescreen because I forced it on the camera menu) it doesn't playback on the TV in widescreen, it stretches it back out vertically. Is there a setting in Final Cut that will send the signal as a 16:9 signal to the TV, so that it will understand it correctly?

baadayakazi wrote:
Is there a setting in Final Cut that will send the signal as a 16:9 signal to the TV, so that it will understand it correctly?
No, FCP does not send out an anamorphic flag via firewire. What I mean is, it sends out the video to your deck simply as 720x480, without telling the deck (and therefore the monitor, as well) if that is supposed to be a 16:9 or 4:3 image. In order to monitor with the correct ratio, you'll need to have a monitor that can correct for aspect ratio.
If you're working on a pro monitor, it should have a 16:9 button (or menu setting, at least). Some recent - as in the last 4-5 years - consumers TVs also have an anamorphic squeeze feature that will compress the image vertically. If you've got a 16:9 TV, you'll need to use the stretch feature (of all things) to correct your preview image.
All that said, I'm guessing you fall into the last camp: you're previewing out to a consumer TV that cannot do vertical compression? If so, your only alternative is to nest your anamorphic sequence in a 4:3 one for preview purposes. Of course, this is needlessly cumbersome (and you run into the dreaded issues with nests failing to update every now-and-then) and requires more CPU horsepower. Either that or edit with the distorted image...
Or are you in a whole 'nother situation?

Anamorphic in a 16:9 Timeline?

I have a short 16:9 720p project in which I'm dropping in a few standard def 16:9 Anamorphic components. What's the best procedure to unsqueeze the Anamorphic pieces?

The standard aspect distort is 133.33.
However, check and see that the ANAMORPHIC flag is set in the clip settings first. Might not need to do anything but scale it.
CaptM

Captures but won't export Anamorphic

Hi..
I'm using FCP 4.5 in conjunction with a Sony Handycam. I'm shooting in the Cam's 16:9 aspect, and can successfully capture such clips, and edit them in FCP4.5, often in real time, even on a 1.42Ghz Mini!
However, when I export the edited clip using either "Current Settings" or NTSC Anamorphic, the resulting clip is still 720 x 480, not 800 x 450 as it should be!
FCP "knows" that the clip is Anamorphic. I use QT Pro to "fix" the clip back to the proper 16:9 ratio.
Is there something I'm missing here in my workflow which can make FCP just handle it once and be done with it?
thank you!
ray

You are operating under wrong assumptions. There is no such thing as DV 800x450
DV standard is 720x480
DV widescreen is 720x480 anamorphic
The pixel dimensions are the same. The difference is in the Pixel Aspect Ratio
Quicktime seems to ignore the anamorphic flag and so will not display anamorphic clips correctly. The workaround is to go into QT player and tell it that the clip is 16:9 anamorphic.
cheers,
x

Anamorphic sequence with letterboxes

Hi
I have a sequence that was shot on an xl2 in 16:9, it was digitized in a 4:3 project and edited. I have a client who only has widescreen tv's. I made the sequence 16:9 anamorphic in my sequence settings. It still has letter boxes on it, I need to remove the letter boxes. I tried removing attributes basic motion and distortion which has been recommended a lot here. Those attributes aren't an option, the only options for video are filter and speed. I tried dumping it to tape and digitizing it into a 16:9 anamorphic project but it only logs and captures in the 4:3 ratio with letterboxes. What should I do.

To start with you shouldn't capture and edit in 4:3 if your material is anamorphic. Now you're trying to resurrect the situation that you've quite badly messed up by not capturing and editing your material properly. At this stage it's kind of hard to tell what to do, without knowing what your program actually looks like and now the material is designated. Has the material been set to anamorphic? You probably need to do that first for ALL your material. You can do that in the browser columns for multiple items. It's more difficult for items that have been edited into sequences. Does the material at this stage look correct in the 4:3 sequence, or does it have letterboxing, or does it look distorted? You can set the anamorphic flag for this material for each item, but them you have to copy and paste the content into a new 16:9 sequence, and then you'll have to remove the distortion created by having edited it into a 4:3 sequence in the first place.

QuickTime 7 not displaying video in 16.9 Anamorphic

I'm sure other users have discovered this frustrating problem with QT 7 and if anyone can point me to a solution I would be very grateful.
After exporting my edited Final Cut Pro movies (Which are displayed correctly in 16.9 widescreen) through QuickTime conversion all my films are displayed in squared 4.3 with ugly letter boxing left and right of frame.
Can someone tell me why QT 7 does not play a movie in it's correct and intended viewing ratio and if there is a magic trick to diplay my movies properly please?
I am willing to upgrade to QuickTime Pro if this is the only solution available!!!!
Happy New Year to you all.
P.S. I'm using the following:
Sony HDV Z1 Camcorder (True widescreen 16.9) Squeeze mode
Final Cut Studio with Final Cut Pro HD 4.5
QuickTime Version 7.6.4
Message was edited by: fizzvideo

Can someone tell me why QT 7 does not play a movie in it's correct and intended viewing ratio and if there is a magic trick to diplay my movies properly please?
QT 7 utilizes the "Current Size" attribute to display a file in its proper aspect. Thus, if you want an anamorphic file to display properly in both QT 7 and QT X, you must ensure the file is embedded with both the anamorphic flag/values (for iMovie '08, '09, '11, QT X, etc.) and the "Current Size" value (for QT 7, iTunes, GarageBand, etc.)
I am willing to upgrade to QuickTime Pro if this is the only solution available!!!!
QT 7 Pro would be the easiest way to re-scale the file for proper display in the QT 7 Player (and all other players that utilize the "Current Size" setting). Otherwise, the normal way to correct the problem would be to re-compress the the video. (Note that the reverse is not true. QT 7 Pro will not embed an anamorphic flag/value to make an improperly displayed file in QT X display properly.)
After exporting my edited Final Cut Pro movies (Which are displayed correctly in 16.9 widescreen) through QuickTime conversion all my films are displayed in squared 4.3 with ugly letter boxing left and right of frame.
Since you do not provide any specific import-export information, I suspect you are editing in an anamorphic compression format that loses the embedded flag/value during export. When this happens, the file is assumed to be in a 4:3 aspect and the "Current Size" attribute is automatically set for 4:3 display dimensions.

FCP ver.7 Crashes importing DV PAL

I have just installed the new Final Cut Pro Studio (ver.7) and it crashes when I try to log abd transfer from a simple DV camcoder (Samsung)connected via Firewire.
Tried different settings but since the software crashes without messages, I have no clue if and what is wrong.
The system is a MacPro 2.66 quadcore with 6Gb of memory and 1Tb disk.
Everything works fine with iMovie and once imported with iMovie the clips are perfectly usable in FCP but I would like to do it in one step.
Thanks in advance for any suggestion.
Gigi

Before you do anything with your footage, go to the menu bar:
Final Cut Pro > Easy Setup > DV PAL (Check the Anamorphic variation of DV PAL if you shot 16:9).
Menu bar again: Sequence > Settings > Load Sequence Preset.
Save your project. Go to Log & Capture and try again.
Should that not work, trash FCP preferences and use Disk Utility to repair permissions.
Restart your computer.
You will need to reset your scratch drive in FCP's User Preferences after this, to make sure it is writing to the correct hard drive for your media.

Anamorphic flags in DV PAL

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