Aspect ratio query FCP

Hi there, wonder if someone can help with this/
I have filmed a short piece of PAL SD footage in 16:9 format on a Sony Z1 camera.
The finished job is to be 16:9 SD output to DVD PAL.
Can some one confirm what settings I should use from the easy set-up menu for capturing the project? should I be capturing footage as anamorphic?
The reason I ask is that I am being given contrasting info from the chap I am sharing the editing with and don't want to get it wrong from the start.
On his FCP system he is saying that his sequence is NOT set as anamorphic, his browser and canvas viewers are NOT anamorphic, yet he says that the project is still 16:9 ? He says that he is viewing via an external broadcast monitor in 16:9 and only this will show the 16:9 true aspect of the project?
If he clicks sequence settings, sure enough there is NO tick under anamorphic, likewise in the logging list window, yet he still says the finished job will be 16:9, how can this be? i am really confused by this.
I just want the finished job to be as shot from the Sony Z1 camera and to able to view the footage as shot in my browser & canvas windows. I was under the impression that my Z1 footage is anamorphic as it wasn't shot in HDV mode?
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
Stuart

Hi Stuart
Import it as anamorphic. This will ensure that the right flags are set in QuickTime so it will display correctly on your screen. If you end up sending the final project to tape, either system will still look right when that tape is played, but what's the point of editing in the wrong aspect ratio? The only difference between SD 4:3 and SD 16:9 is that they are displayed differently. The information each format contains is otherwise identical. So go ahead and tick the anamorphic box that Apple have provided so that your pictures are stretched to the correct aspect ratio. In that way everything will look right as you edit, and any graphics you apply won't turn out short and fat in the finished product.
Ian

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