Frame size and compressor

I had captured a mini DV movie in another program as an .avi file. When I import this file as is into FCE, its properties show in the browser as:
frame size 720 x 480
compressor DV/DVCPRO - NTSC
data rate 3.6 MB/sec
I then used MPEG Streamclip to export this .avi file into a QuickTime file in 3 different ways. The methods, and resultant properties as they show in FCE, are as follows:
Test 1:
Compressor = Apple DV/DVCPRO - NTSC
Frame size = 720 x 480
Data rate = 3.6 MB/sec
Test 2:
Compressor = Apple Intermediate Codec
Frame size = 720 x 480
Data rate = 2.5 MB/sec
Test 3:
Compressor = Apple Intermediate Codec
Frame size = 640 x 480
Data rate = 2.3 MB/sec
Observations and questions:
In the FCE canvas, Test 1 and Test 2 look pretty much identical. Test 3 looks very slightly horizontally stretched compared to the other tests. Or, as everything's relative, Test 1 and Test 2 look very slightly horizontally compressed compared to Test 3. By the way, I placed markers in each test clip at the exact same frame to get a good comparison. Then I jumped marker to marker while looking at the canvas.
QUESTION 1: Is FCE in fact handling these clips differently due to the different frame sizes?
When I play the clips in QuickTime Player (not pro), Test 1 and Test 2, which both have frame size 720 x 480, are horizontally stretched. Test 3, frame size 640 x 480, is normal. The differences between the stretched and the normal are much more pronounced than they appear in the FCE canvas. When I open the ORIGINAL .avi captured clip (720 x 480) in QT Player, it is normal, not stretched like Test 1 and Test 2 which have the same 720 x 480 size.
QUESTION 2: I know this isn't the QT forum, but is this normal behavior in QT Player?
When I open iDVD version 7.0.3 from iLife '09, the only one of the three test clips that appears in the media browser is Test 3.
QUESTION 3: Does anyone know why? I posted this in the iDVD forum; nobody replied.
I then put the three test clips on the timeline in FCE and exported the sequence as a QuickTime movie. When I play it in QT Player, it is (gulp) stretched; ALL of it, not just the Test 1 and Test 2 portions. The finished .mov file DOES appear in the iDVD media browser; when I preview it there, it is STRETCHED.
QUESTION 4: When I export .avi to QT files in MPEG Streamclip, what compressor should I choose for use in FCE?
QUESTION 5: When I export .avi to QT files in MPEG Streamclip, what frame size should I choose for use in FCE?
QUESTION 6: Why are FCE and QT Player handling the differences in frame size in different ways? FCE shows a very slight difference when viewed in the canvas, whereas QT Player shows a drastic stretching when playing the clips.
Thanks for your help.

jla930 wrote:
QUESTION 1: Is FCE in fact handling these clips differently due to the different frame sizes?
Apple Intermediate Codec is reserved to transcode HD content (from HDV or AVCHD). Don't use it for Stand def DV-NTSC nor PAL.
QUESTION 2: I know this isn't the QT forum, but is this normal behavior in QT Player?
There is a setting in quicktime player pro under movie properties (command-J) to select the correct aperture option. That's enable the correct aspect ratio when movie is opened with quicktime.
QUESTION 3: Does anyone know why? I posted this in the iDVD forum; nobody replied.
That's because all cool members are here.
I then put the three test clips on the timeline in FCE and exported the sequence as a QuickTime movie. When I play it in QT Player, it is (gulp) stretched; ALL of it, not just the Test 1 and Test 2 portions. The finished .mov file DOES appear in the iDVD media browser; when I preview it there, it is STRETCHED.
See question #2
QUESTION 4: When I export .avi to QT files in MPEG Streamclip, what compressor should I choose for use in FCE?
DVCPRO50-NTSC for standard definition and Apple Intermediate Codec (1080i60 or 50 or 720p) for HD.
QUESTION 5: When I export .avi to QT files in MPEG Streamclip, what frame size should I choose for use in FCE?
720X480 for SD, 1920X1080 or 1280X720 for HD
QUESTION 6: Why are FCE and QT Player handling the differences in frame size in different ways? FCE shows a very slight difference when viewed in the canvas, whereas QT Player shows a drastic stretching when playing the clips.
See question #2
Michel Boissonneault

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I thought FCP X 10.1.1 could handle non-standard frame sizes?

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I hit the E key to send it to the timeline only to receive the old "not recognised" error message as shown below.
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I was trying to set "Custom" when I created the new project.
I didn't know, or had forgotten, that in the "error" window I could select "Custom".
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I am wondering about frame size and the right work flow.
I have a little blue blur at the bottom of the film (not all the time)
I see this as I watch on the monitor in 16.9 pal
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Frame size and compressor

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