Inspecting FCE pixel ratio - always anamorphic, or square force possible?

We produce widescreen (16:9) DVDs using FCE+iDVD and some DVD players crop the sides of the video, even when playing the video on a widescreen monitor. Other DVD players letterbox the top and bottom of the frame and interpolate the played area of the screen. (The played area appears to be interpolated because there is interpolation-based pixelation and blurring on the letterboxed displays, but not on the cropped displays.) We're consistenly getting issues when producing video on FCE, and the aspect ratio issues were traced back to FCE using anamorphic pixel ratios.
(Also, we had the problem in the past with iDVD not detecting FCE output (using quicktime conversion (854x480)) as being anamorphic - this problem was worked around using anamorphicizer.)
Therefore, I want to use square pixels in FCE, since we use both DVDs, and web-based methods of disseminating our video, the square pixels will hopefully avoid this issue with the DVD players playing things in different modes, and at the same time will keep the web-based video pixels square so we don't have morphic problems when we go to web. Is it possible (to force FCE to use square pixels)?
Also, is it possible to examine the video using any products (mac, third party, open source, etc) to query the produced video and determine what the pixel ratios are? I don't want to have to go to Adobe products since we just had the editor buy FCE, but that's the only viable solution I know which will produce the proper aspect ratio and pixel aspect ratios reliably....

Thanks Tom, we do record in HD - 1080p in AVCHD. I believe FCE transcodes the video into the apple intermediate codec, am I correct on that one? We produce publicity videos that we then put on youtube for some clients. We're running into issues where the aspect ratio is off when going to a square pixel video format. Is it possible to tell FCE to export into square pixels? I want to produce some videos in square pixels for posting to web-based media and some in anamorphic pixels for DVD work ....
As far as the letterboxing point then, is iDVD really just that bad? I had seen quality issues with it before, but I didn't think it could possibly be this bad... Our editor has Toast; is that a potential alternative for authoring the DVDs?

Similar Messages

Pixel ratio problems

I am having aspect ratio problems with digital footage in FCE lately. The footage is shot on a couple of sony cameras (mine is a dcr-hc96) and captured directly into FCE. The footage is shot in 4:3 and I want the movie to be 4:3 to post on YouTube, etc. I have been capturing the clips using the "NTSC DV" setup (via firewire).
The problem is, when I save or export the movies, the frame is stretched. When I inspect it using QT Pro, it shows the size as "720x480 (640x480)" and the display is stretched wider than normal from side to side. Apparently, the image needs rectangular pixels but is using square pixels. The only way I can get a proper frame size is to explicitly export to "640x480 VGA." This has only started happening recently. (Possibly since I installed QT Pro...)
Any suggestions? I looked here and did not find anything directly applicable. The user manual does not help (it says "fortunately, FCE always works with native resolutions so you get the exact pixel dimensions.")
thanks in advance
Powerbook G4
OS 10.4.10
FCE 3.5.1
QT Pro 7.2

+why this would happen...+
When you Export/Quicktime Movie or Export/Using Quicktime Conversion (and you use a DV codec) the resulting .mov file will always have rectangular pixels: 720x480 for NTSC. This is correct and it will display correct on a TV from the video DVD after burning this file.
If however you want to watch the same .mov file on a Mac (or PC) monitor, the player must change the pixel aspect ratio during playback, since Mac monitors are square pixels devices. The corresponding media is not affected by this option, but only the QT Player playback.
QT Player (with QT Pro) should default the Presentation option to: Conform aperture to = Clean, as I wrote in my previous answer: this is telling QT Player to make the pixel ratio conversion on the fly. My guess is that the "Conform Aperture to" option is not properly set for you; if it is not set, or it is set to Classic or Encoded Pixels it will show the stretched pixels. The Production option is almost like Clean.
If you export from FCE to some format other than DV in general its pixels are already square (e.g. H.264 has 320x240) and the Conform Aperture to option shouldn't affect the QT Player playback.
I hope this clarifies the point.
Piero

Pixel ratio, speed & quality...

I am making a slide show in FCP with the preset HDV1080i50 which gives me a frame size of 1440 x 1080 px (HD 1440 x 1080) (16:9) and pixel ratio HD (1440 x 1080) and anamorphic 16:9 not checked. I was told to work with the presets without modifying them.
Now I want to create some jpg images to fill the whole screen and with no distortion. What size and how do I prepare these files?
This movie will play on a hdtv video projector.
I also intend to downscale the movie to put it on sd dvd.
Another question... does a big jpg affects the performance of FCP? I mean if I import 500 1440x1080px jpg 10/12 into FCP to fill the whole screen or if I import 500 +/- 4000x2000px jpg 10/12 to be resized/cropped into FCP, will it make a difference in speed to create the movie, to render and to export it and will it make a difference of quality at the end?

+why this would happen...+
When you Export/Quicktime Movie or Export/Using Quicktime Conversion (and you use a DV codec) the resulting .mov file will always have rectangular pixels: 720x480 for NTSC. This is correct and it will display correct on a TV from the video DVD after burning this file.
If however you want to watch the same .mov file on a Mac (or PC) monitor, the player must change the pixel aspect ratio during playback, since Mac monitors are square pixels devices. The corresponding media is not affected by this option, but only the QT Player playback.
QT Player (with QT Pro) should default the Presentation option to: Conform aperture to = Clean, as I wrote in my previous answer: this is telling QT Player to make the pixel ratio conversion on the fly. My guess is that the "Conform Aperture to" option is not properly set for you; if it is not set, or it is set to Classic or Encoded Pixels it will show the stretched pixels. The Production option is almost like Clean.
If you export from FCE to some format other than DV in general its pixels are already square (e.g. H.264 has 320x240) and the Conform Aperture to option shouldn't affect the QT Player playback.
I hope this clarifies the point.
Piero

Can't render out 1.44 pixel ratio for SD 16:9 UK TVC broadcast requirements ?

I'm prepping a TV advert for broacast in the UK and the station require an SD 16:9 1.44 pixel ratio 720x576 (1024x576), the problem is this just doesn't seem possible in after effects or any adobe porduct I can see ?
The only thing I can do is render out a 1.46 pixel ratio 720x576 (1050x576) version.
Any help on this would be greatly apreciated !

1.44 is actually wrong according to the specifications. The PAR for NTSC footage is also wrong. There's an article somewhere on the Adobe site that explains the decision and there's an article by Chris and Trish Meyer on the subject. Adobe changed it to be more, not less compliant. It wasn't that long ago and we were working with 640 X 480 as the standard video size for digital production. The very best workflow is to work in square pixels anyway and only squeeze the image as a final step. And as I said before, there are dozens of codecs that don't even have a spot in their container to define PAR. For some it's like trying to add PPI info to a .gif -
What codec do they require? What data rate? Where's the white paper. I'd be glad to read it. In practical terms, and for every network from the US, to France, to Japan, that I've ever submitted work to, match their request for delivery format and they never look back. They just take your money and play your stuff. Only once in more than 40 years of submitting programming to television did I have to send a network a different file or tape.
You can't be the only AE artist producing for broadcast in the UK. I've been in television since 1969 and was one of the first utilizers of desktop production in a major US market. It's about scan lines and timeing (frame size). Go to Angie Taylors's blog and ask her the question. She's one of the top AE artists and trainers in the UK.

Video pixel ratio in Adobe Bridge CS3

How do I get the video Pixel Ratio to show in Bridge CS3? I went to preference and it is already checked. But, I can't seem to figure out how it show in the metadata tab. Thanks for your help.
Perry

In the Find box the Match drop down has 2 options. "If all criteria is met" is like "and" while "if any criteria met" is like "or" logic.

How to deal with different Pixel Ratios?

Hi, I have a project in which I use two different pixel ratios (0.9) and (1.2). Now of course, they both look squished, and not only that but the exporting of the file is completely messed up, with black bars and still some squishiness. Does anyone know any easy way to fix this? I have hundreds of files which are of different pixel ratios. If they need to be the same ratio going in, how is it that I can BATCH convert them to the same one? Since it would be such a pain to do them individually. Thank you so much for your time!

First decide on your output format, 16x9 or 4x3. Once you have made that decision, create a sequence in that format and use scale to frame size in the preferences before importing those clips. Do not scale up to lose the black borders, unless you don't care about the quality.

720 x 480 DV sequence export aspect ratio always wrong. How come?

Finally finished editing one of the sequences and want to export and test it,
But no matter what settings in QuickTime Conversion (or just QuickTime Movie) parameters I do (e.g., Size), the exported file always seems to be in the wrong aspect ratio.
I need to have the resulting movie burned on DVD for showing.
Any tips appreciated.
Sequence settings are 29.97 fps, 720 x 480, DV/DVCPRO NTSC, NTSC CCIR 601, 48 KHz.
Thanks.

Hi guys.
OK, I hate to use the words "I assumed" because you know you are going to get into trouble for saying them! But... I guess this is how the newbies like me learn the difference between assumptions about certain theoretical concepts and their real-world exceptions.
"I assumed" that in FCE/FCP that if I set a sequence's settings in the new "multi-format" timeline, that FCE/FCP would keep that sequence throughout the timeline, and automagically conform whatever clip formats that I put into it, into the sequence's formats. And therefore that I no longer need to worry about the original format of the clips, and just focus on using the sequence's settings as the final assembly format.
(Please advise if this assumption is incorrect).
Thus, my sequence settings above
29.97 fps, 720 x 480, DV/DVCPRO NTSC, NTSC CCIR 601, 48 KHz
combine footage from
1) HDV camcorder imported into iMovie 08 as 960 x 540 (the "lower resolution" option from iMovie '08 import), 16-bit @ 48 KHz (Big Endian), 25 fps
2) AVI files (DiVX 512 x 384, MP3 at 44.1 KHz, 23.98 fps)
The AVI DiVX footage is actually television program recorded content. The HDV footage (converted to 960 x 540 resolution by iMovie) is what I shot myself.
What I am doing is trying to cut in my HDV footage (home video) into the TV show's content to create a humorous entertaining video to show family and friends.
So after editing this thing for the past week, I am now ready to test on the target devices (iPod, DVD).
The edited cut plays fine in FCE's preview.
However, on export, the original TV show's content is in the wrong aspect ratio. That is, it is a bit wider, pulled out horizontally. Not significantly wider (e.g., not like 4:3 pulled to 16:9) but just not in the proper aspect ratio. I can't really tell if the superimposed HDV (that is, 960 x 540, not actually 1080i) footage is pulled out too (most of that is shrunk down or otherwise distorted, in the final assembly).
I have spent two days now exporting to many different formats, etc. but none of them seem to work. I just don't understand why. I would have thought that "forcing" the pixel dimensions using QuickTime Conversion's "Size" option would brute-force ensure the resulting video has the exact required dimensions and thus aspect ratio, but it does not seem to be my result.
Help much appreciated!
Thanks.

How to correct pixel ratios?

I quote the following from the Adobe Elements 8 Editor Help file on the topic, "Capturing or adding various aspect ratios":
"If a specific type of image is consistently misinterpreted (distorted) when you add it, you can add to or change the entries in the Interpretation Rules.txt file by using a text editor, such as Notepad."
I found the Interpretation Rules .txt file, and changed the ration for 720x480 frame files. But this is a read only file, so I can't save the changes. Besides, it does not appear as though Premier is accessing this file, since the default value for 720x480 files evaluates to "0.9" there, but Premier is actually using "0.9091". So my question is: How do I actually change the uniform rule for pixel aspect ration interpretation?

OK, I tried that, but got the warning message when I saved the changed file:
"Cannot create the C:...Interpretation Rules.txt file.
Make sure the path and file name are correct."
(BTW, how do you inser a screen print into this message?)
So I still cannot save the changes, even though I unchecked read-only.

Setting pixel ratio in PS-7.0

I searched the forum and only found references about changing to 0.9 pixels. But I'm puzzled as to where this can be controlled.

ya. here's a
cached google page indicating that feature was new for CS (version 8. )
>But the more major addition is support for pixel aspect ratio correction, something video professionals have been requesting for quite a while.

Can I change IPhone Camera 3GS pixel settings from 2048x1536 to a smaller 640x480 pixel setting? So that all of my photos will be taken at the new and desired lower pixel ratio?

Hi. My Apple IPhone 3GS Camera takes pictures at 2048x1536 pixels = TOO LARGE..
Every IPhone picture that I transfer to my computer must be resized on my computer.
My desired sizes approx after it is 700x525 or approximate near that.
Most of my EBay or Forums require the smaller pixel or MB sized photos.
Can I change the resolution my IPhone 3GS shoots at?
So that all photos can be shot at 640x480 or approximate near that?
Is resetting the IPhone 3GS camera to a smaller pixel size than 2048x1536?
If not, is there a permantent setting inside my IPhone 3GS that I can set the
export pixel output TO ALL EXPORTS to my computers?
I want to have it set as a command and not have to change pictures individually.
*** Maybe you know of options or possibilities I do not know about?
Please help. Thank you

I'm reading this post in the iPhoto for iOS forum. Since your issue seems specific to an iPhone perhaps if you posted your question in an iPhone forum you'll get some assistance.

How to solve pixelation, ives always been confused!

Hi!
I have created a background on photoshop which prints out fine but when I view it on the screen on view it in flash where I want to use it for a background, the edges are all pixelated, my dimesions are 16:9 so I did 16cm by 9cm. does anyone know how to solve this problem, sorry if its sounds daft im a newbee!
thanks,
Helen

Assuming you need the image for Flash output....
If you keep everything the same size you should be ok.
i.e if your flash output is, say, 800x450 pixels then keep the background image 800x450 pixels@ 72 ppi. If Flash is resizing the image above this then it will pixelate....is the Flash image at 100%?
Chris

Compressor changed my pixel ratio

So I'm trying to compress a QT movie I made in Motion using H.264. The result compressor gave me looked pretty good but it changed my dimensions from 720x480 to 320x240, which is not the same ratio. It's crunched my circular graphics into ovals and gave me those black bars on the sides. I've gotta get my original ratio back.
Secondly, how can I raise my data rate in compressor under the H.264 preset? I couldn't find any options for that.
Many Thanks,
Jagr

The result compressor gave me looked pretty good but it changed my dimensions from 720x480 to 320x240,
Compressor inspector window>geometry tab>frame size>popdown menu>720x480.
how can I raise my data rate in compressor under the H.264 preset?
Compressor inspector window>Encoder tab>click settings button right next to video> a window pops up>Check out the data rate settings on the top right corner of the window> Select *restrict to* and enter whatever value you may want to try (Try values under 2000 kbits/sec or higher> do some tests).
Testing is essential part of your work.
G.
Message was edited by: gogiangigo

Pixel ratio output problem

A bit of a newbie here with a problem. I'm actually just doing an exercise from a book and I'm a little confused about something.
I have a composition that I have set to NTSC D1. I have imported .swf footage that was created at 720x534, wider than the final format to account for the stretching. Once inside AE, I fit the footage to the comp. The footage in AE now looks stretched. I understand though that when this is used in on video hardware it will look correct.
So I rendered out the composition to a .mov file. When I view this file, the animation is no longer stretched. I expected this to still look stretched on my computer monitor, and that if this video were shown on a TV or other video that it would look correct.
I don't understand why the .mov isn't stretched anymore. Can anyone help?
Thanks in advance.

It looks like this is just a Quicktime setting. Quicktime is adjusting the output you see so that it doesn't look stretched by default.
There is a "Conform aperture to:" option in Window > Show Movie Properties.
This article pointed the way:
http://www.digitalrebellion.com/blog/posts/why_does_quicktime_report_a_different_resolutio n.html

Premiere Pro with Matrox02 mini--I don't need separate graphics card, just an HDMI monitor, right? with 1-to-1 pixel ratio?

Just confirming--using mac and Premiere--and Matrox--but ordered an NV card too--with all the hullaballoo regarding Premiere specs... They never mentioned Matrox (to my knowlege) as a 'graphics card'--I guess, because it is!?!

Mavericks is designed to use as much RAM as possible. Free RAM is wasted RAM... it's RAM that's not working for you, not doing anything helpful. Seeing your RAM full is not an indication that there is a problem. Seeing your memory pressure graph spike would be.
As for the performance issues, see my Mac Performance Guide.
Note that you've got a lot of third-party software loaded:
Launch Daemons:
          [loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist
          [not loaded] com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist
          [not loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist
          [not loaded] com.livescribe.PenCommService.plist
          [not loaded] com.luthresearch.scservice.plist
          [not loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist
          [not loaded] com.paceap.eden.licensed.plist
          [not loaded] PACESupport.plist
Launch Agents:
          [not loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist
          [not loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist
          [not loaded] com.luthresearch.savvyconnectmenu.plist
          [not loaded] com.wacom.pentablet.plist
User Launch Agents:
          [not loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist
          [not loaded] com.facebook.videochat.[redacted].plist
          [not loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist
          [not loaded] com.Livestation.plist
          [not loaded] com.spotify.webhelper.plist
You should probably try to weed some of that out, if possible, or at least make sure it's all updated and compatible with Mavericks.

Captivate 2: Static text-box always part of e-learning: Possible?

Captivate 2: Does someone know if it is possible to have a
static text-"box" that always is shown e.g. under the e-learning
corse/demo? Where one can put in theoretic information without it
having to be placed over and hiding the demo/course itself.

Captivate will publish to the dimensions of your project. So
if your
project is 640x480, you'll have a 640x480 SWF after
publishing.
To make additional space below your Captivate demonstration,
I imagine
you could resize (say) a 640x480 file down to 640x400 file so
all the
screen elements are shrunk down (disproportionately in that
example
dimension), then resize the file back up to 640x480, which
might just
leave you with 80 pixels of blank space at the bottom.
Or, perhaps easier, just increase the size of your project
from the
sample 640x480 to 640x530 for an additional 50 pixels at the
bottom.
You would have to then still place the text box on each and
every screen
in Captivate though. There's no way to make one and have it
appear in
the same place for every slide in one slick move...that I
know of, anyway.
OR, if you don't care if the text box is actually within the
SWF file,
just put it in the HTML page which the SWF file is assumingly
embedded into?
Erik
avlund wrote:
> Does someone know if it is possible to have a static
text-"box" that always is
> shown e.g. under the e-learning corse/demo? Where one
can put in theoretic
> information without it having to be placed over and
hiding the demo/course
> itself.
>
Erik Lord
http://www.capemedia.net
Adobe Community Expert - Authorware
http://www.adobe.com/communities/experts/
http://www.awaretips.net -
samples, tips, products, faqs, and links!
*Search the A'ware newsgroup archives*
http://groups.google.com/group/macromedia.authorware
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server is present!*

Inspecting FCE pixel ratio - always anamorphic, or square force possible?

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