Letterboxing when using 16:9 footage in 4:3 project...

Hi,
I have a project here that is DV-NTSC-720x480-4x3.
Now when I import footage that is 720x480 / 4x3 it is displayed properly e.g. this file:
Codec : MPEG-2 Video
Codec profile : Main@Main
Codec settings/Matri : Standard
Bit rate : 9800 Kbps
Bit rate mode : CBR
Width : 720 pixels
Height : 480 pixels
Display Aspect ratio : 4/3
Frame rate : 29.970 fps
Standard : NTSC
Chroma : 4:2:0
Interlacement : Top Field First
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.946
When I try to import footage that is 720x480 / 16x9, PP Pro automatically does a Pan & Scan on the footage e.g. on this file:
Codec : MPEG-2 Video
Codec profile : Main@Main
Codec settings/Matri : Standard
Bit rate : 8000 Kbps
Bit rate mode : CBR
Width : 720 pixels
Height : 480 pixels
Display Aspect ratio : 16/9
Frame rate : 29.970 fps
Standard : NTSC
Chroma : 4:2:0
Interlacement : Top Field First
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.772
Regarding this automatic Pan & Scan for 16:9 footage (in a 4:3 project) I have a few questions...
1. Am I right assuming that the pixels are "stretched" when doing a Pan & Scan on imported 16:9 footage (in a 4:3 project) ?
--> meaning: the quality is worse than using letterboxing ?
2. How can I apply letterboxing on 16:9 footage imported into a 4:3 project ?
--> I read the manual and it states that u can adjust that with the Motion properties Scale & Position but is there an automatic solution in PP Pro ?
--> I've adjusted the Scale to 75.5 % (which looks okay) but what is the correct percentage ?
3. Where can I change settings in PP Pro to put all 16:9 footage (in a 4:3 project) automatically in letterbox format ?
As always, thanx for your help in advance !
Mike

This is what I would do...
First my question is: are you working in HD or SD?
Second, make a new sequence. (make sure it prompts you to select what sequence you want). If you're working in SD (standard definition) select DV NTSC 48khz Anamorphic. This basically means, that you're working in 720x480 SD but with 16:9 ratio.
If you're working in HD. make a new sequence selecting: HDV - 1080 60i. HDV aspect ratio, by default, is already 16:9.
Thats all you should have to do. Don't distort each clip one by one. You'd be wasting time.
Oh, i just realized another thing. How you Captured the footage! This is crucial. If the footage is 16:9...how did you capture it?
let me know...
mo

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