Resizing HD Video On A 720 x 480 4:3 Sequence

Ok I'm quite new to FCP but fairly experienced at NLE and have decided I "AM" going to learn FCP and all it can do for me . . I have the MacPro quad core 2.8GHz and I have the FCS3, so why not right? So, here's my current issue.
My source material (scratch media) is 1920x1080 AVCHD that I transcoded via ProRez422 and it is viewable and I've multicam cut it and sent it to the timeline which is NTSC 4:3 720.480 and ouch, it's all waaaaaay to big for the screen which I desire to have as letterbox.
Now I know I can go through each of the clips and using the resizing/positioning tool above the (master viewer) Canvas . . however . . with there being like 60 clips x 3 shows this will be one major pistol of a job even though I will do it if I have to but is there a fast way to get the Y axis of the source (scratch media) material to just fit automatically to the 720 wide? In Avid I smily highlighted all the video, right clicked the highlighted material, and clicked the drop down box which had options for fit to widest width, fit to X, fit to X keeping aspect ratio, etc. and thus I would choose Fit to Y Keep Aspect Ratio . . and "woot" all the clips that were 1920 x 1080 fit the 4:3 screen to the width and were perfect screen ration with black bars at the top and bottom (letterbox)
Can anyone shed some light on this problem of mine?

Great and thank you. That will definitely work. I have a friend in NYC who I texted and she said I could also down scale one of the clips to the right method using the crosshairs on the canvas THEN do a copy clip THEN highlight all the clips using the all media right arrow and then click on one of the highlighted clips and THEN do a paste attributes. That worked too. Nice. I'm learning . . slooooooow . . but I'm learning. Just wished I could output to DVD or to an MEPG2 file right from FCP instead of having to go to DVD Studio Pro Would avoid me multiple steps AND more things to have to click and use.

Similar Messages

If my imported video files are 720 by 480 will my movie have to be small sized?

I'm editing DV video files that, when I look at the specs on the file, says that the dimensions are 720 x 480. Common sense tells me that I shouldn't necessarily have to end up with a DVD that only covers about 1/3rd of my final viewing screen, but perhaps common sense has little to do with it. Much like the lack of it in the US Congress. However, that's what I'm ending up with right now. Is that just the way it is, or are there settings that I can make when importing or exporting that will allow me to fill up my Windows media screen a bit more with the final movie?
I'm using CS5, intel core 2 quad CPU Q6600 2.40GHz 64bit system with 3gb of RAM.

> fill up my Windows media screen
I don't do such, but I think there is an option in media player to expand to full screen instead of the actual resolution... which, of course, means the video will not look as good since it will be somewhat blurry

Is all 720 x 480 video 4:3?

Is 720 x 480 video always 4:3? What about video shot with a camera that has a widescreen adapter that is shot at 720 x 480? Is it still considered 4:3?
Thanks.

Hello stanwelks,
the short answer is: No. NTSC SD video is always 720 x 480 ... the difference between 4:3 and 16:9 video is the pixel aspect ratio: (almost) square vs. rectangular.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixelaspectratio
I don't have any practical experience with widescreen adapters, but my guess is that what you will get is letterboxed 4:3 footage, even though with better quality than when simply using the camcorders built in 16:9 conversion.
hope this helps
mish

720 x 480? adapter?

Sometimes when i boot up my mac it boots up with my screen being like at
720 x 480, why does it do this?
my screen only goes 720 x 480 when i plug in my adapater to connecto the tv?
so is my mac thinkin that my adapter is plugged in? how can i fix this?
and is there a proper way to 'eject' the adapter from a mac after use?
thanks

Hello stanwelks,
the short answer is: No. NTSC SD video is always 720 x 480 ... the difference between 4:3 and 16:9 video is the pixel aspect ratio: (almost) square vs. rectangular.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixelaspectratio
I don't have any practical experience with widescreen adapters, but my guess is that what you will get is letterboxed 4:3 footage, even though with better quality than when simply using the camcorders built in 16:9 conversion.
hope this helps
mish

Importing dvx-200 P2 into 720 x 480

I have video shot on a dvx 200 and I want to import that into my 720 x 480 sequence for TV. When I import the P2 footage into my file, FCP automatically resizes it to fit into 720 wide to accommodate all of the file (1280 x 720).
My question is this: When I enlarge this footage to approximately 120%-133%, will this give me bad image quality and pixelazation? OR does FCP know that this footage is 1280 x 720 and the resize is negligible?
I followed all the tutorials at proapptips for importing and handling P2 footage, but it didn't answer my question.
Thanks in advance!

But you are not enlarging it 120%. You are simply shrinking it less. Have you looked at the motion tab of the clip (double click on it in the timeline to put it in the viewer)?
Patrick

What's the best quality export for a 720 X 480 size, 24fps mp4 file?

Whats the best quality export for a 720 X 480 size, 24fps mp4 file?
This movie trailer will be sent to a distributer overseas.
The export I been resorting to lately is MPEG 2 DV High Quality as oppose to anything HDTV because it just shrinks the picture, obviously lol
Do I have anymore options besides Mpeg 2: NTSC DV High Quality?

Lagarith is a codec that you install separately. A very brief Search would have given you that info.
You can access the Lagarith option (once installed) using the Microsoft AVI format, and selecting Lagarith under Video Codec in the Video tab.

Why does my 720 x 480 clip not fit in my 720 x 480 sequnce? (Black side bars)

Hopefully someone understands, I'm trying to make an edit with some Mini DV Standard Definition footage in Premiere Pro CS5 and Im using a Mac with Lion 10.7.4. All of the clips are .mov and 720 x 480 and I have the sequence set to DV - NTSC 720x 480. I'm noticing that the clips just about fit the frame size except for these thin black bars on the sides. It became more noticeable when I tried using a video transition as seen in the photo below. The bars do not show when watching the clip in quicktime only when in a premiere or in an exported video. This also happens in After Effects as well. Any help on getting rid of these black bars woud be appreciated. Or are they supposed to be there?
(Using the center split video transition)

what additional parameters do I need to give you that would diagnose this problem? Or are you just being a snobby forum dude that has to give the person in need of help a hard time. If you can't help me with the information I've given you probably dont know the answer to my question. How about I rephrase my question. Have you ever seen a problem like this occur, and if so what setting or "parameter" was incorrect that caused this?
I do not mean to seem snobby, but what I am missing is the PAR of the Source Footage. If it's been posted above, then I apologize, as I just did not see it (even on re-reading the thread).
As for my knowing the answer, you could be correct. However, it sounds like there is a mis-match between the PAR in your Sequence, and that of your Source Footage. The "small black lines" sound like the difference between a Sequence PAR of 1.212 (Widescreen non-square pixels) and PAR of 1.0 (square pixels). But, then I could be wrong on that, and it's the reason that I wanted to be able to compare the PAR of the Sequence, and the PAR of the Source Footage. If we rule that out, then we need to look elsewhere for a solution.
Good luck, and sorry if I seemed the least bit snobby, or rude. I am just trying to help you get 100% full screen.
Hunt

NTSC 720 X 480 4:3??? This format isn't' actually 4:3...

I've come across some confusion in terms of exporting the proper 4:3 format for viewing on TV. Why does it label the format 'NTSC' when really it is not 4:3 and in fact stretches your video to fit that ratio?
It ends up bringing the video down to 640 X 480 but not without distorting it first.
Any answers? Ideas?

If you are creating video for standard definition broadcast (or DVD distribution) you must maintain a 720 x 480 rectangular pixel image. That specification hasn't and will never change (for reverse compatibility purposes).
If you are creating for high definition you need to research which format is required, there are high def specs that use rectangular pixels for distribution and convert to square for display.

IDVD 08 insist to transform NTSC 720 x 480 files in 640 x 480!!!

iDVD 08 insist to burn NTSC 720 x 480 files in 640 x 480
And of course smaller with a black box…
I've tried everything in vain.
It's the same If I select widescreen or 4/3 menus…
My files are mp4 H.264 files.
I'm quite desperate since I don't get WHY iDVD wants that DVDs look like 50 years old TV shows !
I looked at the forum and couldn't find any info relative to this problem.
I wonder if it's the fact that these files are Progressive. But I thought iDVD took care of it…
This is a full description of a file I use:
* MediaInfo Mac // Plain text file report
General / Container Stream # 1
Total Video Streams for this File -> 1
Total Audio Streams for this File -> 1
Video Codecs Used -> AVC
Audio Codecs Used -> AAC LC
File Format -> MPEG-4
Play Time -> 16mn 50s
Total File Size -> 1.76 GiB
Total Stream BitRate -> 14.9 Mbps
Video Stream # 1
Codec (Human Name) -> AVC
Codec (FourCC) -> avc1
Codec Profile -> [email protected]
Frame Width -> 720 pixels
Frame Height -> 480 pixels
Frame Rate -> 29.970 fps
Total Frames -> 30283
Display Aspect Ratio -> 1.500
Video Standard -> NTSC
Scan Type -> Progressive
Colorimetry -> 4:2:0
Codec Settings (Summary) -> 2 Ref Frames
QF (like Gordian Knot) -> 1.418
Codec Settings (CABAC) -> No
Video Stream Length -> 16mn 50s 443ms
Video Stream BitRate -> 14.7 Mbps
Video Stream BitRate Mode -> VBR
Bit Depth -> 24 bits
Video Stream Size -> 1.73 GiB (98%)
Video Stream Language -> English
Date of Original Encoding -> UTC 2008-12-14 20:24:26
Audio Stream # 1
Codec -> AAC
Codec (FourCC) -> 40
Audio Stream Length -> 16mn 50s 112ms
Audio Stream BitRate -> 256 Kbps
Audio Stream BitRate Mode -> CBR
Number of Audio Channels -> 2
Audio Channel's Positions -> L R
Sampling Rate -> 48.0 KHz
Bit Depth -> 16 bits
Audio Stream Size -> 30.8 MiB (2%)
Audio Stream Language -> English
Date of Original Encoding -> UTC 2008-12-14 20:24:26
Thanks in advance for any help!
m

A TV uses rectangular pixels: 720x480.
A computer uses square pixels. So, those same pixels (720x480) are actually 640x480 and a computer. So this is normal.
The quality of your DVDs would be a separate and subjective issue. However, I can suggest that you NOT use H.264 (very compressed format) as the format for iDVD (which does it's own compression) to work with. I would give iDVD a DV or AIC file.
Mike

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.

720 x 480 vs. 640 x 480, which one to use?

This is not a iMovie specific question, but it is related. I always thought that SD was 640 x 480 and I always format any stills I use for that format. Everything has been fine. 640 x 480 = 4:3. Recently somebody said that you should format for 720 x 480, even for SD. I'm a little confused, SD is 4:3 while 720 x 480 is 3:2. If you use this format will the edges get cut off on a SD TV, or will the image get squished?
Thanks
Chris

where the 720 x 480 came from
For historical resons there is some "extra room" around the video frame. This is the root of all kinds of errors when people calculate aspect ratios:
Standard definition NTSC DV's sampling matrix is 720x480 (that includes the "extra room" around the image although often there is content in all pixels). DV uses rectangular pixels -- the pixel aspect ratio is 4320:4739 = ~0.912. So the pixels aren't square and you have to scale the image to see the correct proportions. iMovie and a TV set do this automatically but sometimes the poor user might see an unscaled image and think something is seriously wrong...
Notice that inside (and outside!) of that 720x480 sampling matrix the actual active picture size is 710.85 x 486. Weird but true.
Now, to see the correct proportions you have to scale rectangular pixels to square pixels. You usually do that by multiplying the horizontal pixel count by the pixel aspect ratio:
So the square pixel horizontal sampling matrix becomes 720 x (4320:4739) = ~656. So you should scale 720x480 to 656x480 to see the correct proportions on a computer monitor.
The same calculation applies also to the actual active picture size: 710.85 x (4320:4739) = 648. So the square pixel actual active picture size is 648x486 which is EXACTLY 4:3!! THAT is the 4:3 ratio we talk about -- not the 640x480 which is just a cropped value of the former weird size.
The same principles apply also to 16:9 ratios.
http://www.iki.fi/znark/video/conversion/

720 x 480

When exporting in final cut express. 720 x 480 is actually 640 x 480, it even says in parenthesis. I export in dv/dvcpro ntsc . I have tried exporting in NTSC 720 x 480 4:3 in the size settings, and I have tried custom sizing the file to 720 x 480. I have also tried preserving the aspect ratio by cropping the image. When exported all of the files were the same number of pixels, and under movie properties the exported files say that they are 640 x 480. I capture the footage in dv-ntsc. In final cut pro I followed the same steps, with the same footage, and 720 x 480, is actually 720 x 480, when comparing the files and opening them in quicktime, the size difference is dramatic. How can I get an actual 720 x 480 export in final cut express? Also, Is there a way to change/access the easy set up preferences individually in final cut express?

"I followed the same steps, with the same footage, and 720 x 480, is actually 720 x 480, when comparing the files and opening them in quicktime, the size difference is dramatic. How can I get an actual 720 x 480 export in final cut express?"
I work in NTSC DV. I import it that way from the camera, and export that way (Export as Quicktime Movie) for DVD creation. I work in both FC Pro and Express. Sometimes I have move the same project between both apps. No difference; DV NTSC is 720X480. Looks the same in both apps, works the same.
Maybe it is because you are not exporting as Qucktime Movie but are are using some flavor of Quicktime Conversion. Or maybe its because you aren't import actual DV video.
"Also, Is there a way to change/access the easy set up preferences individually in final cut express? "
Not sure what you mean by this, but you can select DV NTSC from the Easy Setup menu; that is the setup you should be using with your setup.

Combine 720 x 480 & 1280 x 720 on Blu Ray - best settings?

What is the best way to combine mutliple formats on a Blu Ray disk. I need to dsplay SD & HD video (720 x 480 & 1280 x 720) clips on the same disk. I have both formats on separate sequences in Premiere Pro and Encore. The sequences are set up corresponding to there respective specs. When I burn a disk evrything goes fine but the playback of the SD is inferior to a standard DVD. If I just burn the SD sequence to a Blu Ray disk, without the HD sequence then the playback quality is better.
I realize that displaying SD in HD shows all the flaws but this is definitly not good quality, lots of artifacts in flat tonal areas with motion.
Anyone have any good ideas for tweaking the transcode settings for the SD sequence , etc?
CS4
Windows 7 64 bt

One way you can be certain that encodings of the SD material are up to snuff
Blue_Devil1 wrote:
Why don't you scale down the 1280x720 to SD. Hopefully, your SD footage is widescreen and you could make the 1280 widescreen as well (exporting from Ame) and burn a widescreen DVD in ENcore.
Then play the disc in an up converting DVD player.
John Rich
Sorry John, but downscaling HD to SD to play in an upscaled SD player makes little if any sense to me.
@the OP - are your problems from a burned disc, and if so what is your player and firmware revision?
BD should be able to handle mixed resolutions with no trouble at all, but you need to be careful.
Not all players can handle the switch between HD & Sd very well - we had this issue on a commercial title recently where the extras were all 720 x 480 SD against the main title of 1920 x 1080/24 - certain players connected via HDMI had definite issues switching between resolutions.
One way you can be sure your SD footage is up to par would be to encode all these assets to MPEG-2 before importing them into Encore project.
This way you can proof them all before importing - set the files to "Do not transcode" in Encore, and from then on all issues with quality are down to the player.

[Missing] Firewire NTSC (720 x 480) option

This happened in 2 edit suites. I fixed it in edit 1 by resetting PRAM and trashing prefs. Edit 2 won't see it.
I can capture via Firewire from this deck (Sony M35U), so I obviously have a connection. System Profiler shows the deck and all its info, so it's obviously recognized by the computer. If I capture via the AJA, I can still set deck control over Firewire, so it's obviously THERE.
Yet, when I go to View/Video Output, it's not even an option. I don't even get the [Missing] Firewire NTSC 720 x 480 option. It's just not there. I have all the AJA options, but not the FIrewire ones. Anyone seen this disappear like that?
Tried:
Resetting PRAM several times
Trashing prefs (all of 'em)
Disconnecting all cables and reconnecting
Checked all of the settings on the deck several times
Changed Firewire cable twice
WOndering if this is an AJA conflict, but it works now in the other edit suite, which is a clone of this one. Weird and frustrating.
Haven't tried setting up a new user yet, gonna try that now. If you have a clue, please clue me in…

All the settings were exactly the same. I changed nothing. It was a weird experience, but on a whim I decided to simply swap the decks in the rooms, wondering if there was some corrupt communication from the decks via the Firewire. Seems that was the case, because once I switched rooms, everything worked. Glad it worked out, because I was about to send the decks in for repair, having tested the ports, the Firewire cables, and FCP, and all came out working fine. Can't explain it, but it works.
Thanks.

Capture SD uncompressed 720 x 480 with Kona LH?

Previous projects I used my G5 with Final Cut 5 and an AJA IO, to capture Uncompressed SD at 720 x 480. Now with my MacPro, Kona LH, Final Cut 6 it will only allow me to capture 720 x 486 Uncompressed SD. Anyone else experience this? I know I'm probably the only one still using SD, but I'd like to get my new footage to mix with previously captured video for DVD. Source footage is Beta SP, component input.

Ok, let me repeat myself. I want to edit in Uncompressed SD 720 x 480. So i want to capture a format that matches that, so that FCP wont have to render or stretch or scale. I'm having a hard time getting the Kona to do what the LO does. I am not using a different codec. Everything matches except frame size.
Anyway, i haven't really gotten any farther than when I've started. I know I can use compressor, or squeeze or numerous hardware or software encoders to change my video to match my sequence, but that defeats the purpose. I might as well just let FCP convert it. I have quite a few hours of footage and want to eliminate any extra steps.

Resizing HD Video On A 720 x 480 4:3 Sequence

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