16:9 PAL Question

alexg wrote on 12/15/2003, 3:17 AM

I'm doing computer renders that will be destined for anamorphic 16:9 PAL DVD. Each frame will be 1024x576 and then squished to 720x576. Can anyone confirm the following in Vegas:

1. Set project properties to PAL DV Widescreen
2. Set preview window to simulate output device
3. Uncheck "maintain aspect ratio" in event pan/crop
4. Don't care for "stretch to fill frame" in event pan/crop
5. Render as MainConcept MPEG using DVD Architect PAL Widescreen
6. Check "do not letterbox" option

What's confusing me is the multiple places where you can fiddle around with aspect ratio settings.

Regards,

Comments

PAW wrote on 12/15/2003, 5:19 AM

Hello Alex,

The actual size you would want for PAL 16:9 is 1049 x 576, you can see this in the preview window if you set it to best(full) the preview window dimensions are shown at the bottom.

Steps 3/4 would depend on what you are trying to do. If the source media are stills created at the above size you should be able to just drop them on the timeline and they would display correctly.

Step 5 is fine, Step 6 should not be needed if the source media is the correct aspect ratio for the project.

What source media are you using for the project?

alexg wrote on 12/15/2003, 1:16 PM

Hi Paul,

I was referring to the Ralph LaBarge DVD book on page 96 where he says 1024 x 756 is the square pixel size to be then converted to 720 x 576 which will then be stretched to wide screen assuming the 16:9 bit is set after authoring. Why 1049 that you recommended?

The source material will be fractal zoom movies where the graphic content is not critical. I suppose I can really just author at 720 x 576 and have it stretch into the project setting of widescreen.

If I have any text based static backgrounds I'll author those in Photoshop at the larger size and then squish them down.

I'm a little clearer now with steps 3 and 4 since fiddling around with the crop window. The settings are not relevant unless I specifically crop/pan which I won't.

Overall I want the anamorphic setting since we are starting to get a lot of widescreen televisions on the market in Australia and most DVDs appear to be "enhanced for widescreen" or "16:9 anamorphic"

Regards,
Alex