Thanks for responding.

Attributes = 720 X 480 X 24 the clip is old VHS if that makes a difference?

It seems to always go back to this value upon playback.

Thanks abain

Hi Ohm,

The source aspect sounds correct...

Could you please report all the values indicated below the preview window, or the project properties?

If you are intending to finish on DV, you might select NTSC (or PAL if applicable) DV in the project properties.



HTH, MPH

Tips:
http://www.martyhedler.com/homepage/Vegas_Tutorials.html

Media pool: 720 X 480 X 24
Original Template: same (NTSC)
Output of Print to Tape: same.

While experimenting, I unchecked the "maintain aspect ratio" box, and then changed the template properties (main menu) Width and Height to 780 X 245 X 32 (I don't know where the "32" comes from). Now, the frame in the preview portion of the edit window is near perfect, having a black frame around it.

Even so, after rendering, the "print to tape" preview, and output to both VCD and VHS tape reverts back to 720 X 480 -- tall and skinny, chopping heads and feet. I'm missing a link to the chain of settings somewhere.

If I am on the right track by manually setting the template Width and Height, would you happen to have an equation for finding the correct values I need? The hunt and peck method is getting me close, but the values entered do not always yield the anticipated result in the picture.

Thanks, marty, for the link.

If the 8500 aiw is similar to earlier radeons, one problem you'll find right off is that you cannot capture analog at 720 x 480 outside of the ati multimedia center. You'll generally get 640 x 480 pictures in a 720 x 480 box if you use a video for windows based app. The direct show stuff acts pretty wierd when you try to use it for capture at 720 width.

That said, all you generally have to do is import your video to the timeline - find it in the explorer window on the lower left and double click it or drag it. Right click on the clip on the timeline to select properties, then go to the second tab to verify the field order - probably upper first if you used the aiw to capture.

Then click on the 4th toolbar icon from the left, or select properties from the file menu -> click what looks like an open file icon, and select the clip you just inserted to the timeline. This sets the aspect ratios and all, but you might have to set the field order, & will have to adjust the quality (default is good, which may be OK). Go to the audio tab and select the format for the audio portion. [tip: many PC sound cards like the Live! series work in 48 - switching to or capturing in anything less (44, 22 etc) prior to final render will cost you]. Then set your ruler to probably 29.97 drop.

Setting the properties that way should have your project conforming to your original video files, which is normally what you want for simple editing. You can set whatever attributes (progressive, resize, and so on) in the final render settings.

If you have a 640 x 480 file, setting the project to DV will probably effect the pixel ratio if nothing else, and during editing Vegas will automatically resize everything to the large 720 width. Deselecting preserve aspect ratios will stretch the video, keeping it on will cause cropping. If you've got a 640 picture in a 720 frame, could get black bars on the sides confusing issues further. And, if nothing else, if it does look somewhat proper, Vegas still has to do the resizing continuously as you edit. Editing in or to the native clip specs, then resizing on render might make things work more efficiently, and so be a bit faster.

FWIW, if you use the ati aiw for output to tape, ie: your vcr, please be aware that your output will not likely be overscanned - this can cause black bars on the sides of your video on some TVs. Also, as the aiw type card tends to just clone the PC monitor, if you use 720 x 480, you will have a letterboxed video at full screen, and perhaps on your TV monitor as well. If you were going to use the aiw TV out, might want to check into that end of things.

mike