Verifing WideScreen NTSC DV Setup before starting project.

wcoxe1 wrote on 2/12/2003, 3:29 PM
Just wanted to be sure. Lots of threads, but some of it is confusing. Before I start a new "first time" widescreen project in Vegas 4, wanted to verify the settings. The original tape was shot with a Sony TRV-20, standard 720 x 480 (4:3) Mini-DV Camcorder. I want a TAPE rendered to play properly (black bars on the sides) on a 16:9 Widescreen TV FROM a Mini-DV camcorder.

As far as I can see right off hand, the only three things I must do differently are, go to:

File/Properties/Video

Template set to:
.....NTSC DV Widescreen; and,
Pixel Aspect Ratio set to:
.....1.2323 (NTSC DV Widescreen); then,
Right Click on Preview Screen; and,
.....Simulate Aspect Ratio.

Are these correct?
Are these ALL?

Any comments? Please!

OT:

By the way, WHY don't they use 18% grey bars, instead of black to even out screen wear and to help prevent burn in when playing things converted from 4:3 to 16:9? Several sets I have seen warn about not playing black bar stuff for long periods because it damages the screen. Leaves a slightly different, permanent discolored stripe (different intensity) on each side, eventually, I understand. Odd.

Comments

pgfitzgerald wrote on 2/12/2003, 4:08 PM
4:3 NTSC DV Footage will show up with black bars on the left and right when viewed on a 16:9 Television if you use the NTSC DV Project Template.

4:3 NTSC DV Footage will show up full screen when viewed on 16:9 Television if you crop to 720x360 and use the NTSC DV Widescreen Project Template.

Paul
wcoxe1 wrote on 2/12/2003, 4:10 PM
In other words, there is nothing to do but get the 4:3 tape to show on the 16:9 and it will automatically display properly?
pgfitzgerald wrote on 2/12/2003, 4:12 PM
Well, your definition of "properly" differs from mine.

What do you want your footage to look like when viewed on a standard 4:3 Television?

Paul
wcoxe1 wrote on 2/12/2003, 7:40 PM
I am willing to make two renders. One, 4:3. Then, I want to modify the otherwise finished project so that it plays without distortion on a 16:9. Black bars are expected. Just don't know if I am supposed to add them or the the 16:9 TV will automatically insert them.

Paul_Holmes wrote on 2/12/2003, 7:51 PM
It sounds like you're saying you did NOT shoot in widescreen (16X9) format. You shot in 4X3 format. If you mean play on TV from a DVD player then use the regular NTSC DV format, NOT the widescreen format and render your mpeg as 4X3. Your DVD player should be set up for display on a 16X9 TV and your DVD player should recognize whether the file it's playing is anamorphic (16X9) or 4X3 and display it accordingly. You may have to set your widescreen TV to the proper setting.

Maybe I'm not understanding what you really intend to do. Did you want to change your 4X3 footage to 16X9?

wcoxe1 wrote on 2/12/2003, 8:10 PM
I want a TAPE version that will play on a 16:9 TV. Straight out of the DV camcorder. What technique, if any, do I use. Second render, or is the TV smart enough to figure out that it has 4:3 footage and not mess it up?
Paul_Holmes wrote on 2/12/2003, 8:32 PM
If you have access to a widescreen TV play the 4X3 footage from your camera through the audio/video inputs and then see if the TV can be configured to display black bars at the sides. I believe all Widescreens will do this. If true (I have a widescreen downstairs but have not tried playing through the camera for months) you may not have to do anything special -- just use the regular DV (4X3) template for your project and set your TV accordingly.