Confused about 16:9
 

In FCP I have been capturing at HDV 1080i60 - 1440x1080 (16:9) and sure enough it comes in as it should and shows up filling the entire 16:9 widescreen frame. However, anytime I try to export the footage it exports as 4:3 square. I don't understand why this is happening. Should I be capturing differently? Setting FCP's sequence differently?

When you are all recording to a MiniDV tape and then capturing in FCP, what are your settings? I just learned about possibly using AIC instead so that I could do the reverse telecine for 24p, but I'm curious as to exactly how you are all doing things.

1440X1080 really is square. FCP understands that the format you are importing needs to be displayed by stretching the horizontal pixels to form a 16:9 image.

This is known as 'anamorphic'.

Some software can take the 1440x1080 and sub sample the horizontal pixels into 1920 pixels for export (MPEG Streamclip). At that point, everything will see it as a true 16:9 aspect ratio.

-gb-

Ok, that makes sense, but isn't there a way to do this all in FCP? I have to assume that FCP6 can do a proper 16:9 format without having to do everything and then put it in StreamClip.

Set the Pixel Aspect Ratio to 1:1.33

Ok, I just looked at my sequence settings and don't see that as an option. Can you give me a step-by-step to do this in FCP6?

Moved from Canon HDV to NLE Mac -- who can give Joshua a step-by-step?

- Export using quicktime compression
- Click on Options button at bottom
- Click on the size button, then on the dimensions dropdown.
- Select 1920x1080 or any other 16:9 ratio size. 1280x720, 720x405, etc...
- Click OK

Great -- thanks a bunch Gene,

Thanks Gene. Easy to do. However, I'm wondering, since I am using a Canon HV20 to capture to MiniDV, how should I be capturing into FCP6 (i.e. what should my sequence be set to). Right now I am capturing in HDV at 1080i60. Any thoughts on the best workflow so I get the highest quality possible and the smoothest editing?

Thanks a bunch!