16:9 box
 

At the moment most of my work is shot on MiniDv with XL1 and then transferred straight onto VHS for the client (this is mainly talks and some theatre work) - no editing involved.

The question is this;

Is there a box which goes between the camera and my VHS deck to make it so I don't get the stretched 16:9 look when it is played on a 4:3 TV, but instead get the letterbox effect on the 4:3 TV.

Hope people can help,

Ed Smith

Yes, there is such a box. But you better be sitting down, Ed.

That box is a Sony DSR-30 deck. It's the *only* DV deck that can automatically add a letterbox matte to 16:9 video over the analog output jacks.

And it's about $3,000.

Geeeeeeeeeesssssssss,

You've made me fall off my chair!!!!

I think I will be giving that one a miss.

Looks like if they want that effect it'll have to go through post production.

Woooooooooooooooow

Cheers Chris