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