applying a 16:9 mask on entire timeline
 

Hi everybody,

I've got an entire timeline (avid xpress pro) of 4:3 footage which I want to mask to match 16:9. How can I apply the effect to the entire timeline at once? Are there any other settings I should find to do this right (pixel aspect ratio, resolution)?

greetz,

Merlin

Merlin,

You can use Film>16:9 Mask. To apply to the entire timeline you Lasso the time line. Place the mouse on the timeline at the front end at the video track. Hold down the mouse button and drag the lasso to the right this should highlight. Or you can shift click.

Don't use 16:9 from reformat. It will squish you footage top and bottom.

Cheers.

I do the same thing but a little different. I create a new video track and apply a submaster effect to the entire track. Then I add the 16:9 mask (or 1.85:1 mask, 1.66:1 mask, Anamorphic mask, whatever you choose) to the submaster. Both ways get you where you want to be put I prefer this method as I think it's a bit quicker, and you're only applying one effect that covers the entire sequence rather than a bunhc of effects.

Then I like to go through the entire timeline and position any clips which may not be framed as I like them. That's my main reason for letterboxing clips even if the output is SD. It's nice to be able to move the clips up or down and fix any bad framing issues that may have been made while shooting.