Widescreen Format at DVinfo.net

Scot Hayne · June 17th, 2004, 10:28 PM

I have just borrowed a Canon GL2 and have discovered the various ways to achieve a widescreen appearance with my video. I want to still be able to shoot with the frame movie mode to achieve 30 fps. What is the easiest/most successful way of achieving widescreen video appearance with the Canon GL2 (I also have Adobe Premiere/After Effects to use). I'm kind of at a dead end because of the various options. Any suggestions or methods are welcome.

Ken Tanaka · June 17th, 2004, 10:39 PM

"Easiest"? That's hard to say, as it depends on your workflow and target venue. Each method represents some compromises, as you'll see if you "Search" on this topic in this section.

Manually letterboxing 4:3 footage may be the "easiest" method, as it affords you framing flexibility (in post) as well as flexibility in your final aspect ratio.

The GL2's native 16:9 mode does a respectable job of producing true wide-screen imaging, but offers no aspect ratio choices.

Using an anamorphic adapter on your lens offers arguably the best optical image.

Of course both of the latter two methods will require that you tune your eye to viewing a squashed image during shooting unless you use a production monitor capable of displaying 16:9.

Scot Hayne · June 17th, 2004, 10:45 PM

I was thinking about shooting in 4:3 aspect in 'frame movie mode' with the 16:9 guidelines. I would later use Premiere or After Effects to change video to 16:9. Has anyone used this method, or does anyone have any input on this method?

Robin Davies-Rollinson · June 18th, 2004, 12:19 AM

You might like to a demo version of DVFilmaker. You can shoot in the normal mode and let the software crop to 16:9 as well as do the de-interlacing for you.
www.dvfilm.com

Robin.

Tustin Larson · June 18th, 2004, 08:13 AM

OR you could use the title mix function to add the letterbox bars to the video from the beginning.

Just another opinion, If you are interested in doing this, let me know.

Thanx,

Scot Hayne · June 22nd, 2004, 02:58 PM

I'm really trying to decide between anamorphic 16:9 or using the 16:9 guidlines, which will allow for 16:9 or 4:3. I'm not a newbie to video, I'm just confused on this subject. Any help is welcome. Thanks.

Where is a good place to buy an anamorphic adapter for the GL2 and how much do they normally run?

Robin Davies-Rollinson · June 22nd, 2004, 03:42 PM

Tustin,
I've been using your letterbox templates this week on my XM2 and I'm very pleased with the results. It sure beats having to wait to render out cropped material in post.
The one thing that I can't adjust is the black level of the top and bottom bars. They don't seem "0" black level to me. On a screen, they're not as black as the blacks in the scene. Is there a way that I can fix this myself?

Regards,

Robin.

June 17th, 2004, 10:28 PM	#1
Scot Hayne New Boot Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Biloxi, USA Posts: 6	Widescreen Format I have just borrowed a Canon GL2 and have discovered the various ways to achieve a widescreen appearance with my video. I want to still be able to shoot with the frame movie mode to achieve 30 fps. What is the easiest/most successful way of achieving widescreen video appearance with the Canon GL2 (I also have Adobe Premiere/After Effects to use). I'm kind of at a dead end because of the various options. Any suggestions or methods are welcome. __________________ To a pessimist, the glass is half empty. To an optimist, the glass is half full. To an engineer, the glass is too big.

June 17th, 2004, 10:39 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	"Easiest"? That's hard to say, as it depends on your workflow and target venue. Each method represents some compromises, as you'll see if you "Search" on this topic in this section. Manually letterboxing 4:3 footage may be the "easiest" method, as it affords you framing flexibility (in post) as well as flexibility in your final aspect ratio. The GL2's native 16:9 mode does a respectable job of producing true wide-screen imaging, but offers no aspect ratio choices. Using an anamorphic adapter on your lens offers arguably the best optical image. Of course both of the latter two methods will require that you tune your eye to viewing a squashed image during shooting unless you use a production monitor capable of displaying 16:9. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

June 17th, 2004, 10:45 PM	#3
Scot Hayne New Boot Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Biloxi, USA Posts: 6	??? I was thinking about shooting in 4:3 aspect in 'frame movie mode' with the 16:9 guidelines. I would later use Premiere or After Effects to change video to 16:9. Has anyone used this method, or does anyone have any input on this method? __________________ To a pessimist, the glass is half empty. To an optimist, the glass is half full. To an engineer, the glass is too big.

June 22nd, 2004, 02:58 PM	#6
Scot Hayne New Boot Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Biloxi, USA Posts: 6	I'm really trying to decide between anamorphic 16:9 or using the 16:9 guidlines, which will allow for 16:9 or 4:3. I'm not a newbie to video, I'm just confused on this subject. Any help is welcome. Thanks. Where is a good place to buy an anamorphic adapter for the GL2 and how much do they normally run? __________________ To a pessimist, the glass is half empty. To an optimist, the glass is half full. To an engineer, the glass is too big.

June 18th, 2004, 12:19 AM	#4
Robin Davies-Rollinson Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gwaelod-y-garth, Cardiff, CYMRU/WALES Posts: 1,215	You might like to a demo version of DVFilmaker. You can shoot in the normal mode and let the software crop to 16:9 as well as do the de-interlacing for you. www.dvfilm.com Robin.

June 18th, 2004, 08:13 AM	#5
Tustin Larson Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Palm Springs, CA Posts: 86	OR you could use the title mix function to add the letterbox bars to the video from the beginning. Just another opinion, If you are interested in doing this, let me know. Thanx,

June 22nd, 2004, 03:42 PM	#7
Robin Davies-Rollinson Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gwaelod-y-garth, Cardiff, CYMRU/WALES Posts: 1,215	Tustin, I've been using your letterbox templates this week on my XM2 and I'm very pleased with the results. It sure beats having to wait to render out cropped material in post. The one thing that I can't adjust is the black level of the top and bottom bars. They don't seem "0" black level to me. On a screen, they're not as black as the blacks in the scene. Is there a way that I can fix this myself? Regards, Robin.