16x9 guidelines

[Dan O'Bannon]

What are the 16x9 guidelines used for on the XL1s , and if I shoot in 16x9 mode is it a true 16x9 or is it just streching the 4x3 immage? Thanks for your help,

Dan

[Chris Hurd]

The 16x9 guides on the XL1S allow you to shoot in normal 4x3 mode and compose for 16x9. Anything above or below the guides would be replaced by a letterbox matte which you would add in post production. This is Canon's suggested method for doing 16x9.

The 16x9 mode on the XL1S is one of the best available on a native 4x3 prosumer camcorder (there is no such thing as "true" 16x9 down at this level). For more info, see my XL1/XL1S F.A.Q. at http://www.dvinfo.net/canon/xl1faq.php, under Q: Does the XL1 offer a "true" 16x9 widescreen image?

Hope this helps,

[Dan O'Bannon]

Thank You Chris.

Now if I shoot in regular mode with 16x9 guides and add letterbox matt in post, the picture when shown on a regular TV monitor will have the matt top and bottom right? And I'll keep full resolution but what will it look like on a wide screen TV, will it warp the image? Also what will it do when transfered to film?

Thanks Dan

[Chris Hurd]

Hi Dan,

<< f I shoot in regular mode with 16x9 guides and add letterbox matt in post, the picture when shown on a regular TV monitor will have the matt top and bottom right? >>

Yes, that's right.

<< what will it look like on a wide screen TV, will it warp the image? >>

Depends on the widescreen TV... some are smart enough to detect 4x3 letterbox; some aren't. If it detects the letterbox, it'll blow up the image to move the letterbox out of the viewable area. Of course, depending on the video, this may not look that great, kind of like a digital zoom.

If it doesn't detect the letterbox, then you'll have black side mattes in addition to the letterbox, or a black border all the way around the image. Most widescreen TV's I've seen allow you to select whichever option you prefer, either the digital zoom-in, or the full border all the way around, or other choices.

Neither one sounds good? I didn't think so. That's why you'll have to determine what the predominance of your audience is using to view your video, and shoot for that. Is it going to be seen on a widescreen TV? Then shoot in 16x9 and don't do anything to it... on a 4x3 monitor, it'll look like a spaghetti western, but on a 16x9 monitor it'll look fine.

These are the decisions you have to make before rolling tape.

<< Also what will it do when transfered to film? >>

Depends on the process used by the film transfer house... there are several different methods. If you're seriously thinking about transferring to film, consult with the tape-to-film transfer facility of your choice and follow their shooting advice to the letter.

For more info, see the DV To 35mm Technology Guide at http://www.dvinfo.net/canon/articles/article55.php

[Scott Silverman]

Thanks Chris! I was actually wondering about some of those questions myself. I never knew some widescreen TVs could detect letter boxes. Pretty nifty!