Why are my FCP still pic exports scrunched into 4x3 format? at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > Apple / Mac Post Production Solutions > Final Cut Suite

Final Cut Suite
Discussing the editing of all formats with FCS, FCP, FCE

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old November 20th, 2006, 11:24 PM   #1
Major Player
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Overland Park, KS
Posts: 228
Why are my FCP still pic exports scrunched into 4x3 format?

Hi all. . .

I'm trying to download some JPGs out of my music video footage.

I followed the FCP directions to the letter, but when I view the exported stills, they are NOT in a 16x9 format. They appear to have been scrunched into a 4x3 format.

Is there a way to get real 16x9 JPGs out of FCP?

Thanks much.

Stephen Pruitt
Stephen Pruitt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 21st, 2006, 07:22 AM   #2
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Oxfordshire, UK
Posts: 416
Stephen, it's all working correctly: I assume you're getting 720x480 pixels exporting stills from DV-NTSC, but the picture content looks tall and thin?

This is correct, but the pixels are not intended to be square. To view them "normally" you'll need to stretch the picture wider in an image manipulation application of your choice (remembering NOT to preserve aspect ratio) to 864x480 pixels.
__________________
Martin at HeadSpin HD on Blu-ray
Martin Mayer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 21st, 2006, 03:13 PM   #3
Wrangler
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Mays Landing, NJ
Posts: 11,794
My math says:

480 x 16 / 9 = 853.33

So I always use 854 x 480 to scale 16:9 video for square pixels. I believe the 864 width assumes a 486 line image, which would not be the standard for DV (486 x 16 / 9 = 864).

But what are a few pixels between friends? :-)
Boyd Ostroff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 21st, 2006, 03:40 PM   #4
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Oxfordshire, UK
Posts: 416
So does my mathematics, Boyd, but I was quoting pixel dimensions from the DVD Studio Pro manual.

A bit off topic, but:

I believe if you use those EXACT sizes, then DVDSP won't try and resize the still images you might use for widescreen NTSC menus, as it assumes you know what you're doing.
__________________
Martin at HeadSpin HD on Blu-ray
Martin Mayer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 21st, 2006, 04:03 PM   #5
Wrangler
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DFW area, TX
Posts: 6,117
Images: 1
When I do a widescreen DVD, I set the Live Type and Motion elements to 853X480. I'm close to Boyd's numbers except I round to the nearest hole number. ;-)

-gb-
Greg Boston is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 23rd, 2006, 10:22 AM   #6
Major Player
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Overland Park, KS
Posts: 228
Actually, gentlemen, I'm shooting in HD. . . whatever by 720. . .

I don't know if that makes a difference or not (I assume the ratio would be the same). Unfortunately, I don't have a still editing program that will allow me to stretch the image. (The only one I have is iPhoto, and that does not appear to allow me to do image stretches. Bummer.)

I can't believe that this simple task could be so hard!

It makes no sense to me that it should be different when viewed on FCP as to when I grab a still and look at it, but that's the case.

Very strange.

Stephen
Stephen Pruitt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 23rd, 2006, 10:51 AM   #7
Wrangler
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Mays Landing, NJ
Posts: 11,794
What kind of camera are you shooting with? I believe the HDV standards are 720x1280 (which should look OK with square pixels) and 1080x1440 (which will appear squashed). So I'm guessing that you're exporting a 1440x1080 anamorphic still. You could resize that to either 1920x1080 or 1440 x 809 and have the correct proportions.

You really should get some sort of image editing program, it's hard to get along without one. Photoshop Elements is inexpensive and will do this sort of thing plus much more. In fact, I still haven't found a reason to upgrade to the full version of photoshop myself.

http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopelmac/

I'm sure there are also some decent shareware/freeware image editors out there as well. But you certainly need something more than just iPhoto.
Boyd Ostroff is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > Apple / Mac Post Production Solutions > Final Cut Suite

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:14 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network