Black bars down the sides
 

I've just started my second project with Vegas 9.0c usinf footage shot on my Canon XH-G1 in PAL 50i HDV mode1440x1080i

I used the same settings as my last project also shot with that camera but when I comes to render (and only when I render) the preview window shows black lines down each side - why? It didn't with my last project. I am sure the settings are the same and are:

Properties: HDV1080 50i 1440x1080 25fps
upper field first
pixel 1.3333
8bit
Best quality
Gausion blur
Interpolated fields

Render settings
MainConcept Mpeg2
Template DVD architect PAL widescreen
which states it is 720x576 YUV 6mbs 25fps
pixel aspect 1.457
the only box ticked is 'save markers'

The other odd thing is that the black lines do NOT show wehn playing the rendered file in Windows media player (I haven't burned a DVD yet) - Just curious as to why on this project the black lines appear

Hi Phillip. All you do is change your Project settings before you render to Pal 576i, your black bars will then appear in the preview window ( its the different aspect ratio that does it).
Then go to the Track Motion button (little blue button next to track FX ), open up, right click, and select, Match output aspect. It will zoom in a fraction and remove the black bars.
When going from HD to Pal you may also want to change the default Pal setting of Lower field first to Upper to match your source media. It makes no difference when playing back on a TV, but avoids losing even more quality by changing your media more than you have to.