I am totally confused on how how to achieve the best widescreen image using the xl1s.

Should I shoot using the camera's 16:9 mode or use the 4:3 mode with guides then crop it in Premiere?

Should I shoot it using the 16:9 mode and then still crop it in Premeire?

Using Premiere, how should I capture the video? What settings are best to produce a great wide screen image? What settings should I use to export the video to DVD or for broadcast television?

Basically, I want a broadcast quality video that when played on a 4:3 television has the widescreen format with the black top & bottom border.

Any help will be super.

thanks.

Your going to have to do a little experimentation and see what looks best to you. I don't do much 16:9 even though much of my work is for broadcast. No one wants to pay the extra for 16:9 production or they don't feel a need for it yet. I have done several DVD's with 16:9. The DVD authoring software sets a flag that the player detects and makes the image either 16:9 or 4:3. If your editing with Premiere on a PC I suggest you ask your Premiere questions on that forum. As far as what export format it will depend again on your authoring software. You'll need either MPEG 1 or 2.

Jeff

If you go with DVD 16:9 might be interesting (when you shoot
16:9 make sure you choose a 16:9 project for Premiere too).

I personally shoot 4:3 and letterbox it because I want the
possibility to re-frame the image vertically (since I have the full
vertical height of 4:3 and i'm putting black bars on top of it
to get 16:9 i can move the footage up and down "under" the
black bars, which is ideal for me. Plus it is easier to work with
than 16:9 in the end.....

I did a video (wedding) where the fuzzy windscreen was showing on my footage at the top of the screen and I didn't notice it until latter. (I was using the wide angle!). I just cropped it and made the footage in letter box! It looked great! Might as well get the best of both by taping in 4:3 and then add the cropping latter!
You may have to tape a bit more wide though! (maybe some black tape guide lines on your eyepiece!)