I have been asked to deliver a finished DVD (I use Sony DVD Architect) in widescreen format. Has anyone compared the results of these two settings on the DVC30?

Also what should I expect if the result of both is shown on a normal 4:3 screen?

I don't have access to a widescreen TV, so I can't check for myself.

Wayne, if you shoot your footage in letterbox then you're recording black bars to tape and your footage is still 4:3. If you record in the anamorphic squeeze mode then your footage could look incorrect (squished) on certain 4:3 TVs. If you are 100% certain your footage is to only be viewed on widescreen TVs then I would go for the squeeze mode, otherwise stick with letterbox.

This link might be of some help. Note that it is regarding NTSC, not PAL.

Click here (http://www.maxent.org/video/16x9.html)

If you shoot in widescreen (anamorphic 16:9) and author your DVD in widescreen, the DVD player will letterbox the video on 4:3 sets and play it full screen on widescreen sets. Keep in mind that the widescreen video on the DVC30 is low rez compared to a cam like the Sony PDX10, Panasonic GS400 or Canon XL2. So, I'd take a look at it on a widescreen set before I gave it to my client even if I had to take it to a local electronics store.

<<<-- Originally posted by Guy Bruner : Keep in mind that the widescreen video on the DVC30 is low rez compared to a cam like the Sony PDX10, Panasonic GS400 or Canon XL2. -->>>

Hi Guy,

Do you know GS400 has true 16:9 ccd? I checked my gs400 and found that the screen actually get wider while I push wide screen button.

Regards
Leigh

Good point about the DVD authoring Guy.

Leigh, are you asking if the GS400 has a native 16:9 CCD? The GS400 does have a very high quality 16:9 mode with almost no vertical zooming but the CCD itself is 4:3.

Do you know GS400 has true 16:9 ccd? I checked my gs400 and found that the screen actually get wider while I push wide screen button.Hi Leigh. Like Tommy said, the CCDs on the GS400 are 4:3. However, the 16:9 mode takes a full true 16:9 image from the CCDs to create the widescreen. So, the widescreen image is full resolution and 22% wider than 4:3.

Thanks Guy and Tommy.

Your answer makes me very happy.

My gy-dv5000 only has letterbox and uneconomic to get an add on converter.

I think I should use my gs400 more instead of gy-dv5000. I just use gs400 to take some photo which is just waste my money now. I actually quite like wide screen + cinema mode in gs400.

Regards
Leigh

Thanks for all of the helpful input folks. Tommy, that link was really useful - thank you!

Actually I have come up with a neat solution for experimenting - I bought a run-out model of a portable DVD player (Voxson ZK7) for $299 Oz dollars. It is really neat - slightly larger than a DVD case and it comes with remote, plug-on battery, power pack and cigarette lighter adaptor. I can set it to either 4:3 or 16:9 and see exactly what is going on.

I think it might be useful for taking to show clients as well - that's my story and I'm sticking to it anyway! :o)

Check it out at:
http://www.voxson.com/productsServices/104_PortableDVDPlayers.asp

"If there's no Internet in Heaven, I'm not going!"

Heh. The best of both worlds are right here at DV Info Net. Couldn't resist,

You're right - plenty of guardian angels :o)