Can I record HD and output letterbox SD? at DVinfo.net

Stephen Claus · May 5th, 2007, 10:40 PM

I am trying to set up a live 3 camera shoot using a Newtek Tricaster Pro video mixer, one Sony FX1 and two Canon A1's. The FX1 is connected to the mixer via S-video and the Canons are connected via BNC composite--both analog connections. We want to record HDV to tape on each camera, but we want to feed letterboxed SD to the mixer, which can only take analog SD.

The Sony does just fine; we see perfectly proportioned 4:3 letterbox on the Tricaster's monitor. The Canons, however, give us 16:9 stretched to fill a 4:3 area. I have been all through the manual and have tried multiple settings and I can't get what I want.

Is this just not possible with a Canon XHA1?

Richard Hunter · May 5th, 2007, 11:27 PM

Hi Stephen. Try Signal Setup/Letterbox - ON. It's on page 99 of the manual.

Richard

Bill Busby · May 6th, 2007, 12:58 AM

Richard, I'm fairly sure he means running the two A1's BNC's thru the video mixer... which can't be letterboxed. Just another possible item for a firmware update, because it's just plain silly it can't do that :)

Bill

Richard Hunter · May 6th, 2007, 08:20 AM

Hi Bill. I didn't try it for myself, but I thought the video on the AV and BNC were the same signal, and that letterboxing would work for whichever output was selected. If it doesn't, then I agree it is silly.

Richard

Charles Papert · March 9th, 2008, 04:51 PM

Been trying to figure this one out today also; I need to output a live letterboxed image from the camera. The letterbox function as described above is from the playback menu (camera must be in "VCR" rather than "camera" mode to enable the letterbox item, and it doesn't seem to make any difference when the camera is switched back to live monitoring.

Dez Leung · May 12th, 2008, 12:10 AM

I find that Newtek Tricaster Pro video mixer should have aspect ratio control switch at output.

Dez Leung · May 12th, 2008, 09:51 PM

I am also thinking to use an regular DVD recorder in between the component out from XHA1 and the VGA Projector. The DVD recorder should be able to accept 16:9 from XHA1 and allow me to change the aspect ratio to 4:3 and output to the projector.

Have anyone tried this setup?

Russell Silva · June 25th, 2012, 12:46 PM

Has this isssue ever been resolved? I'm having the same issue with the XHA1 -- trying to downconvert HD signal out of BNC to display letterboxed on a Trinitron 4:3 monitor. Thanks...

May 5th, 2007, 10:40 PM	#1
Stephen Claus Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Rochester, NH Posts: 66	Can I record HD and output letterbox SD? I am trying to set up a live 3 camera shoot using a Newtek Tricaster Pro video mixer, one Sony FX1 and two Canon A1's. The FX1 is connected to the mixer via S-video and the Canons are connected via BNC composite--both analog connections. We want to record HDV to tape on each camera, but we want to feed letterboxed SD to the mixer, which can only take analog SD. The Sony does just fine; we see perfectly proportioned 4:3 letterbox on the Tricaster's monitor. The Canons, however, give us 16:9 stretched to fill a 4:3 area. I have been all through the manual and have tried multiple settings and I can't get what I want. Is this just not possible with a Canon XHA1?

March 9th, 2008, 04:51 PM	#5
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Been trying to figure this one out today also; I need to output a live letterboxed image from the camera. The letterbox function as described above is from the playback menu (camera must be in "VCR" rather than "camera" mode to enable the letterbox item, and it doesn't seem to make any difference when the camera is switched back to live monitoring. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

June 25th, 2012, 12:46 PM	#8
Russell Silva Tourist Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 2	Re: Can I record HD and output letterbox SD? Has this isssue ever been resolved? I'm having the same issue with the XHA1 -- trying to downconvert HD signal out of BNC to display letterboxed on a Trinitron 4:3 monitor. Thanks...

May 5th, 2007, 11:27 PM	#2
Richard Hunter Trustee Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lipa City Batangas, Philippines Posts: 1,110	Hi Stephen. Try Signal Setup/Letterbox - ON. It's on page 99 of the manual. Richard

May 6th, 2007, 12:58 AM	#3
Bill Busby Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 959	Richard, I'm fairly sure he means running the two A1's BNC's thru the video mixer... which can't be letterboxed. Just another possible item for a firmware update, because it's just plain silly it can't do that :) Bill

May 6th, 2007, 08:20 AM	#4
Richard Hunter Trustee Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lipa City Batangas, Philippines Posts: 1,110	Hi Bill. I didn't try it for myself, but I thought the video on the AV and BNC were the same signal, and that letterboxing would work for whichever output was selected. If it doesn't, then I agree it is silly. Richard

May 12th, 2008, 12:10 AM	#6
Dez Leung New Boot Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 5	I find that Newtek Tricaster Pro video mixer should have aspect ratio control switch at output.

May 12th, 2008, 09:51 PM	#7
Dez Leung New Boot Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 5	I am also thinking to use an regular DVD recorder in between the component out from XHA1 and the VGA Projector. The DVD recorder should be able to accept 16:9 from XHA1 and allow me to change the aspect ratio to 4:3 and output to the projector. Have anyone tried this setup?