DVD Studio Pro, SD, and True 16:9? at DVinfo.net

Javier Urena · September 28th, 2005, 10:34 PM

According to the owner's manual, DVD Studio Pro only supports true 16:9 on HD projects. For SD, the footage must be 4:3 or anamorphic 16:9. My short film was shot with an XL2, which is true 16:9. What settings will I use for making a 16:9 DVD with this software?

TIA

Dave Perry · September 29th, 2005, 05:37 AM

Javier,

Although the XL 2 shoots true 16:9, it's still anamorphic because it's fit into a 720x480 frame since all DV footage is 720x480. Actually, all SD DVDs are a frame size of 640x480 per the MPEG2 spec.

This does not matter. In DVDSP you set the frame size by selecting a track and choosing 4:3, 16:9 letterbox, or 16:9 pan and scan in the General tab of the Tracks pallette. This tells the DVD player how to display the video. Choose "16:9 Letterbox" for full screen 16:9 play back on a widescreen TV. This way it will display properly on a widescreen set and will automatically letterbox on a 4:3 set.

Javier Urena · September 29th, 2005, 07:00 PM

Thank you Dave. So I will always treat footage from an XL2 as anamorphic. Gotcha.

September 28th, 2005, 10:34 PM	#1
Javier Urena Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 67	DVD Studio Pro, SD, and True 16:9? According to the owner's manual, DVD Studio Pro only supports true 16:9 on HD projects. For SD, the footage must be 4:3 or anamorphic 16:9. My short film was shot with an XL2, which is true 16:9. What settings will I use for making a 16:9 DVD with this software? TIA

September 29th, 2005, 05:37 AM	#2
Dave Perry Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 796	Javier, Although the XL 2 shoots true 16:9, it's still anamorphic because it's fit into a 720x480 frame since all DV footage is 720x480. Actually, all SD DVDs are a frame size of 640x480 per the MPEG2 spec. This does not matter. In DVDSP you set the frame size by selecting a track and choosing 4:3, 16:9 letterbox, or 16:9 pan and scan in the General tab of the Tracks pallette. This tells the DVD player how to display the video. Choose "16:9 Letterbox" for full screen 16:9 play back on a widescreen TV. This way it will display properly on a widescreen set and will automatically letterbox on a 4:3 set. __________________ Dave Perry Cinematographer LLC Director of Photography • Editor • Digital Film Production • 540.915.2752 • daveperry.net

September 29th, 2005, 07:00 PM	#3
Javier Urena Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 67	Thank you Dave. So I will always treat footage from an XL2 as anamorphic. Gotcha.