editing with letterbox

[Greg Harris]

Ok I have the dvx100 and sometimes shoot in the letter box mode and as I edit I want to make everything more consistant and have everything letterbox. I see commercials movies and stuff that are in letterbox. I was wondering what program (premeir pro, AE, final cut) can I put my footage into letter box? I know most movies aren't shot with letter box because most DVDs give you options with choosing full sceen or letter box.
thanks

[Rob Lohman]

How movies are shot has nothing to with DVD's. Most movies are shot in
true widescreen/anamorphic. A DVD player can auto-letterbox an anamorphic
16:9 movie on the fly (for display on a non widescreen display).

Any NLE can add letterboxing to your footage. You can either use a 16:9
project (this is not letterboxing) or us a mask. Some programs come with
a letterbox generator as well (like Sony Vegas, I believe later versions of
Premiere might have that as well).

For a mask you can visit my site: www.visuar.com/letterbox/calc.htm

However, there is a good chance my mask is different than the "mask" the
DVX is using internally. So if you go down the mask route you probably need
to make your own in a paint program.

Good luck!