16:9 vs 4:3 and another question at DVinfo.net

K.C. Kennedy · April 12th, 2010, 07:54 AM

Excuse my dumb question :( please
My fx1 is set to 16:9 and I never changed it to 4:3, does anybody ever use the 4:3 mode, is there any advantage to it since most tv's are wide screen now?
Also, I do a little production in a home made studio and was trying to match a picture profile of my fx1 with a panasonic camcorder which gives much brighter/punchier reds and browns than my somewhat flatter fx1 without much success. Any suggestions on matching color of two different cameras?
Thank you in advance.

Rick Lutec · April 12th, 2010, 10:48 PM

4.3 or 16.9? Pending on who is watching what you shoot.
In some cases there may be viewers/ clients that will mostly view footage in 4.3 and SD.
When I used my FX1 and Z1U for taping some performances I knew that the archived footage would be viewed on older 4.3 sets so I would use the 4.3 mode. In those kinds of situations the mode still has some purpose.
If you're taping for someone other than yourself just ask which mode they prefer. At least you have a choice.

Re. colors. it may be easier to reduce the tones of the more vivid cam to better match the duller of the two. Then, if you want, you can either alter the tones or try to match them in post.

K.C. Kennedy · April 13th, 2010, 03:04 PM

Thank you, Rick.
It was not my camera, it was one of those smaller Panny units where you have to dig into menus to find what you need :(

Jonathan Palfrey · April 15th, 2010, 07:23 AM

I personally havent ever used the 4:3 mode because in the UK everything is 16:9 including all SD TV. I think its probably best to just always shoot 16:9 even if the client wants 4:3 and just make sure you shoot in the safe area. I would only shoot 4:3 if they wanted the original tape for some reason.

As for matching the cameras, probably best to leave it until post as those panny cameras wont have much adjustment. The FX1 might be able to adjust enough maybe just have a play around with some of the PP settings

April 12th, 2010, 07:54 AM	#1
K.C. Kennedy Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New York Posts: 80	16:9 vs 4:3 and another question Excuse my dumb question :( please My fx1 is set to 16:9 and I never changed it to 4:3, does anybody ever use the 4:3 mode, is there any advantage to it since most tv's are wide screen now? Also, I do a little production in a home made studio and was trying to match a picture profile of my fx1 with a panasonic camcorder which gives much brighter/punchier reds and browns than my somewhat flatter fx1 without much success. Any suggestions on matching color of two different cameras? Thank you in advance.

April 12th, 2010, 10:48 PM	#2
Rick Lutec Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 39	4.3 or 16.9? Pending on who is watching what you shoot. In some cases there may be viewers/ clients that will mostly view footage in 4.3 and SD. When I used my FX1 and Z1U for taping some performances I knew that the archived footage would be viewed on older 4.3 sets so I would use the 4.3 mode. In those kinds of situations the mode still has some purpose. If you're taping for someone other than yourself just ask which mode they prefer. At least you have a choice. Re. colors. it may be easier to reduce the tones of the more vivid cam to better match the duller of the two. Then, if you want, you can either alter the tones or try to match them in post.

April 13th, 2010, 03:04 PM	#3
K.C. Kennedy Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New York Posts: 80	Thank you, Rick. It was not my camera, it was one of those smaller Panny units where you have to dig into menus to find what you need :(

April 15th, 2010, 07:23 AM	#4
Jonathan Palfrey Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Torbay, UK Posts: 170	I personally havent ever used the 4:3 mode because in the UK everything is 16:9 including all SD TV. I think its probably best to just always shoot 16:9 even if the client wants 4:3 and just make sure you shoot in the safe area. I would only shoot 4:3 if they wanted the original tape for some reason. As for matching the cameras, probably best to leave it until post as those panny cameras wont have much adjustment. The FX1 might be able to adjust enough maybe just have a play around with some of the PP settings