16:9 and 4:3 ratios

[Bonnie]

Help - I am not experienced in taping weddings. I volenteered to video my nephew's because they weren't going to have a tape at all. When I got there my sister & other nephew also had camcorders. So I had three cameras. The end result is I have one camera which was set to tape in 16:9 & the other cameras taped in 4:3. 1) Can you mix the two ratios in the tape editing process? 2) If not, is there a way to convert the 16:9 to 4:3? 3) Failing the first 2 is there a work around? I am NOT experienced. I used my camera to float around. The other 2 were fixed. I just don't know what to do or where to start. I would really appreciate any help at all. Thanks.

[TimKennelly]

You can mix the two proportions, but how well you consider they go together will be a matter of taste.

You can convert in either direction using CineConvert (something like that) if you have Effect Pack 8 I believe.

[Bonnie]

Thanks for your quick reply Tim. From what you said, the footage of each would stay in its original fomat. I don't think I would like that visually. Does converting footage from one to another effect the quality, and if so do you know how much? Should I edit the clips first and then convert or convert before editing? Does the converting process take a long time? I don't have effects #8 but would be willing to get it if it would work. I feel way over my head. Thanks.

[TimKennelly]

Others such as Lou could better answer quality and rener time than I as I have never seriously used it (a little playing around with it) as when I shot in 4:3 in the old days I stayed in 4:3 and when I went to HDV I stayed with 16:9.

I know it takes rendering time so I would suggest doing such editing as Splitting/Trimming first.

[LouBruno]

OK.....first question(s) and then we can proceed:


Are you going to deliver your content in 4:3 or 16:9?


Is this HD?

[Bonnie]

Hi Lou,
It is not HD. I could go either way. At first I thought I would go with 4:3 because there would be less converting. But I think now days all the youngin' have 16:9 TVs. So, is there an advantage to converting one way over another? I'm inclined to go with 16:9 because of their TV even though it would involve more time converting. But I am most concerned with qulaity of image. So, what would you sugest? I am ordering effects #8 today. I hope there is a manual/directions. Thanks for your response and any suggestions would be appreciated.

[LouBruno]

Chet has a 23 minute video at www/casablancaexpert.com Hopefully you joined. The video explains step by step and all you have to do is follow along.

There are several way to keep the 16:9 aspect. Use: PANAZOOM or CINECONVERTER. Fiddle around with the settings


If you feel there is too much quality loss, which there will be converting your 4:3 to 16:9 then used YOUR PATTERNS in 16:9....make a pattern in the 16:9 project, the pattern will be 16:9.....add 4:3 scene of the same length via PIP or PIP STUDIO to the center of the 16:9 Pattern....much like CNN. This is called pillar boxing. Keep your regular 16:9 intact. There is no other way to actually keep your scenes pristine.

The trouble with letterboxing 16:9 for 4:3 in your case is that since the clients have widescreen, a 4:3 letterboxed picture gets lost inside the wide screen. The cineconverted effects resolution. Try my method first.

Letterboxing 4:3 for regular TV is fine if you start with a 16:9 scene.

I highly suggest Mr. Davis' site as he has a great video tutorial. In the search area place : ASPECT RATIO

Hi Lou,
It is not HD. I could go either way. At first I thought I would go with 4:3 because there would be less converting. But I think now days all the youngin' have 16:9 TVs. So, is there an advantage to converting one way over another? I'm inclined to go with 16:9 because of their TV even though it would involve more time converting. But I am most concerned with qulaity of image. So, what would you sugest? I am ordering effects #8 today. I hope there is a manual/directions. Thanks for your response and any suggestions would be appreciated.