shooting and editing in 4:3 or 16:9

[KimSWilliamson]

Hello Everyone,

Is anybody still shooting and editing in aspect ratio 4:3 besides me!!!????

I was going to purchase a 22" LCD TV as a monitor for my Renommee, and realized all the new ones I found are 16:9 aspect ratio.

Then I started to panic, thinking "should I be shooting and editing in 16:9?

Most of my jobs are for 30 sec. spots for TV, but not HD -it is a low power TV station and does not have HD technology yet.

I also make short videos for clients for their websites, 3-5 min. videos - noone has requested HD yet.

So, am I really behind the technology?

Also, I was thinking of using a computer monitor for editng, any pros and cons about that?

Many thanks, Kim Williamson

[HansJoachimKoenig]

Hi Kim,
You are mixing up 16:9 format is HD, it is certainly not.
HD format is only possible in 16:9
There are 3 formats in TV
Standard Definition 4:3
Standard Definition 16:9
High Definition 16:9
All these formats can be watched on a 16:9 TV screen,
full HD of course needs special monitors.
The TV-Station you are working for do they transmit still only 4:3 or also 16:9?

[CasablancaExpert]

Hello Kim,

To add to Hans' post, you can edit many of the flavors of today's video cameras in the current Casablanca OS, but selecting the proper format in the Project settings menu prior to importing your first footage for any project (and you can edit different formats, in different projects on the same hard drive).

Regarding your monitor question - yes, it is increasingly difficult to find 4:3 aspect monitors as the consumer market has greatly embraced HD and wide-screen TV. It is possible to find a 4:3 monitor from a professional equipment vendor.

Two other thoughts about your monitor search - if your 4:3 work involves the need for precise positioning of graphics, etc. beware that the current 16:9 monitors do not all correctly display the 4:3 signal... what I mean is that you can likely play back video of people from a 4:3 source and not notice much on these monitors but if you are arranging graphic objects (like in Akaba, etc) and need precision, some have found distortion/irregular display -- like a circle displaying more oval-qualities. To check this, you could bring a DVD with you to the store with some shapes, test pics you are familiar with to ensure proper playback.

Lastly, I personally do not recommend editing from your Casablanca while monitoring on a VGA (computer) monitor, at least not in single monitor mode. Many of our colleagues use a VGA monitor in dual-monitor mode in Smart Edit and that's fine. But there are a few issues remaining in single monitor VGA mode.

Lastly -- as to whether you are 'behind the times' as you put it, as far as shooting 4:3. I would say, yes. Whether or not you go 'HD' that is up to you and your market/audience, but I am encouraging folks to move to wide-screen when they can as that is the dominant display format for now and in the near future at least. That said, if your primary client (the LPTV station) remains in 4:3 then that guides you in your answer. Also, be aware on most all newer camcorders that shoot in 16:9 (whether SD or HD, and they're pretty much all HD with the option of down-converting to SD) you have the option of turning on a 4:3 marker on your viewfinder, so although you are shooting wide-screen, you can down-convert with a special setting that 'cuts off' the wide screen edges, giving you a 4:3 image from our WS footage.

Hope that helps!

Regards,
Chet

[LouBruno]

Hello Everyone,

Is anybody still shooting and editing in aspect ratio 4:3 besides me!!!???? YES, some people still use the PD 170 for its lowlight capability.

I was going to purchase a 22" LCD TV as a monitor for my Renommee, and realized all the new ones I found are 16:9 aspect ratio. 4:3 TV's are gone...none being produced.

Then I started to panic, thinking "should I be shooting and editing in 16:9? YES, because you can always letterbox. People with 4:3 TV's are observing more letterboxed content so it is not out of the ordinary.

Most of my jobs are for 30 sec. spots for TV, but not HD -it is a low power TV station and does not have HD technology yet. No, problem. Set your project to 4:3.

I also make short videos for clients for their websites, 3-5 min. videos - noone has requested HD yet. Offer SD in widescreen. Increase your business by selling and offering HD...don't wait for people to ask.

So, am I really behind the technology? YES........................16:9 is the way to go. HD can be offered now if you choose.

Also, I was thinking of using a computer monitor for editng, any pros and cons about that? Never, Never use a computer VGA monitor for editing. Resolution, aspect ratio and colors are never displayed properly.

Many thanks, Kim Williamson

[KimSWilliamson]

Thanks for all the advice and great feedback

Yes, I do know that 16:9 is also in SD, in my haste, I was only saying that I do not shoot in HD yet.

In gratitude,
Kim