HX200. How does it record 16:9 (noob question)

[nextgenneo]

So newb question.

I have recorded some stuff in 720p/24 and have brought the MXF's onto my computer for post. AE and Premiere import them at 1.33 960*720 aspect ratio and it looks squeezed.

Are the files stored in this 4:3 ratio so when I "blow them up" to 1280*720 in my NLE I am losing quality?

How exactly does it work,
Thanks for the help

nextgenneo

[ProfessorU]

For the NTSC cam, 720p is recorded in 960x720. Each pixel represents an area 1.333 times wider than it is tall. This is called a pixel aspect ratio of 1.333. This makes it possible for the 960x720 video to have an aspect ratio of 16x9.

"losing quality" is relative. If you compared it to footage shot on a camera capable of 1280x720, it would look less sharp. But you're not making the footage worse by this conversion.

[Lumiere]

My camera is PAL and i am in PAL country but CS3 is also see 960x720 for the 720 project so evrytime i export i make it 1280x720 manually..İ think that is not about ntsc and pal its about hvx's chip

[Joe Lawry]

In 720, the hvx is always recording 960x720, doesnt matter if your shooting 50Hz or 60 Hz.. however when in 1080, At 50Hz the camera records 1440x1080 and in 60Hz it records 1280x1080...

Im pretty sure that last frame size is correct. Someone let me know if im off by a bit.

[Lumiere]

yeah thats what i already know...in avid you see the footage like 1280x720 but in cs3 is shows native frame size 960x720 so you have to re-set frame size when exporting..cause camera converting it to 1280x720 somehow...