16:9 vs 4:3 Format

[photon]

Aloha Everyone,

Initial Data indicates that the XL2 favors 16:9.

If you shoot 16:9, edit, and transfer to DVD, and you are uncertain whether the DVD will be viewed in either a 16:9 or 4:3 format, what will the net effect be of the quality of the resulting video in 4:3? My thoughts are that it will look fine provided that it was shot in 16:9. Is this correct?

[MovieSwede]

Well define "fine"

The problem of cropping a DV shoot in 16:9 to 4:3 is that you are going to loose resolution. Even if the cam capture more pixels then 720*480 it cant store more on the DV tape. So the end result vill be that you cut away pixels on the edges.

Of course if you just gonna show it on a TV it wont get unwatchable. But it aint gonna be as good as if you shoot 4:3 from start.

If you store it as 16:9 on the DVD its just gonna be letterboxed when show it on 4:3 tv.

[Barry_Green]

If you intend to make a DVD, and you want to shoot with a widescreen aspect ratio anyway, then by all means make a widescreen DVD. The DVD player will letterbox the footage automatically, and for most people I think quality is not an issue with regards to DVD players' resampling/downsizing...

[MovieSwede]

And I prefer to se a 16:9 output on a 4:3 tv, then a 4:3 output on a 16:9 tv. And most stuff i shot on 4:3 has I been able to crop down to 16:9 (sometimes even 2,35:1) even if i never thought about it when i shoot it. Its just so that most important stuff happens on the sides than up and down.

Wider is nicer.

[theos]

(1) So pls what is the image difference translated into pixels between the xl2 shooting in 16:9 native and the panny with the anamorphic adapter? (do not include that the adapter gives you close to a 21 mm deal)

(2) Last thing please slapbarries *;) I am amazed at how close you can bring a subject to the glass of the ana adapter, like right up to the glass and still focus. Would this work on the interchangable lens xl2 setup. I say this because I own 2 still cameras the Nikon 5700 (fixed lens) and the Nikon D70 (SLR). As for these still cameras, fixed lenses will work even in macro mode, *that is with subject right up to the glass, whilst 35mm lenses just need their space to focus, giving you at times less freedom. Shooting in an elevator or similar tight spaces requires some help from your camera . . . 21mm with close up shoots available is an important detail not to dismiss.

Thanks

[Barry_Green]

1) there is no difference in pixels, they both record at 720x480.

2) can't know until we try it. But you can only do that with the anamorphic adapter at full wide-angle, I would expect the Canon should probably be able to perform similarly, but its maximum wide-angle will be more like 40mm equivalent, rather than 21mm equivalent on the DVX.

[theos]

Thanks Barry