LCD letterbox vs. mask in post

sean90291

Veteran
I'm working on a shoot that intends to mask the results in post to create a 16:9 image (they do not want us to shoot with the DVX in letterbox however, as they want to mask as they see fit). But if I switch to letterbox just to set some tape over my LCD, will this be identical to what the producers will arrive at by masking in post? It's relevant to how I frame my shots. If the letterbox is not the same as a standard 16:9 mask, then I run the risk of chopping people's heads off. I've seen a variety of "sizes" from the anamorphic mask to the 16:9 mask. Any suggestions?
 
Get some Screen Skins from EVS. They are static cling so you won't get tape residue on your LCD. You can also see through the "masked area" to better help with your framing.
 
Thanks Blaine. It'a a good idea. I didn't know they made such a thing...except I have no time to do that before shooting tomorrow. Just wondering if the letterbox framing in the DVX is the same as what a company would do in post when they add a 16:9 mask.
 
It will likely not be an exact match.

But it also will likely not be more than a few pixels off, and split between the top and the bottom, it won't amount to much. If they have to slide the picture down by a couple of pixel lines, it won't really hurt anything.
 
The resolution will be cut off and really only taking a standard 4:3 picture and cutting the top and bottom off for to make it appear wide screen... If you were to watch this on a wide screen monitor/TV it will not look good.

I've read (and avail on the DVX100A not DVX100) you can use the "squeze" mode in 24p and then in post edit in the 24p widescreen mode. While I've never tried it, they say you get much better results and it will fill a widescreen monitor/TV screen
 
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