Does the DVX100 shoot native 16x9?

Ryan is correct.
(EDIT: Mostly correct - the 100A and 100B have squeeze, the 100 does not - good catch Barry)
you can shoot squeeze. (rectangular video, no bars on 16X9 TV)
letterbox in post. (square video with black bars at top and bottom)
letterbox in post and blow up to true 16X9 (rectangular video, no bars on 16X9 TV)
or use an anamorphic adapter ($$) (rectangular video, no bars on 16X9 TV)

before I got my HVX, I did like Ryan and letterboxed in post.

As to which method is better, people will still be debating that as long as there is a DVX out there shooting somewhere.

but suffice it to say that all modes are comparable. Given that, personally, I like letterboxing in post (and then converting to true 16X9) because you just have so many framing options and tricks available doing it that way.
 
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jason.adams said:
I could be wrong, but I believe the resolution is a bit better when you shoot 4:3 and then LB in post.
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Don't even go there. There is so much ridiculous contention on this issue and I will shoot myself in the head if this thread devolves down that path. :) It's just a matter of whether you think your camera on the fly can blow up and resize the image better than compressor or FCP.

P.S. (I happen to agree with you but many make arguments to the contrary)

If you just LB in post vs. actually resizing it to 16X9 so it plays without columns or letterbox on a 16X9 screen then you are probably, inarguably correct, because you have done nothing to the center portion of the image. You haven't stretched it or blown it up or pushed it or pulled it. You just put a mask over the top and bottom. So this might be a bit better than squeeze which electronically blows the image up and changes the pixel shape, but it will also be better than blowing up to 16X9 in post, which also electronically futzes with the image in the same way.

mlemaudit said:
Then you shoot squeeze and not in 4:3 if you want to letterbox in post right?
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No that's opposite.

Squeeze is actually rectangular shaped (16X9) video. To get this the camera blows up what would be within the black bars in a 4:3 letterbox and throws away the top and bottom of the image - what would be under the black bars. You're stretching your image and throwing away part of the information. If you do this there will be nothing left to letterbox. It's now 16X9. Yes it will appear letterboxed on a 4:3 TV but that's a function of your DVD player. If you look at it as a quicktime movie it will be rectangular with nothing to letterbox.

Shoot 4:3 to letterbox in post. It's square video. Now you have something you can actually put black bars over. You have not thrown away any information or part of the picture.

If you look at this as a quicktime movie it will be square shaped with black bars and a 16X9 video inside the bars.

Now if you want actual 16X9 shaped video, you then drag your 4:3 letterboxed timeline onto a 16X9 time line or convert it in compressor to 16X9.

If you look at this as a quicktime video, it will be the same as if you shot squeezed - rectangular with no black bars. This way though you were able to reframe in post. And as stated before, people will argue over which is marginally better in terms of resolution, shooting squeeze or blowing up to 16X9 in post.
 
But if you shoot 4:3 you need to know approximately your 16x9 framing because it will look odd if you cut half the face of an individual at the editing if your 16x9 framing wasn't planed in advance. In that regard they (Panasonic) should add lines in the LCD of the DVX to show what is in the 16x9 frame or not otherwise we need to put stupid tape on the LCD and it doesn't look too professional.
 
Back to the original question, just to be clear on this point: a DVX100 does *not* have squeeze mode, only letterbox. Squeeze was added in the DVX100A and DVX100B. So if the O.P. was using an original-model DVX100, squeeze wouldn't be an option.
 
Jack Daniel Stanley said:
If you just LB in post vs. actually resizing it to 16X9 so it plays without columns or letterbox on a 16X9 screen then you are probably, inarguably correct, because you have done nothing to the center portion of the image. You haven't stretched it or blown it up or pushed it or pulled it. You just put a mask over the top and bottom. So this might be a bit better than squeeze which electronically blows the image up and changes the pixel shape, but it will also be better than blowing up to 16X9 in post, which also electronically futzes with the image in the same way.
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Sorry to swerve the topic again. But I have always wondered, how does one add LB in post using premiere pro? I mean, I know how to add black bars, but don't know how tall these black bars should be and where they should stop. Is there a template or way so I get the correct 16:9 ratio?
 
LADIES AND (a few) GENTLEMEN...

Aspect Ratio Films presents...

16:9 The Film

Setting: A dingy room
Plot: A bunch of guys endlessly, endlessly, endlessly discussing 16:9- letterbox, squeeze, anamorphic, or true 16:9.
Mood: Surreal, nightmarish, never ending, like a bad dream...
Conflict: Plenty
Ending: Jack Daniel Stanley, sweating profusely, eyes bulging, screams, "STOP!!!
There is so much ridiculous contention on this issue and I will shoot myself in the head if this film devolves down this path!"

BTW: It's shot in 4:3! Bru-ha-ha-ha!!!
 
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