16:9 crop marks in DVX

ian lucero

ian lucero

Well-known member
I know on the XL1s there is a way to see the guide lines for 16:9 so you can crop the image in post. Is there a way to bring those same lines up on the DVX? For now i use the bottom of Timecode line and top of Battery(i think) to use for guides.

It would be nice to see a thin line for cropping later or be able to move the lines.

Also does anyone see a drawback to "faking" 16:9 this way? I know you can't get as close to the subject, any other people doing it this way?
 
Re: 16:9 crop marks in DVX

No. Those lines aren't available on the DVX.

I'm not sure what you mean by "faking" it -- the method is the same used with 35mm film, which is 4:3.

Shooting 4:3 and masking later gives you more leeway in editing.
 
Re: 16:9 crop marks in DVX

Unfortunately, the DVX has no 16:9 guides to aid in framing if you're shooting 4:3 with plans to crop to 16:9 in post.

Instead, you can mask your LCD to 16:9 with tape, or, alternately, get a plastic screen protector (the kind used for PDA's), put it on the LCD, then use a pen to mark lines for 16:9, which will allow you to still see the entire 4:3 frame but also to compose within the 16:9 guidelines.
 
Re: 16:9 crop marks in DVX

i guess what i meant by faking it was by using the cropping method instead of using a anamorphic adaptor and that you'd have to kind of reposition back a bit to get what you want in the 16:9 frame.

I do agree it does give leeway in post as you can move the image up or down to compose it better.

thanks for the info

the tape method works for me. I've done it on the lcd for my trv900.
 
Re: 16:9 crop marks in DVX

I've done the tape-the-viewfinder thing, and frankly I just don't get it. Yes you can reposition, but it seems like such a silly thing to do... just put the thing in Letterbox mode and shoot, and be done with it... ;)
 
Re: 16:9 crop marks in DVX

As I always crop to 1.85:1 or 2.35:1 instead of 16:9, I have to crop anyway, and I find the extra leeway useful a lot of the time, so . . .
 
Re: 16:9 crop marks in DVX

[quote author=Barry_Green link=board=news;num=1092508417;start=0#4 date=08/14/04 at 14:04:34]I've done the tape-the-viewfinder thing, and frankly I just don't get it.  Yes you can reposition, but it seems like such a silly thing to do... just put the thing in Letterbox mode and shoot, and be done with it...  ;)[/quote]

seems like that would be the way to with the DVX as it has a better resolution in letterbox than with other cameras in letterbox mode. So i've read in other threads.
 
Re: 16:9 crop marks in DVX

[quote author=David Jimerson link=board=news;num=1092508417;start=0#5 date=08/14/04 at 14:08:36]As I always crop to 1.85:1 or 2.35:1 instead of 16:9, I have to crop anyway, and I find the extra leeway useful a lot of the time, so . . . [/quote]
DOH! There I go with that egocentric thinking again... yes, if you're cropping to other than 16:9, you have to do that anyway, and if you like repositioning, then sure. Sorry for being close-minded!
 
Re: 16:9 crop marks in DVX

Which method is used more frequently for DV to Film transfers at this time, shooting DV movies in 4:3 and cropping when transferring to film, or using an anamorphic adapter? Are there any good examples of movies that use either one of these methods?

Also, if I were to go from 4:3 DV straight to DVD without a film transfer, what is the best method to get the cropped picture to be true 16X9? Would it be expanding the video using software like After Effects, or using some specific hardware method such as uprezzing to HD?
 
Re: 16:9 crop marks in DVX

I shot this past weekend using 4:3 for the first time (as I have just used the incamera bars prior) and I liked it. I like 1:85 and especially dig the 2:35 anyway. Im going to shoot 4:3 from now on I think.
 
Re: 16:9 crop marks in DVX

[quote author=David Jimerson link=board=news;num=1092508417;start=0#5 date=08/14/04 at 14:08:36]As I always crop to 1.85:1 or 2.35:1 instead of 16:9, I have to crop anyway, and I find the extra leeway useful a lot of the time, so . . . [/quote]

I've been thinking of making plastic overlays for the other aspect ratios. One each for shooting 4:3 and Squeeze.

I've got a boxfull of laserprinter transparencies, so...

But I have no idea where to draw the lines. I figure the best way would be to tack some guidelines up on a wall, shoot, and trace a template as a pattern.

Are there any decently sized patterns out there (the web) I could shoot? Or an idea how big to draw the boxes on a sheet of paper?

Dan
 
Re: 16:9 crop marks in DVX

I'll normally create a mask in photoshop, so that it will be 100% precise...and then just output the still through firewire to my LCD/monitor. That way you can put tape (or whatever you're using) perfectly over top of your mask's lines, and it'll be perfect.
 
Re: 16:9 crop marks in DVX

OK. I give up. How do I transfer an image to the DVX? Can it be done? I'm not presently using a field monitor. (Fancy way of saying I need to buy other things first. :) )

Dan
 
Re: 16:9 crop marks in DVX

Put DVX in vcr mode, plug in the firewire and output from your video editor to your camera while you record.
You'll need to import any stills first of course.
 
Re: 16:9 crop marks in DVX

Got a call yesterday from a DVX Feature I worked on that shot with the DVX. They found a buyer at a market in Europe and one of the delivery requirements was 4:3. Producer phoned me and asked if we shot in camera 16:9 and I said yes. Sorry boss.. but its pan and scan for you.

The reason I do in camera was because the opposite happened with another project I worked on, called Art Pisstory. Shot 4:3 but framed 16x9, got in a fight with the producers and cut my losses and they later on ended up "forgeting" to add the bars, so everything looks like crap, five miles of headroom or too much bottom. So now I add bars if the project is 16x9, one of those Protect your Neck things.

Anyways for my own stuff I like being able to bump headroom and god damn booms out of my frame in post when I mark off the LCD... gives a little control. And by some luck of the draw anyone every wants to buy my stuff at least I have a 4:3 for delivery ha ha. ha...
 
Re: 16:9 crop marks in DVX

[quote author=Scottdvx100 link=board=news;num=1092508417;start=15#15 date=08/21/04 at 12:51:22]Put DVX in vcr mode, plug in the firewire and output from your video editor to your camera while you record.
You'll need to import any stills first of course.
[/quote]

Ah. OK. I'll give that a try. Thanks.

(But, silly me...realized last night that all I have to do is print out a frame template...any size...then aim the camera at it and adjust the fit. D'oh!)

Dan
 
Re: 16:9 crop marks in DVX

Just note that the LCD (and viewfinder) don't show 100% of the frame. (underscan) so line up coudl be slightly off.
 
Re: 16:9 crop marks in DVX

I'll do some experimenting.

I made up a template that shows 16:9, 1.85:1, and 2.35:1 in the same frame.

If I switch to letterbox mode temporarily to line up the 16:9 portion, hopefully the rest will be...ahem...close enough. We'll see. ;)

Oh, crap. And there's safe areas, too... Why oh why couldn't I have been into model trains, instead?

Dan
 
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