2.39 aspect ratio workflow?

[Kent OGP]

I've just started editing my first feature which I shot on a 7d for a 2.39 crop in Premiere. After editing I want DVD's that will play with the proper 2.39 aspect ratio, but also an HD version for film fest projection (probably HDcam and Blu-Ray)

My question is would it be best to edit in a sequence with the 2.39 dimensions or should I wait until export to crop off the top and bottom? I started editing with the project set at a 2.39 aspect ratio but I got worried that it would make the aspect ratio in the DVDs messed up. Would it be better to keep the 16:9 ratio and just letterbox it to 2.39 for DVDs?

Also, if I do edit in 16:9 what's the best way to crop for 2.39 export if I wanted a version with no black bars at the top or bottom (like if I wanted to put a trailer on Vimeo)?

 

[nosys70]

2.39 does not exist in DVD or in blu-ray, but if you take the pain to shoot 2.39, it would be better to edit
at that ration and convert only at the final output.

 

[Kent OGP]

So how would I convert it from 2.39 to 16:9 in Premiere for the DVD?

 

[Ann Bens]

Just export to mpeg2-dvd widescreen.

 

[Otis Grapsas]

Use 16:9 everywhere. Monitors are 16:9 or taller and the distribution codecs do not waste much rate in the black space.