Anamorphic 16x9

A

AInches

Member
Hey all-

I was told as a prerequisite for a shoot that my camera- an HPX500- would need to shoot in anamorphic 16X9 or 4x3. I've scoured the internet and manual, but I see no direct reference to shooting in anamorphic 16x9 for the 500. Is there a way to set this or is it another term for an existing setting on the camera?

Any assistance would be appreciated.

thanks.
 
Thanks for responding. In doing that, are you shooting in SD (480) and then changing the aspect conv? I'm still fumbling through. Thanks.
 
To shoot 16x9 SD, you'll need to go into Camera Setup, select Aspect Conv, and then set it to "Squeeze".

Why on earth they named it "squeeze" is anyone's guess, but that is the 16x9 setting for SD. Letter box will give you bars at the top and bottom.

-Brad
 
I think you've already gotten your answer, but I'd like to throw it out there that DVCPRO HD is an anamorphic codec. It records 960x720 with wide pixels that fill out the 1280x720 HD frame.
 
I think something has been slightly lost in translation here. The problem is the terminology is used a couple of different ways. For example on a DVD they may label it Anamorphic wide screen 16:9. For what reason, I have no idea, because on the other end of it, its not as simple as a 16:9 image.

No camera or codec is real anamorphic. Lets look at the DVX100 its a 4:3 camera, but in squeeze mode it gives you an faux anamorphic 16:9, yeah fake. Do your research.

So lets say on your 500 you wanted to record an HD image on your 16:9 sensor that was anamorphic, this would essentially mean you want to end up with an aspect ratio of something wider than 16:9 for example 2:35 scope. Well the first issue is - in video, as I said above theres no camera or codec that can shoot 2:35.

But basically you have two options to do it.

OPTION 1 - this is similar to the way the DVX achieves a 16:9 image from its 4:3 sensor in squeeze mode.

Essentially all you do is record DVCProHD 16:9, take into post and add 2:35 bars to the top and bottom and then youre left with a 2:35 scope image - but what you are essentially doing is cutting the image out on the top and bottom. But there is another way to save your vertical resolution.

OPTION 2 - Add an anamorphic lens - Im not sure one exists for 2/3" lenses or use a HD anamorphic converter such as the canon - not even close to the realms of cheap.
Either one will achieve the same result.

So what you are essentially doing is still recording a 16:9 image, but within that image you get the extra data on width - more image. So when you take this image into your DVCProHD timline, it would require you do two things.

First make sure you are using an anamorphic timeline, in FCP very easy, in your project tab locate the clips in your project tab - if you scroll right theres a column thats headed anamorphic, click beside the clips you want anamorphic in this column. Done.

Second, place your black 2:35 scope bars over your sequence, in the same manner as option 1. You will then resize your image to fit. And done.

The difference in this second option is this, your lens/adapter put more info on the width part of your image, so when horizontally stretched from 16:9 to 2:35 its a complete anamorphic image AND you keep all of your vertical resolution.

If thats a little unclear - let me know, and Ill try again.
 
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