Changing aspect ratio in post

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nitrouspro

Member
We recently shot a feature on a Panasonic DVX 100A. It was shot using an aspect ratio of 4:3, as it needed to be matched as best as possible to footage shot @ 4:3, 26 years ago by others. In post, the FCP editor we hired took it upon himself to change ALL the footage to 16:9 wide-screen. The result is a low res looking unsatisfactory fuzzy image on all the footage.
The same editor is now telling me that it will take 3-4 days to convert it back to the original 4:3. Another editor is telling me "that it's no big deal" to change it back. Obviously, I want the footage to be changed back to it's original 4:3 clear/sharp image, but don't know who to listen to. It's probably also quite clear that I am not an editor. Any comments or advice will be much appreciated.
 
I wouldn't change it back as it'll only make it look worse, unless he's going to go back to using the original 4:3 footage.

And don't use this editor again if he's taking it upon himself to convert footage to different aspect ratios.
 
Yes, you need the original footage. His requirement of 3-4 days sounds fishy. It doesn't sound like you want to go 16:9, but if you do, this may help you get started.
 
Thanks for the replies! So in order to make it right, an editor has to revert back to the original unconverted clips, and basically start over? That doesn't sound like "No big deal" to me, as the one editor told me. Ignorance is not bliss.(my editorial prowess)
 
nitrouspro said:
Thanks for the replies! So in order to make it right, an editor has to revert back to the original unconverted clips, and basically start over? That doesn't sound like "No big deal" to me, as the one editor told me. Ignorance is not bliss.(my editorial prowess)
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It depends on what he did. Get a copy of the project file and share it, along with the original clips, with the new editor.
 
If you were using an HD camera you would not have this problem, I'm sorry to say this but I must be honest DVX100's should have the plug removed as it is on life support. It was a great camera, but it's time to move on to better technology.
 
Cieloent said:
If you were using an HD camera you would not have this problem, I'm sorry to say this but I must be honest DVX100's should have the plug removed as it is on life support. It was a great camera, but it's time to move on to better technology.
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This is an ignorant statement. There are still viable uses for both Standard Definition and the 4:3 aspect ratio.
 
Jordan_S said:
So you're saying that what the editor did was acceptable because they're using a DVX, a camera that still sells for $2500 new?
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Please do not base something on price, as I can give many analogies to debunk this way of thinking. No I am not saying it is acceptable, but any new YOUNG editor has already been introduced into the HD world and 9 times out of 10 that is the reason this mistake was made.

It is good to know all formats but SD is basically on Life support which is why I am telling people to just upgrade to Better/Newer technology especially at the cost that is less expensive than a 5+ year old camera that's lacking HD.




subtleinspiration said:
This is an ignorant statement. There are still viable uses for both Standard Definition and the 4:3 aspect ratio.
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Nothing ignorant, maybe you just don't understand. The only thing ignorant is Old time directors and users hanging on to a dead technology. 4:3 was an aspect ratio created for standard televisions. How many people do you know that DO NOT have an HD television? Ok, secondly for broadcasting your work online you can never compare the quality of an SD signal to an HD one it's no where close.

I can keep going on and on but let me stop derailing this thread. While the Dvx-100 was an awesome camera, it's time has gone and there is simply better more affordable technology out there.
 
Thanks for the additional replies. I do own a HVX 200, but specifically used my DVX, as we needed to integrate old (26 years) footage to blend with the current story line, and footage. BTW this is a childrens feature, that will probably be viewed on a small bedroom set or computer monitor.
 
nitrouspro said:
Thanks for the additional replies. I do own a HVX 200, but specifically used my DVX, as we needed to integrate old (26 years) footage to blend with the current story line, and footage. BTW this is a childrens feature, that will probably be viewed on a small bedroom set or computer monitor.
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+1 I failed to state that this would be the only other reason as well, if it were to tie in old footage shot in that format. Regardless my opinion still stands on how I feel about the Dvx, and no further replies from me to derail your thread.

In order for it to look the best possible the editor would basically need to recut the entire project, so yes that's something BIG

Good Luck with that and in the future hire someone with more experience.
 
Cieloent said:
Please do not base something on price[...]
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You missed my point. Even if they had shot using a cell phone, the editor should not have unilaterally decided to change the aspect ratio.

Cieloent said:
[...]any new YOUNG editor has already been introduced into the HD world and 9 times out of 10 that is the reason this mistake was made[...]
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It was not a mistake that "was made." He erred by not consulting anyone. Furthermore—based on the reported results—he blundered by changing the aspect ratio in a way that severely degraded the quality of the footage. Moreover, he completely dismissed the fact that they were attempting to match older footage!
 
Cieloent said:
I can keep going on and on but let me stop derailing this thread. While the Dvx-100 was an awesome camera, it's time has gone and there is simply better more affordable technology out there.
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SD is not going anywhere anytime soon. The DVX is still a fantastic camera and has a place in today's production landscape.

Regardless, the use of a DVX had nothing to do with the editor unnecessarily changing the aspect ratio.
 
Cieloent said:
Nothing ignorant, maybe you just don't understand. The only thing ignorant is Old time directors and users hanging on to a dead technology. 4:3 was an aspect ratio created for standard televisions. How many people do you know that DO NOT have an HD television? Ok, secondly for broadcasting your work online you can never compare the quality of an SD signal to an HD one it's no where close.

.
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Ummm....just everyone I know. Maybe I just have a 'less rich' class of friends
that can't afford to spend 5 to 8 hundred dollars on a FREAKIN TV SET!
So yeah, there are a lot of people out there with SD sets still, believe it or not,
especially in this crappy economy we have right now.
 
alaskacameradude said:
Ummm....just everyone I know. Maybe I just have a 'less rich' class of friends
that can't afford to spend 5 to 8 hundred dollars on a FREAKIN TV SET!
So yeah, there are a lot of people out there with SD sets still, believe it or not,
especially in this crappy economy we have right now.
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http://www.circuitcity.com/applicat...y_slc.asp?Lprice=100&Hprice=199.99&CatId=3647

Take your pic, they have Millions of tvs for less than $200..... Heck you can find HDTVs less than $100...... So I seriously have no idea what you are talking about :thumbsup:
 
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Oh yeah, 15"-19" off-brand TVs..what a steal there, Cieloent.

What you've posted so far in this thread doesn't make you look very good.
 
subtleinspiration said:
Oh yeah, 15"-19" off-brand TVs..what a steal there, Cieloent.

What you've posted so far in this thread doesn't make you look very good.
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Look good? I easily stated facts regarding HDTVs that could be bought for less than $200, now you say they are off brand and less than 19".

So it just goes full circle into what I am saying, there are only a couple of tv manufacturers around the world which develop ALL tvs, companies put their stamp on them but they are all mostly coming from the same place.

Now if you are getting your material broadcasted it wouldn't even matter right..... You can easily buy 24" Monitors with digital connections as well for less than $200. The excuse that you cannot afford an HDTV is simply absurd.


Things never seem to change around these forums with some people so I will gladly remove myself from this thread, good luck with trying to fix your footage and to the other members do some research and go HD

*Apologies for derailing this thread and if anyone felt any kind of disrespect, I just was trying to point my point of view on how I see things.
Thank You*
 
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