Choosing format

B

Bryan_Lawler

Well-known member
Okay, I am going to start production in a few weeks on a documentary which will in up on DVD. I would like some input put on if I should use 60i/30p/24p/24pa and if I should edit in 60i or 24p. Also, I would like to have it in widescreen format, so should I leave it in normal or switch to letterbox or squeeze mode?

Here is my thought. I was thinking shooting in 24p or 30p, I don't think that I can edit it in 24p because I think I might have old video to include. So, I think I'll be mixing 60i with the format I chose to film in.

Please share your thoughts.
I am using dvx100b and editing with FCP 4.5.
Thanks!
 
I think what it comes down to as far as what format to shoot in, is what look do you want for the documentary? It'd be best to get some test footage of 30p, and 24p for you to compare with and see which you think will work and look best for your documentary.

You mentioned that your going to be mixing in old video, but that doesn't exclude 24p. It'll be much easier to combine both if you shoot in 24p normal as that allows you to edit in a standard 29.97 timeline. It's the same with 30p, you use a regular timeline. As far as widescreen goes. If you want 16x9 video that will be displayed properly on a widescreen tv, then shoot squeeze. All letterbox does is add black bars on top and bottom of your image, giving it the "widescreen" look when played back on 4:3 tv's.
 
Thanks. I'll look at the difference as I test 30p vs 24p. As far as the widescreen, I have read from some places that it is better to shoot in normal mode even if you want to display in 16x9 and scale the 4:3 video in post or uprise the video. Does shooting in squeeze give you more of an area to work with? And, can it be played back of 4:3 using the same dvd?

thanks.
 
Thats definitly an option as there have been people to say that doing the stretching in post gives off just as good results as shooting in squeeze. What model are you shooting this with? If your shooting with a 100b then squeeze mode is great because you can view the image correctly in the viewfinder. However if your using a 100a the image will be tall and skinny through your viewfinder. It won't effect the picture when displayed on a widescreen tv, but it will look weird through the camera. You can still play back your footage if your displaying on a standard 4:3 tv. The tv will just do what it does to most DVD's and format it so that you can watch it normally but it adds black bars on the top and bottom.
 
I am shooting with the 100b. I have not really shot anything yet with squeeze mode. I wanted to make sure that the viewfinder was acturate. So, I am thinking 24p (or maybe 30p, little less film look but not 60i) and shooting in squeeze mode. Then it fcp I will edit in 16x9.

Thanks for your help. This makes a lot more sense now.
 
Bryan_Lawler said:
. Then it fcp I will edit in 16x9.

Thanks for your help. This makes a lot more sense now.
Click to expand...

yep, just go under your sequence settings and check the box that says anamorphic 16x9.

I'm sure you will, but just make sure to do a test of everything how you want to shoot it, so that way when you go out and shoot for real you won't be surprised by anything.

Glad I was able to help out.
 
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