Need help in creating anamorphic DVD

Sledgeweb

Active member
Hello,

My DVX arrives tomorrow, and I'd like to do some quick tests, including making some anamorphic DVDS.

My current workflow has been... shoot 4:3 and capture into Premiere Pro 1.5 on a 4:3 project. Then, add a matte on top to letterbox it to widescreen ratio. Export as MPEG-2, and import into Encore still as 4:3. Then burn to DVD. Using this method, the letterboxing is part of the video signal. When played on a widescreen TV, you will get letterbox on top and bottom (from video source) and then the bars on the sides (because it is 4:3). Obviously, this isn't appealing. On my TV, I can put it on ZOOM mode to get rid of the side bars.

What I would like to try, is shoot 4:3, then import into premiere as a 4:3 or 16:9 project and CROP the top and bottom off (instead of letterboxing). Then create an anamorphic widescreen DVD so that it will AUTOMATICALLY letterbox itself on a 4:3 TV, but play full screen on a widescreen TV. I know I lose some of my resolution by cropping, but I do this anyways with letterboxing and zooming.

So, I would like to conduct some tests to compare the two methods, but I'm not exactly sure of the right steps? If I'm shooting 4:3 24pa in DVX, what pre-set do I use in premiere to capture the video?
 
I would open a 16:9 project and import the footage as .9 PAR footage so its not stretched and then just scale it up to fit the monitor (should be around 136%) Then export as an mpeg 2 or avi as 720 by 480 at 1.2 PAR that should give you teh 16:9 you are looking for. When making the dvd make sure the dvd settings are set for a 16:9 dvd and then once burnt the video should play back as full widescreen on a 16:9 monitor and then the dvd player will automatically letterbox it when its played on a 4:3 monitor
 
Back
Top