NTSC 480x720 3:2 Footage -- What Settings to Edit at for DVD?

A

armadillo

Well-known member
Hi, if I understand right, I should edit at 720x? or 1080x? for eventual best results on DVD or HDTV.

The thing is, when I turn 480 to 1080, then 720 goes to 1620 to maintain the same proportions and that doesn't seem to be a standard resolution setting. It's typically 1080x1440 or 1080x1920...

I get similar problems with 720x1080...

Some of the footage at 480x720 isn't great in terms of resolution, but I don't want my titles to be that mushy and pixelated in the final product.

What settings would you suggest editing at in FCP?

I am currently working at 1080x1620, but I am afraid I am wasting my time and will have to do another conversion at the end.

Thanks.
 
If the original footage is 720x480 NTSC, and your final output is to 720x480 NTSC DVD, then it makes sense to edit at 720x480.
 
Thanks for the replies.

I may have been in error with my original numbers (will clarify below).

I think I need to do some sort of expansion in editing for the following reasons.

- I have made some good hi-res titles to apply to the footage, but when I shrink the titles down to fit the 720x480 clip and simply export the sequence as a MOV file, the titles are mushy and blocky by virtue of being shrunk down so much. I get the feeling they demand a better resolution.

- The footage wasn't filmed on something as good as a Canon XL1. It was a strict consumer grade old handicam. When I sampled the tapes as NTSC DV, the sequence automatically showed up as 480x720. The aspect ratio looks right in the window, so I never questioned these numbers.

I know I can't take low-res footage and magically increase the resolution. But is there an effective way to increase the resolution of the final output to accommodate the better resolution titles?

If I export a current 480x720 sequence with titles and play it back at "fit to computer screen" the footage and titles look pretty lousy...

One of the reasons I have brought this up is that if I send a clip to a HD Motion Project, expand the footage to fit the window and apply HD titles / effects, it all looks pretty good.

However, if I do all of this at the original resolution, even the titles end up being fairly ineffective.

Thanks again for the time and tips.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top