Pixel aspect ratio challenges (watch sample Vimeo clip)

S

SantaCruzMichael

Well-known member
Hello all,
Can anyone clarify for me the proper export technique to get pixels that are actually square.
I'm dealing with 720pN footage in FCP 5.1 (also tried FCP 7 with same results).
I've tried a dozen different export methods. I tried changing the Pixel Aspect Ratio for the sequence to square. Also tried exporting 960x720 and scaling to 1280x720 in Quicktime Pro.
Every export looks fine in Quicktime, presumably because Quicktime is automatically correcting for square pixels.

But when I upload, the image gets squeezed and looks like this:

http://www.vimeo.com/7730543

I have been going around in circles on this, to no avail.
Can anybody help?

_Michael
 
Just set the export to be 1280x720. Specifically what steps are you using to export from FCP? Are you using Compressor, QT conversion or QT movie? What codec? Etc.,.


-A
 
I have tried all three of those export methods, tried mp4, h264, the works. That squeezed video on Vimeo was 1280x720 when I uploaded it.

Should I change the pixel aspect ration in the Sequence Settings before exporting? I tried that at one point on the FCP 5 machine, had to render the timeline, and it still appeared online with the wrong aspect ratio. Haven't tried it on the FCP 7 machine yet.

This issue is the last hurdle holding me back from posting a whole bunch of content online (this wave sailing video was just for fun).

Pixel Aspect Ratio has been my enemy for so long, and I don't like having enemies.

Any input would be awesome.
_Michael
 
Create a new sequence with square pixels, correct codec, height, width that you want to export to.
Then embed one sequence inside the other - ie drag your old sequence as if it were a mov clip onto your new sequence.
then Render
then Export Quicktime Movie (select self contained)
 
Last edited:
That's very strange. I just uploaded a DVCPro HD 1080i60 clip (which is also un-square pixels) to Vimeo and it is displayed properly in 16x9. Maybe try trashing your FCP preferences.


-A
 
Thanks for the input!
Well, I upgraded my OS, and also upgraded from FCP 5 to FCP 7, so maybe that will help. I figure the DVCproHD codecs that came with FCP 5 can't be as robust as the more recent ones.
I'll try all these export techniques this evening.
 
SantaCruzMichael said:
Thanks for the input!
Well, I upgraded my OS, and also upgraded from FCP 5 to FCP 7, so maybe that will help. I figure the DVCproHD codecs that came with FCP 5 can't be as robust as the more recent ones.
I'll try all these export techniques this evening.
Click to expand...

Have you tried it I have the exact same problem here with FCP 6 with a 960x720 DVCPRO HD sequence.

Also I reimported the file into FCP and it plays correctly, but not in quictime the file is still stretched!
 
the best is to leave the sequence as is (960x720) and in compressor change the size setting to HD 1280 x 720 and voilà ! ( because in final cut it is previewed as it is in 1280 by 720
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top