Safe area generator

Segarza

Segarza

Well-known member
Does anyone know if such a device exists? (Safe area generator or matte generator). (I know it does, but haven't seen a portable version...most of what I've found is rack mountable). For example if i'm shooting Squeezed mode, or anamorphic, a device that would go between the camera and external monitor that would generate a 4:3 safe area overlay, so I could protect for 4:3. Or the other way around, would like to shoot at 4:3 protecting for 16:9 letterbox.
 
Re: Safe area generator

Hi Salvador:

I'm not aware of a portable device, but I know many on this site have put together their own overlays that fit over the viewer (as simple as a clear gel with marks on it) etc...

I use a Panasonic TC-7WMS1 LCD monitor that is switchable from 4:3 to 16:9 ect... that mounts right to my DVX100A. I know that Century Optics has an eyepiece adapter ($350) that gives you a true 16x9 image, but that's very impracticle, heavy and pricey.
 
Re: Safe area generator

Years ago, the old Mitchell eyepieces had a thing called a 'pumpkin' that showed where the safe areas were. You could see outside the frame and prepare for when the actor (or microphone) would enter the framed area. It would be nice to have that overscan ability on our modern cameras.

I haven't needed it yet, but I'm planning on shooting in 4:3 and cropping to 16:9 in post using a clear gel with a 'pumpkin' marked on it.
 
Re: Safe area generator


I'm interested in being able to adjust for example the safe margins, maybe even shooting with both 16:9 and 4:3 safe margin overlays on at the same time. Recently shot a commercial with a Sony F900, and felt very comfortable having both at the same time. It's very helpful when you have to protect for both aspect ratios.

I've been shooting letterbox mode with the DVX100, but I just hate having to lose the the bottom and top image areas. It would be great if the LCD did in fact show letterbox (for composition) but the camera actually recorded the whole 4:3 image (more possibilities for post). You could mask later on in post, maybe even correct (vertically anyways) for framing errors.

I know Horita has a matte generator that does just this, but it's kind of bulky and I don't think it runs on batteries.
 
Re: Safe area generator

One thing that was great about the XL1s, it had the 16:9 guides, which did exactly what we're wanting :)
 
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