Shooting 4:3, masking, anamorphic in post

T

toddburch

Active member
All,

Hope this question hasn't been asked before--I couldn't find it anywhere:

I was reviewing some squeeze mode footage today and was displeased with the aliasing/pixelization of the low-res image (although the color reproduction was EXCELLENT!).

I know that squeeze mode is lower resolution than 4:3, but which gives better image quality when your target is a 16:9 DVD:

1) Shooting 4:3, applying a 16:9 mask in post, and then going to anamorphic in post or
2) Shooting squeeze and staying anormphic?

Maybe there's no visible difference at all?

I'm asking because I'm not happy with the pixelization of squeeze mode (see my Pacific Coast Highway grabs in the frame grab forum). I don't want to use anamorphic due to its focusing/focal length restraints but still want a decent looking 16:9 DVD.

Thanks,
Todd
 
Re: Shooting 4:3, masking, anamorphic in post

The answer to your question is, it depends on how you re-size it. In the tests I've done, it's extremely close quality, either stretched letterbox or squeeze mode. But squeeze mode should have a tiny edge in quality. But if you use some sort of super-duper fancy resizing program, that might shift the quality scale over to the letterbox side.

For most uses, staying squeeze is probably the best of the choices you mention.
 
Re: Shooting 4:3, masking, anamorphic in post

Hey Todd Burch,

I just saw your images from the PCH, and thought I would mention this. I'm sure that it's not the issue, but just checking...there were a lot of noise on those images, and you said you were displeased...I was just wondering if you had the "Gain" button set to "L", because if you had it set to "H", that makes the image much grainier. Anyways, I'm sure that you probably had it set to "L", but in case you didn't, try that, I'm sure it will make a world of difference.
 
Re: Shooting 4:3, masking, anamorphic in post

Smier33,

Yes the gain was at 0db...I thought there was alot of noise!! Hmm...could it be that the onboard ND filters add noise?

Hmm this has me worried now--maybe I should capture uncompressed and then use Cinema Tools to Remove the 2:3:3:2 pulldown? Would that help instead of using the DV/DVCPRO codec?

-Todd
 
Re: Shooting 4:3, masking, anamorphic in post

Yes, everything was shot 24PA in squeeze mode with the 1/64 ND filter and a clean 4x4 polarizing filter.

Noise was at 0 db, OIS was off, and all features were on manual (as they should be).

Capture was via DV/DVCPRO codec into Final Cut Pro.

-Todd
 
Re: Shooting 4:3, masking, anamorphic in post

Hmm...odd...

And you manually white balanced? (But that really shouldn't affect the grain on the image)
 
Re: Shooting 4:3, masking, anamorphic in post

Yes I manually white balanced on a sheet of paper. Odd...might be a scene setting, I'll look into it.

-Todd
 
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