Project Settings

SpaceBoy64 · Post by **SpaceBoy64** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 12:23 pm

On my last project, my first using version 8, I started working in the default project settings, NTSC D1 Widescreen, 16:9. I figured the aspect ratio would be the same as 1280 x 720 HD, but it was not. When I changed it, my framing was zoomed in much more, although it looked the same in the work view. I had to guess how much I had to change the zoom setting. Is there a way to reset the work view so that it's correct?

Is there a way to change pixel aspect ratio? How do I know my image won't look squished or stretched on TV?

Also, the frame rate was set to 24 fps. not what I wanted. When I changed it, my animation became out of sync with the V.O. track, so I had to change it back. Luckily I was able to change the settings in the QuickTime save options.

Another curiosity I discovered was when I created a new group folder, it's position is not at 0,0,0. It's off by 0.0299 on the Y axis, so anything I put into it gets moved off center. How can I change the default position?

Thanks!

slowtiger · Post by **slowtiger** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 12:46 pm

Use the correct dimensions right from the start, like 1280 x 720. Same is recommended for fps. The file doesn't become any bigger because of that.

Since you use a video editor afterwards, it's no problem at all to have it render out any smaller versions later.

AS only renders square pixels. Anything else is your video editor's job.

That group folder thing sounds weird, anybody else having this problem?

SpaceBoy64 · Post by **SpaceBoy64** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 6:58 pm

slowtiger wrote:Use the correct dimensions right from the start, like 1280 x 720. Same is recommended for fps. The file doesn't become any bigger because of that.

I tried that with no luck. I made it default to the HD dimensions. I started a new project, but the work window dimensions no longer match the rendered dimensions. The video safe lines are not correct. In 1280 x 720 the edge of frame is actually the outer "safe" line.

slowtiger wrote: AS only renders square pixels. Anything else is your video editor's job.

If this is true, it's a real problem. Is AS compensating for this in any way? It should be rendering different dimensions for square pixels. For example, for NTSC D1 it should be 720 x 540 for square pixels. If it actually renders 720 x 486 in square pixels, the picture will be scaled wrong.

slowtiger · Post by **slowtiger** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 8:04 pm

The video safe lines are not correct. In 1280 x 720 the edge of frame is actually the outer "safe" line.

This is correct. In the year 2012 we can safely assume that nobody still watches TV on a tube from 1950. Modern digital flatscreens show the whole image.

As for pixel aspect ratio, it's the video editing software's job. If you want any other dimension than what's in the presets, just type it in ...

SpaceBoy64 · Post by **SpaceBoy64** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 9:44 pm

slowtiger wrote:
The video safe lines are not correct. In 1280 x 720 the edge of frame is actually the outer "safe" line.
This is correct. In the year 2012 we can safely assume that nobody still watches TV on a tube from 1950. Modern digital flatscreens show the whole image.

As for pixel aspect ratio, it's the video editing software's job. If you want any other dimension than what's in the presets, just type it in ...

What I'm saying is, the edge of my work view window should be the edge of my render, but it's not. Now, my render is cut off at the video action safe zone. I know this isn't right. It makes it difficult to judge my composition.

Besides, not everyone owns a digital flatscreen yet. I myself still have two tube TVs. But that point is really moot here.

If I choose a preset for HDTV, it should result in a correct output for HDTV. If not, then it's wrong. I will check this to be sure, but I'd like to hear from other people on this. I don't want to hear from an angry client that I screwed up.

slowtiger · Post by **slowtiger** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 11:20 pm

Problem is that "standard" TV dimensions aren't. There's a plethora of different formats, and they're changed from time to time. You can't blame SmithMicro for not including all possible formats.

Instead you should negotiate a format with your client, preferrably within your contract. (That's what I do.)

SpaceBoy64 · Post by **SpaceBoy64** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 12:08 am

slowtiger wrote:Problem is that "standard" TV dimensions aren't. There's a plethora of different formats, and they're changed from time to time. You can't blame SmithMicro for not including all possible formats.

Instead you should negotiate a format with your client, preferrably within your contract. (That's what I do.)

I know there are many different formats, but they don't change once they're established. I'm not blaming Smith Micro for not including all possible formats, but if they provide standard presets, they should at least be correct. All other software I use provide presets, and the ability to customize.

Anyway, a chat with support figured out the problem with the preview window. It was being cut off because my screen resolution is lower than 1280 x 720. viewing the resulting render in another window shows that it rendered everything.

They said they'd get back to me on the pixel aspect ratio.