How can I change from HD to SD and avoid squishing the image?

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Level 3

723 points

How can I change from HD to SD and avoid squishing the image?

I have some HD video that I want to export as SD. Whatever option I chose to do so, Crop, Fit to Size or Letterbox (exporting to MPEG4) they all end up the same with the subjects looking as though they have been onl prolonged diets.

What am I doing wrong?

2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Oct 4, 2010 1:20 PM

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Answer 1

Patricia W Author

Level 3

723 points

Oct 4, 2010 2:12 PM in response to Patricia W

I found something that works which is using an SD sequence and the Motion filter to change the size. However, the way I read the documentation I should have been able to do it when I exported it.

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Answer 2

Oct 4, 2010 3:07 PM in response to Patricia W

You should try exporting as Anamorphic.

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Answer 3

Patricia W Author

Level 3

723 points

Oct 4, 2010 5:59 PM in response to stuckfootage

I don't want anamorphic (doesn't that use letterboxing?) I want a regular 4 by 3 aspect ratio.

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Answer 4

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,819 points

Oct 4, 2010 7:50 PM in response to Patricia W

All HD is widescreen. If you want to make it 4:3, you have to put it into a 4:3 sequence and cut off the left and right sides. Or letterbox it. Or leave it widescreen.

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Answer 5

Patricia W Author

Level 3

723 points

Oct 4, 2010 7:54 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

Tom. I understand that ... my question was the how not the what. I was using a 16:9 sequence and I tried to use the export as MP4 options which specified I could crop, letterbox etc and they had no effect. I eventually found out that I could use the motion video filter and a 4:3 sequence to do what I wanted but I do not know why I couldn't use the export options instead.

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Answer 6

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,819 points

Oct 4, 2010 7:56 PM in response to Patricia W

That's not work the export function is for. If you want 4:3 media you have to make it 4:3 before you export it.

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Answer 7

Oct 4, 2010 10:43 PM in response to Patricia W

Patricia W wrote:
anamorphic (doesn't that use letterboxing?)

No, it's a way to create a true 16:9 aspect ratio in SD
without squishing or letterboxing or cropping.

I want a regular 4 by 3 aspect ratio.

Just guessing here: you're using Export Using QuickTime Conversion,
and in the Size section, you have the option of preserving the aspect ratio
(of the image, not the SD frame) using either Letterbox or Crop.

Make sure you have the Dimensions set to 4:3.

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Answer 8

Patricia W Author

Level 3

723 points

Oct 6, 2010 9:25 AM in response to stuckfootage

When you say make sure you have the dimensions set to 4:3 do you mean to create a new sequence with 4:3 dimensions and use the motion adjustment to make the image fit ... which is what I did eventually and worked ... or something else?

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