Converting 16:9 Footage to play in 4:3

well there are 2 ways to do this; crop the sides or letterbox. Which do you want to use? You can setup a preset in compressor to do either

You select your sequence with the X letter then open File, Export, Using Quicktime conversion, you save the file and when the other window pops up in the size option you use the 4:3 option.
Be sure to convert your file to the same video codec you are using.

Hope this helps.

https://www.me.com/ro/danielsametz/Galleries/100029/4-3%20option/web.jpg?ver=130 15075890001

Message was edited by: Chocorito

Hi all
Well, maybe this is one of those differences between female and male brains 🙂... I'm still having a hard time figuring out how best to do these 16:9 to 4:3 conversions myself. I have FCP studi 3, so no problem there. I'm starting out with 1080, 30p .MP4. I'd like to end up in FCP editing in a 23.98 timeline, 4:3 with the final output to viewable DVD. I know it sounds crazy...
Bringing the MP4 source material directly into the timeline means long renders for every little edit. So I've been using MPEG Streamclip (love it) to convert to .mov, but I'd like to also change the aspect ratio from 16:9 to 4:3 by cropping the left and right frame edges.
So I need help with all the correct settings in compressor (can I bring the MP4 files into Compressor or do they need to be converted 1st?, please be very detailed as I'm just about brain dead right now), especially for the crop amounts on each side, as well as the best transcode for minimal loss of quality.

Thanks so much in advance for any help getting me beyond this barrier.

Yes, you can use Compressor for converting MP4 to apple Proress 422 LT at 4:3.

You have to drag your file to the compressor

http://gallery.me.com/danielsametz#100052/Paso%2001&bgcolor=black

and then instead of grabbing the proress setting to the video on the top you right click it and duplicate it. Then it´s going to be in personal folder (rename it as you please)

http://gallery.me.com/danielsametz#100052/Paso%2002&bgcolor=black

You click the new codec and then you can see in the inspector rectangle than you can change the settings.

http://gallery.me.com/danielsametz#100052/Paso%2003&bgcolor=black

In the small rectangles in the compressor in the top you click the second one from left to righ, when it says adjustments you click it, then you can change the FPS to 29,97 or whatever you like.

http://gallery.me.com/danielsametz#100052/Paso%2004&bgcolor=black

Then you click on the 5th square from left to righ or the second from right to left and then it says origin insertion or something like that, sorry but I have it in spanish, it´s gonna say personalized and you have to change it to 4x3

http://gallery.me.com/danielsametz#100052/Paso%2005&bgcolor=black

Then in the bottom of the inspector you save your new configured codec and drag it all the way to the video in the top and click send it

http://gallery.me.com/danielsametz#100052/Paso%2006&bgcolor=black

Now you have a video in 4:3 that is not stretched on the top and bottom with the right 4:3 conversion, you loose information on the sides so you have to be careful.

Message was edited by: Chocorito

The other way is to use the Mask Shape filter in Final Cut and adjust it until it looks 4:3, the problem is that you do have to render it even if it´s Prores LT.

you can actually apply the preset without duplicating it and then by doubleclicking on it in the batch window, make adjustments in the inspector window and you can then save these adjustments. Also, it's a good idea to see exactly what your results will be in the preview window. You can also mark an in and an out in the preview window to do a test of just a small section of your file to make sure your results are what you want.

Keep your project 16:9. Convert all your material to an editable format like ProRes (422LT). Once you have done so, edit away. Export a quicktime your final version (keep current settings), load it into compressor, then choose a DVD format that is appropriate for the duration of your material. In DVDSP, make sure it knows your original material is 16:9. The DVD player will letterbox it if the monitor it is playing on doesn't support 16:9. Otherwise it will display full screen.

Patrick