720p projects: 960 x 720p vs. 1280 x 720p

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Level 1

40 points

720p projects: 960 x 720p vs. 1280 x 720p

I created a small project and manually selected a resolution of 960 x 720p. I finished the project and exported the master file. The result was a video with a 16:9 aspect ratio.

Then I thought about it and realized that 960 x 720 is not nearly the same ratio as 1280 x 720. So I went back in and modified the settings for the project from 960 x 720p to 1280 x 720p, and exported the master file again. The resulting video was also 16:9.

What's up with this? Why would project settings of 960 x 720p yield the same aspect ratio as 1280 x 720p project settings? It doesn't make sense at all, but I'm sure there must be a relatively simple explanation.

Also, when I compare the quality of the two videos, I'd swear that the 1280 x 720p video is clearer than the 960 x 720p video.

Note: If it matters, the footage I'm using in the timeline is 1920 x 1080i. I'm putting it in a 720p timeline because my final product will be 720p.

iMac (27-inch, Late 2013), OS X Mavericks (10.9.1), i7 3.5 GHz, 32MB RAM, 4GB NVIDIA

Posted on Feb 22, 2014 12:02 AM

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Answer 1

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,816 points

Feb 22, 2014 12:05 AM in response to JDLee

960x720 is an anamorphic form of 1280x720. There is no such display format as 960x720. All HD is widescreen, usually 16:9.

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Answer 2

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,816 points

Feb 22, 2014 12:22 AM in response to JDLee

As your media's not 960x720, which is a format used by some cameras such as DVCPRO HD, it's probably better to use 1280x720.

Are you using that to reframe your 1080 media?

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Answer 3

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,816 points

Feb 22, 2014 6:27 PM in response to JDLee

Yes, that works.

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Answer 4

JDLee Author

Level 1

40 points

Feb 22, 2014 12:42 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Hi Tom--

Yes, I'm doing that because once I bring my 1080i footage into the 1280 x 720p timeline, I set Spatial Conform to Type: None. This gives me the full resolution of the 1080i footage and allows me in effect "zoom in" without losing resolution (or at least that's my understanding from a tutorial). I'm guessing that's called reframing?

I'd really appreciate any input you might have about doing that.

(I used to edit in 1080i timelines, but I think it was you who suggested that because my final product is going to be progressive, I should edit in a progressive timeline even though my footage is 1080i. So I decided to go to 720p because it allows the reframing and is progressive.)

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Answer 5

JDLee Author

Level 1

40 points

Feb 22, 2014 6:12 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

Hi Tom--

I was hoping you'd check back in on my last post in this thread and tell me if what I'm doing (which I guess is called reframing) makes sense. I mean, does it work the way I'm doing it. Thanks!

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Answer 6

JDLee Author

Level 1

40 points

Feb 22, 2014 12:18 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Hi Tom--

Okay, thanks. Does it make sense that the resulting video from the project would look better once I switched the project from 960 x 720p to 1280 x 720p (using modify settings)?

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Answer 7

JDLee Author

Level 1

40 points

Feb 22, 2014 7:21 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

Thanks! I had asked if there was a way to do something like that many times in different forums, and everyone had always said there wasn't. If not for that tutorial, I still wouldn't know.

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