John Rock
Level 1 (14 points)
Video

Q: Unwanted Letterbox

When I use a pre-existing video (to replace the existing sound) I'm getting a smaller video surrounded by a black band all around even though the original doesn't have this band. THe video file is a full 1280 x 720 with no letterbox. It uses H.264 compression.

 

I don't get the option to use 1280 x 720 in the "Easy Setup" so I'm using 1440 x 1080 for the Sequence, and then I specify 1280 x 720 when I export using quicktime conversion. I'm not specifying any options to preserve aspect ratio at all. Using 1920 x 1080 in Easy Setup doesn't seem to help.

 

I've tried exporting 3 times using slightly differing options (but always 1280 x 720) and I continue to get the letterboxed result. Am I leaving out something I shouldn't leave out or doing something else wrong?

Final Cut Express 4, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Apr 24, 2016 9:45 AM

Close
John Rock

Q: Unwanted Letterbox

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Russ H,Helpful

    Russ H Russ H Apr 24, 2016 12:15 PM in response to John Rock
    Level 7 (21,760 points)
    Quicktime
    Apr 24, 2016 12:15 PM in response to John Rock

    A couple of things:

     

    H.264 files should be converted to AIC in a compression app like Compressor ($50) or MPEG Streamclip (free).

     

    You should be able to specify a sequence's frame size by right clicking the sequence icon and choosing Sequence Settings.

     

    Russ

  • by John Rock,

    John Rock John Rock Apr 24, 2016 12:26 PM in response to Russ H
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Video
    Apr 24, 2016 12:26 PM in response to Russ H

    It did work! Don't know why I didn't have this problem before or even why the AIC worked when the H.264 failed (this time). I promise to read up on codecs - even though it's pretty dry the knowledge should help in my future endeavors.

     

    Unfortunately right-clicking on the Sequence icon only gave me info on the settings, not the option to change them. Maybe I would need the full Final Cut Pro for that?

     

    Anyway thanks! It worked!

  • by Russ H,

    Russ H Russ H Apr 24, 2016 12:55 PM in response to John Rock
    Level 7 (21,760 points)
    Quicktime
    Apr 24, 2016 12:55 PM in response to John Rock

    Hi John.

     

    Here's what I get by right-clicking the sequence icon.

     

    Screen shot 2016-04-24 at 3.48.51 PM.png

     

    Glad to hear it's getting sorted.

     

    Russ

  • by John Rock,

    John Rock John Rock Apr 24, 2016 1:38 PM in response to Russ H
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Video
    Apr 24, 2016 1:38 PM in response to Russ H

    I get that too, and I can actually CAN change the format if I click on Settings first and THEN click on the Load Sequence Preset, so that's probably what you meant.

     

    Screen shot 2016-04-24 at 4.32.34 PM.png

     

    Still don't get a 1280 x 720 option, so I just configure that with during the Export Process. Thank you again. It worked!