Re: DVD PAL 16:9 Workflow (par,reso,etc..)

The client wants the letterboxes on the final output, and wants to get 720x576 final output

Just to make confirm: The client wants a 4:3 final output with letterbox? It's pretty common to output 16:9 anamorphic, which also is 720x576. The difference is the pixel aspect ratio, which is 1.07 vs. 1.42. But if it in fact is 4:3 with letterbox, here's how I would suggest your workflow:

1. Import your footage and interpret it just as it is: 1920x1080, non-interlaced, square pixels (and whatever frame rate the footage is.. probably 25fps).

2. Edit your piece in a composition that is the same: 1920x1080, square pixels, etc.

3. When your done, drag that composition into a new composition which is set to regular PAL: 720x576, PAR 1.07, and scale the footage down to fit (I think it's 40%).

4. Render.

There is more than one way to do it, but that's how I do it anyway.

Should I turn on PAR correction display in order to see what the client will see on a TV connected to the DVD that contains the final material ?

Yes, in the final comp you're rendering. This is only for previewing, and doesn't affect the render.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards,
Eric