Export Dimensions
by Mike Sussman
on
Jun 25, 2008 at 7:40:51 pm
I thought I knew this topic well enough but a recent situation has me wanting to double check what I thought and expand a bit.
We're on Avid using DV format (720x480 non-square, right?). I export from Avid all the time for importing into After Effects (into a DV comp) and haven't had problems. I recently exported from Avid for importing into Sorenson and my video looked too wide.
Question 1) Do I need to use different export settings for clips that end up in AE than for clips that end up in Sorenson, r directly to WMV or AVI where it's square pixels only. At first I didn't think so but I'm second guessing myself based on AE using non-square pixels in a DV comp, as opposed to Sorenson which (apparently) doesn't differentiate between non-square and square pixels.
Question 2) You'll notice I didn't even mention what my previous export dimension settings were. Good, we'll forget the past. What should my export dimension settings be in Avid if I'm editing DV format in Avid and I intend to import the exported clip into After Effects for use in a DV comp (which will then be exported from AE back into Avid again). I know the answer should be obvious but I'm just checking.
2b) Depending on the answer to question 1, what would the dimensions be if the end result were going to be imported into Sorenson or directly into some other square pixel only file format?
Question 3) Same situations as question 2... what about the "Display Aspect Ratio" setting? I had mine previously set to Native but now I'd like a more complete description of what this setting actually does. In particular, does it make a difference depending on where you'll be using the exported clips (AE, Sorenson, directly to WMV or AVI)?
Re: Export Dimensions by Jon Zanone on Jun 26, 2008 at 10:37:39 am
I'm not so sure I can clarify as much as muddy the waters....
When we had XPress Pro,we exported SD at 720X480, 4:3 display. Our ultimate destination is DVD.
On Media Composer, we shoot the majority 16:9, DVCPro 25/50. Avid settings are native, 16:9 display. I used the dimensions of 864x486 in Sorenson, and life seemed good.
However, after giving some footage to a 3d artist, he kept saying the dimensions were 853X480. I brought it into AE, and sure enough, my footage properties showed up as 853X480. I'm using AE 6.5, but I just ordered CS3. Maybe that will clear things up....
My DVD's and .wmv's seem to work fine - I've had no complaints from customers (other than the 3d artist).
I'm not sure what's going on. I've got a pretty heavy workload right now, and I'm just trying to muddle through until I get a break (at this rate, it's gonna' be Christmas...). Hopefully I can solve the case of the missing pixels. Life was so much simpler when all I had to do was give out VHS tape.....
If you find out more, please post.
"So you want to throw out the old you - but the old you is old enough to know it won't make it better"
Del Amitri - "Make it Better"
