Apple Final Cut Pro 7 - Manual (Page 1180)

Frame Size Chart for Creating Graphics
Use the chart below to determine the frame size you need for creating graphics. For
example, if you’re working in DV PAL (which has a frame size of 720 x 576), your graphic
should have a frame size of 768 x 576 to look correct on an SD video monitor.
Use graphics with this frame
size The video sequence frame size
is
If you are using this format
720 x 547 720 x 486 CCIR 601 NTSC 4:3 1
853 x 486 720 x 486 CCIR 601 NTSC 16:9 anamorphic
720 x 540 720 x 480 DV NTSC 4:3
853 x 480 720 x 480 DV NTSC 16:9 anamorphic
768 x 576 720 x 576 CCIR 601/DV PAL 4:3
1024 x 576 720 x 576 CCIR 601/DV PAL 16:9
anamorphic
1280 x 720 1280 x 720 720p HD
1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 1080i or 1080p HD
1 Refers to ITU-R BT.601.
Important: Final Cut Pro uses slightly different square-pixel image dimensions than other
video and still-image applications. For the most accurate results, you can avoid creating
and converting square-pixel images by using a graphics application that supports
non-square pixel aspect ratios. These applications allow you to create and preview your
graphics at their native resolution.
Pixel Aspect Ratios in SD Video Signals Versus Computer Displays
SD video images use pixels with a non-square (rectangular) aspect ratio, whereas computer
displays represent images using a grid of pixels with a square aspect ratio.
Computer display Square pixels
Digital NTSC video Non-square pixels
1180 Chapter 70 Working with Freeze Frames and Still Images