Apple Final Cut Express 4 - Manual (Page 799)

Chapter 51 Working with Freeze Frames and Still Images 799
IX
SD NTSC pixels are taller than computer pixels and SD PAL pixels are wider than
computer pixels. As a result, a 720 x 480 pixel image looks different (taller) on an NTSC
video monitor than it does on a computer display. For example, if you capture a clip of
video with a globe in the picture, export a frame, and look at this frame in a graphics
application, you’ll see something like this:
The Viewer and the Canvas let you display non-square pixel video correctly on the
computer’s display. You can choose this option by choosing Show As Sq. Pixels from
the Zoom pop-up menu in both windows.
Creating Graphics with the Correct Color Settings for Video
You should be aware that the range of colors that can be displayed on a broadcast
video monitor is much smaller than the range that can be displayed on a computer
display. For this reason, colors that appear bright and clean on NTSC or PAL video can
seem duller when viewed on your computer display.
If you output graphic images with colors that go outside the “legal” range for video, the
colors will appear oversaturated and may “bleed” into other parts of the image. This
distortion can be easily avoided by controlling the palette of colors you use in your
graphics program. As you create the graphics you’ll be outputting to video, resist the
temptation to use the brightest and most saturated shades of color available in your
paint program. When you’re finished with your image, use a video colors filter (if your
program has one) to make sure that all the colors in your image are in the legal
broadcast range for video.
Looks right
on a video monitor
NTSC square vs. non-square pixels example
Looks wrong
on a computer monitor