Apple Final Cut Pro HD (4.5): New Features - Manual (Page 112)

112 Appendix High Definition Video Fundamentals
Downconverting High Definition Video
The method used in downconverting HD video depends on the destination format and
the intentions of the cinematographer or director. Since 16 x 9 images don’t fit within a
4 x 3 frame, some cinematographers shoot widescreen images while protecting for
another aspect ratio. For example, 16 x 9 protected for 4 x 3 will keep the majority of
the action centered within a 4 x 3 portion of the 16 x 9 image. This footage can be
safely cropped for a 4 x 3 version as well as a 16 x 9 version.
Of course, if the aspect ratio of the original and destination formats match, you can
simply scale the original HD video to the destination size.
Letterbox
Original
size Original
aspect ratio Destination
size Destination
aspect ratio Downconversion
method
1920 x 1080 16 x 9 (1.78) 1280 x 720 16 x 9 (1.78) Scale down
1920 x 1080 16 x 9 (1.78) 720 x 480
(anamorphic)
16 x 9 (1.78) Scale down
and squeeze
horizontally
1920 x 1080 16 x 9 (1.78) 720 x 480 4 x 3 (1.33) Letterbox
Crop
Pan and scan
1280 x 720 16 x 9 (1.78) 720 x 480
(anamorphic)
16 x 9 (1.78)
squeezed Scale down
and squeeze
horizontally
1280 x 720 16 x 9 (1.78) 720 x 480 4 x 3 (1.33) Letterbox
Crop
Pan and scan
720 to 480
1080 to 480
UP01022.Book Page 112 Tuesday, March 23, 2004 7:32 PM