Zoomed Widescreen Background for Fullscreen Video

[Bobby]

As most of my work is old video tapes, they are 4:3 fullscreen. I generally do each chapter project in 4:3 and then assemble them into a 16:9 project. I have experimented with 16:9 backgrounds for the side bars, using some from here, and often just a colored background that I vary in color over the project.

Today I was playing around with the effect I often see on TV, where they take the same video as in the 4:3 area, and just zoom it to fill the width and Gaussian blur it a bit, along with some change in contrast and intensity. Is there a name for that effect?

I can make it look like I want, but just not sure if I like it or not. Anyone have any experience doing this?

[Steve Grisetti]

It's sort of the opposite of pan & scan -- the old method they used to use to get Cinemascope movies to fit on TV.

[JohnnyO]

Bobby. I have done this effect on occasion. Besides the gaussean blur, you can try Black and white, play with the saturation and contrast and intensity as you said. You may also want to play with the opacity.

[Bobby]

Thanks JohnnyO - but what did you think of it? Good? Worthwhile using? Audience hated it? Short stuff only? Tell me...

[JohnnyO]

Bobby

I thought it looked pretty cool. I would definitely use that technique again. My audience, which is basically family members made no comments on this technique at all. But just to be fair, they don't really comment much on my techniques.

Go ahead and try it. You won't be disappointed.

[Bobby]

...But just to be fair, they don't really comment much on my techniques...

Yeah, mine too. Thanks...

[momoffduty]

I saw a music video with this effect. Tried to find it again and no luck. Looked good for the 3 min music video and not sure it I would want to see it on a full length feature. Would have to see it and decide. If I find the video, will post the link.