Widescreen Project

[momoffduty]

I need help in figuring the numbers out. (Overthinking again) Usually I work in SD format and the flow is as follows:

SD workflow
AE - NTSC DV 720x480 .9 aspect ratio. Send this file to Pro and use the same format. Export as usual to a DVD. And export to vimeo 640x480 square pixels.

SD widescreen
AE - NTSC DV widescreen 720x480 1.2 aspect ratio. Send this file to Pro and use the same format. Export to as usual to DVD. Vimeo states to use 853x480 square pixels, haven't done this yet.

Looking at the numbers exporting to Vimeo in the first example the export is downsizing. But on the second example the numbers are upscaling. Will I lose quality? Should I start in AE with a larger file and use 2 PrProjects...one for burning a widescreen DVD and another for exporting to Vimeo?

[Steve Grisetti]

It's not so much upscaling and downscaling as it is simply turning non-square pixels into square pixels, Cheryl. The amount of video data is virtually identical, whether it's an anamorphic 720x480 or a square pixel 853x480. So you won't see any change in the video quality.

[momoffduty]

That makes perfect sense Steve. Thanks. I am trying to get a set workflow and get overwhelmed with all of the numbers. When is it best to work with square pixels in AE? The project would still have to be put into a nonsquare comp for export to Pro. And AE only has 1 pass encoding so it is best to export from a NLE that has 2 pass encoding.

[Steve Grisetti]

Well, that depends.

Broadcast video -- including raw video from your camcorder -- uses non-square pixels. While computer-based video, including video for the Web, uses square pixels.

The short answer is to use non-square pixels while you're editing and output to square pixels (unless you're creating a BluRay or DVD).

[Bob]

Take a look at this article: http://library.creativecow.net/articles/gerard_rick/pixel_madness.php

[momoffduty]

Thanks Bob! Great article. Hope you don't mind if I have any follow up questions.