I just had a "duh" moment. I have completed many projects using HV30 high-definition footage and the PRE9 "HD 1080i" preset, but I just discovered that the M2T files my HV30 creates don't match that preset:
- HV30 high-def M2T output is 1440 x 1080 (1.333 aspect ratio, which corresponds to 4x3 and surprises me!)
- HD 1080i preset uses 1920 x 1080 (1.777 aspect ratio, which corresponds to 16x9)

I have not adjusted any settings within the HV30 to change its aspect ratio.

When I place a HV30-created M2T file on the timeline there is no red "render required" bar over the clip. Yet, the HV30 output looks good and "widescreen" in PRE9 "monitor" window and in the finished output.

Would someone kindly explain how a PRE9 preset can accept a video file whose aspect ratio doesn't match its requirements?

HDV tape-based video uses non-square pixels, Ron. So it's still 16:9, just like 1920x1080 footage, but the pixels are wider than they are tall.

So if you are using the HDV project settings for your Premiere Elements project (which you apparently are, since you're not seeing red lines above the clips on your timeline) you're all set. You can output your video as 16:9 standard definition or high-definition video. Make sense?

Just to expand on what Steve said.

You said, "HD 1080i preset uses 1920 x 1080 (1.777 aspect ratio, which corresponds to 16x9)." That's true. Video shot at 1920x1080 uses square pixels and the frame aspect ratio will match the ratio of the pixel dimensions.

You also said, "HV30 high-def M2T output is 1440 x 1080 (1.333 aspect ratio, which corresponds to 4x3 and surprises me!)." The HV30 outputs HDV footage which is 1440x1080 pixels using rectangular pixels that are 1/3 wider than they are tall. With non-square pixels, the ratio of the pixel dimensions is not the same as the frame aspect ratio that will be displayed. When the pixel aspect ratio (the ratio of the width of the pixel to the height of the pixel) is taken into account, the frame aspect ratio will be 16:9 just like the 1920x1080 footage using square pixels. (1440 + 1440/3 = 1920)

Premiere Elements is designed to handle the various pixel aspect ratios used in video. If you use a clip with a different pixel aspect ratio than the project setting, it will be resampled to match automatically. The red render line will generally appear though. Since you didn't have a red line, it would appear that you were either using an HDV project setting or a HD setting that used an HDV processing mode. In either case, no red line says you're fine. That's ideal.

Wow, thanks guys, that is VERY helpful!