Pal 16/9

[Walter Lantz]

When making an animation in the PAL 16:9 format and when encoding it to a AVI or Quictime file (only for reeldemo !) , the format is reconducted to 4:3. Even when saving the animation into a DV Encoder or MPG2 to use it on a DVD, the format doesn't accept the PAL 16:9.
Neither can we transcode it to a Betacam in 16:9.
How can we produce a broadcasting movie in PAL 16:9 format.

[Fabrice]

In fact, PAL is 720 x 576,

on a 4/3 screen the pixel aspect ratio is 1.067, near to square.
on a 16/9 screen you have two choices :
- you can display with the same pixel ratio, so you will have black borders on the left and right of the screen.
- if you select the 16/9 mode of your screen/TV the black borders will disappear, but the pixel will be rectangular (pixel aspect ratio = 1.422).

If the image has been created with a pixel aspect ratio of 1.067, and stretched on a 16/9 screen, the proportions will be wrong.
If the image has been created with a pixel aspect ratio of 1.422, and stretched on a 4/3 screen, the proportions will be wrong.

The Avi files displayed on a computer screen are always displayed with a 1.0 pixel aspect ratio.

- - - -

In your case, you have to set the pixel aspect ratio to 1.0 in the export panel. Then TVPaint will add the black borders at the top and the bottom of the sequence and you will be able to display your animation on computer screens.

[Paul Fierlinger]

In your Export Footage Panel, do you have Correct Aspect and Preserve Proportion selected?

[Walter Lantz]

So let's resume : we have the following results , with Correct Aspect and Preserve Proportion selected , saved in DV Pal and encoded on a DVDRom.
When the file is saved in PAL 16:9 we get a 720x576 CCIR-601D1 - 4:3 signal
1) With a pixel ratio on 1.0 we get a right aspect on a computerscreen and a wrong aspect on a 16:9 television screen (2 black stripes, above and under): a compressed image
2) With a pixel ratio of 1.067 we get a wrong aspect on a computerscreen and a wrong aspect on a 16:9 television screen (2 black stripes, above and under) : a compressed image
3) With a pixel ratio of 1.422 we get a wrong aspect on a computerscreen and a right aspect on a 16:9 television screen(full screen)

Now witch of the 3 displays is going to be accept by a broadcast television network ?

[slowtiger]

I think the third option is the one you should choose.

Just did a test myself: there's not only the settings in the Export panel, but also the settings in the Quicktime panel. If I choose the PAL DV codec, I have to choose the 16:9 aspect ratio again! Then I get a file which looks 4:3 distorted on computer, but should look right on TV. At least the file should contain all pixel information, but I can't check if it correctly contains the marker which tells the TV set to switch to 16:9.

Then I imported that very clip into Final Cut HD express. I chose "DV-PAL anamorphotic" as project setting. The clip was shown as distorted as before. But then I exported it to Quicktime again - same DV PAL codec, same 16:9 setting. I opened it in QT: Lo and Behold! it was shown in glorious 16:9. Obviously Final Cut is able to add that 16:9 marker, but I should expect TVP to do the same ...

I recommend you check this with your favourate video postpro facility.

[Walter Lantz]

Encoding the following different formats in PAL 16:9
1) With a pixel ratio on 1.0
2) With a pixel ratio of 1.067
3) With a pixel ratio of 1.422
in a DV Pal encoder
and re-encoding them all in Adobe Premiere Pro
in a DV Pal encoder
they seem to have the correct aspect on a computerscreen and on a television 16:9
What's wrong then with TVPaint ?

[Fabrice]

Everything is ok with TVP

In fact, the reference for TVPaint is the pixel.

Your project has a size (x/y) in pixel. For example : (480/640), (1024/768), etc ...
So if you want to export in 16/9, the best is to reproduce the 16:9 aspect in the project size. for example : (1920/1080) will work.

If you can not, you will have to change the pixel aspect ratio to get a project with a 16/9 aspect.
But you will have to specify to your video player that you are not using square pixels.

If needed and if enough time, I will try post some screenshots