A question that comes up quite a bit is how to quickly and correctly output a 16x9 program as a 4x3 program letterboxed (black bars on top and bottom of frame). It’s a little different if going to tape as opposed to going to DVD. We'll list the steps for both outputs.
To output to tape letterboxed:
1. Create your program in a 16x9 sequence.
2. Create a 4x3 sequence using whatever output presets that are needed. One important detail that shouldn't be overlooked: make sure the 4x3 sequence has the same frame rate as the 16x9 sequence. If you shot 24p (23.98 fps) in 16x9, make sure the 4x3 sequence is also 23.98 fps.
3. Double-click open the 4x3 sequence.
4. Drag the icon for the 16x9 sequence down into the Timeline for the 4x3 sequence. Don't double-click the 16x9 sequence, drag it. This operation of dragging one sequence into another is called nesting.
Just by placing one sequence into the other, the 16x9 footage is automatically letterboxed correctly.
Another way to do this would be to copy all the clips out of the 16x9 sequence and paste them into the 4x3 sequence. Nesting works fine when outputting to QuickTime, or when outputting a somewhat short program to tape. If you are working with a long sequence and outputting to tape, the copy and paste method will be "easier" on Final Cut during the output, and you will probably have less chances for dropped frames on output.
5. Render the sequence and output to tape.
If you are placing interlaced footage from one Timeline into another interlaced Timeline, there could potentially be an issue with the field dominance of the footage and the Timeline not matching. For example, all HD formats are upper field first. NTSC formats are lower field first. When you place 16x9 HD into a DV sequence (in this example), Final Cut should automatically place a video filter on the nested sequence (or pasted clips) called Shift Fields, as seen next.
If Final Cut does not do this, then apply the filter yourself (Effects > Video Filters > Video > Shift Fields). In this example, set the filter to +1. When you watch external video of your rendered sequence, if you notice any stuttering, then the field order is not correct, and change the setting on the filter.
Outputting 16x9 to DVD:
For a program going to DVD, life is a little simpler. We do not need to letterbox the program first; in fact, we probably shouldn't. The best option is to output a 16x9 sequence as a QuickTime movie (File > Export > QuickTime Movie) at its current settings, then bring this into DVD Studio Pro (or compress into MPEG 2 first in Compressor). Either way is fine, just make sure Compressor and DVD Studio Pro see this movie as 16x9. If so, then this is how it will display on TV:
- On a 4x3 TV, the program will automatically be letterboxed.
- On a 16x9 TV, the program will automatically be full frame (16x9).
This way it displays correctly on either TV. If you letterbox the program first before creating the QuickTime movie, then it will only appear correctly on a 4x3 TV. On a 16x9 TV, there will be black bars on the top, bottom, left and right sides (letterboxed and pillarboxed)- not a great way to see the program. If you export as 16x9 from Final Cut, then you won't have this issue.
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