SonyVegas downsize question.

hi any sonyvegas users out there? :0)

i'm trying to downsize some HDV footage to NTSC DV size. (...because I have a few clips where the subject is too small for the HD frame).

i'm puzzled by the workflow and settings - basically what I'm doing right now is:

1. With my HDV footage in the timeline I'm going into Event Pan/Crop and setting the aspect ratio at 4:3 and then 'zooming' into the subject.

2. I'm then rendering out to a .mov file using a custom template with the following settings:
Video rendering quality: best
Frame size: NTSC DV (720x480)
Field Order: Lower field first
Pixel Aspect ratio: 0.909
Video Format: DV/DVC Pro - NTSC
Quality: 100%

Should I be using 'Photojpeg' instead of DV/DVC Pro in the Video Format field?
I'm also getting thin black bars on either side of my output video - but can't figure out why?

Any thoughts / help much appreciated!
Rob aka orbitrob

Yes, there are some ony Vegas users out here. :) - Your approach is making things way too difficult and will not yield what you expect. Here is how you do it correctly:

1. Select and right click on the clip you wish to convert to NTSC
2. From the pop up - select "Properties"
3. Click on the "Media" tab.
4. Change "Pixel aspect ratio" to 0.9091 (NTSC DV)
5. Uncheck (if neccessary) - "Maintain Aspect Ratio" (This may or may not be neccessary depending on the look - watch your preview screen)
6. To render in proper format you will now need to (temporarily - or if all clips on time line need to be converted you can leave it) go to File->Properties->Video(Tab)->Template(item)->select "NTSC DV 720x480, 29.970fps) - this will re-size the entire project to NTSC correctly.
7. Then use your selection tool to select and highlight the length of the clip you want to render (it should have a bar with two yellow triangles at the top and be highlighted in blue) - You can also adjust to exact length by entering a value in the bottom right hand corner (the selection length value) and then moving the whole highlight around by grabbing it on the blue bar in between the two yellow triangles.
8. Then Tools->New Track (or Ctrl M) - it will ask for a file name, type template etc... this is where you decide where to save the output, which codec to use etc..

I have several templates created that I can quickly choose from: For NTSC I have the following settings under my "Quicktime.mov" type:

Include video: checked
Frame size: NTSC DV (720x480)
Frame rate: 29.970 (NTSC)
Filed order: Upper field first
Pixel aspect ratio: 1.000
Video format: Motion JPEG B
Compressed depth: 24bpp color
Quality: 80 - 82% (not higher than 82% as it only makes the file larger but not clearer)
Data rate: (not applicable and should be grayed out anyway)

You may also click on the Audio tab and either check or uncheck this as needed.

If this is the first time you are setting these settings, then type in a name for the setting template and click on the little diskette icon - that will save it and you can easily recall this template anytime provided you are saving in quicktime.mov format.

Hope that helps.

Andy - that's a great help - thanks!

format aspect ratios, pixel aspect ratios, codecs, wrappers - its enough to drive anyone nuts..but I think i've finally got it - i've eliminated the black bars and the SD output looks great.

I've also figured out how to pan and crop within the HDV frame which is awesome - although the footage was shot on a tripod with no movement - using the timeline and keyfames in the event pan/crop area makes it look like i'm tracking the subject using a fluid head. very pro and smooth-looking effect. :0)

thanks again for helping clear things up.
us sony vegas users have to stick together. :0)

Rob aka orbitrob

That's great info, thanks Vader..............Sony Vegas can drive me crazy sometimes

Norman

No problem - I am seriously thinking about putting together a series on how to's specifically for gen'ing stock for sites like this. But then again, I think a lot about many things - but with only 32 hours in a day, I just run out of time. :)

Andy if you do, why not put it in a blog where you could benefit from the site traffic ($$).

I would love to hire someone like you for a day to learn more on the Vegas processing, but from a stock point of view. Do you come to Ottawa often Lol!!

Norman

Yes, I am seriously looking to find time to do this. But I figured I would wait until ver 9.x is shipping so that I can do in that version and then call out any diff's on the prior versions. Make sense?

It does make sense, but I do subscribe to the do it now way of life. When the next version of Vegas comes out you will already be in the game. I'm also surprised at how many people are still using older versions as well.

Norman

I'm sure Vader's tutorials will be great but just FYI there are also a lot of helpful tutorials on YouTube too.

Talk about "old" versions.... I still use Vegas 6 and Premier 5.0 !!!!!! lol