User guide

Creating a production in 16:9 format

When editing on Matrox RT.X100 Xtreme, you can choose to work with source

video that’s been recorded in either the 4:3 standard TV screen format, or the

widescreen 16:9 format.

°To create a production in 16:9 format on Matrox RT.X100 Xtreme, do the

following:

1 Record your video onto tape with your camera set to the widescreen 16:9

format. The video will be recorded as horizontally compressed 4:3 video.

2 Start Adobe Premiere, then set your editing aspect ratio to 16:9 as explained

in the section “Selecting your editing aspect ratio” on page 46. This ensures

that the effects you create on Matrox RT.X100 Xtreme will be displayed

with the correct proportions when viewed in 16:9 format.

¦NoteWhen editing in 16:9 format, certain pre-created Matrox organic wipe

or mask patterns may appear distorted. For example, circular wipes will appear

elongated.

3 Capture your video clips as you normally would. Select the 16:9 display

option on your NTSC or PAL video monitor to “unsquish” the video and

play it back in widescreen format without distortion.

4 If you create animations, titles, or graphics (including organic wipe or mask

patterns) for your production using a program that lets you set the pixel

aspect ratio, use the appropriate setting for 16:9 display:

$ On an NTSC system, set the pixel aspect ratio to 1.185.

$ On a PAL system, set the pixel aspect ratio to 1.422.

If you can’t set the pixel aspect ratio, create your image at 853×480 (NTSC)

or 1024×576 (PAL). After you’ve created your image, resize only its width

to 720. When you resize the image, your text or graphic will appear

elongated on your computer screen.

5 Edit your production as you would a standard 4:3 production. Make sure you

change the pixel aspect ratio setting for your project to

D1/DV NTSC

Widescreen 16:9 (1.2)

or D1/DV PAL Widescreen 16:9 (1.422), as

explained in the section “Defining your Video settings” on page 54.

¦NoteBe aware that if your video monitor is displaying in 4:3 format, certain

effects may appear elongated because of the horizontal scaling. Setting your

monitor to 16:9 will display the effects with the correct proportions.

6 Record your finished production onto tape. Remember that you’ll need a

monitor capable of displaying material in 16:9 format to properly view your

master tape.