Final Cut Pro 6 - Pillarboxing 4:3 Video in a 16:9 Frame

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Pillarboxing 4:3 Video in a 16:9 Frame

Scaling 4:3 video to 16:9 results in black side panels on either side of the 4:3 image.

Original
size

Original
aspect ratio

Destination
size

Destination
aspect ratio

Upconversion
method

720 x 480

4:3 (1.33)

1280 x 720,
1920 x 1080

16:9 (1.78)

Scale up
and pillarbox

720 x 480
(anamorphic)

16:9 (1.78)
squeezed

1280 x 720,
1920 x 1080

16:9 (1.78)

Scale up

1280 x 720

16:9 (1.78)

1920 x 1080

16:9 (1.78)

Scale up

480 to 720

480 to 1080

Side panels

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696

Part IV

Real Time and Rendering

To pillarbox a 4:3 clip within a 16:9 sequence:

1

Create a sequence with a 16:9 aspect ratio. For example, choose the DVCPRO HD - 1080i60
Easy Setup and then create a new sequence.

2

Drag a clip with a 4:3 aspect ratio to the sequence.

If a dialog appears asking if you want to conform your sequence settings to your clip,
click No.

3

If the clip is not automatically scaled up to fit the sequence, select the sequence clip
and then choose Modify > Scale to Sequence.

The 4:3 sequence clip is now scaled to fit in the 16:9 sequence and appears pillarboxed.

For more information, see “

Scaling Images and Video Clips to Match a Sequence

” on

page 377.