4x3 Conversion

AKinDC

Well-known member
If I'm working in a 16x9 project, and have to drop in a 4x3 clip, what's the quickest way to convert that clip to 16x9?
We've been brainstorming a bunch of ways, but I'm curious to see what you all do out there...
 

zac love

Well-known member
FCP will do it for you, even mix many different flavors of SD & HD in realtime on the same sequence.

In my opinion I want to see things in their original aspect ratio, but I really can't stand window boxing. So when I have had to mix 4:3 & 16:9 content in one project, I make 2 masters. One where the 16:9 is letterboxed in a 4:3 frame, the other I have 4:3 pillarboxed in a 16:9 frame.
 

Alx

Member
4:3 - 16:9

If you drop a 4:3 clip into a FCP 16:9 sequence, it will be pillarboxed
automatically.

If you want to fill the 16:9 frame, use motion to zoom in and/or stretch
the clip. The content and framing of you original 4:3 clip will dictate
how much zooming and stretching you can use without distorting the image.

Another popular choice is some decorative wings. Replace the black
pillars with a neutral color that complements the 4:3 image, or stretch
the 4:3 to 16:9, add some blur, then use the edges as wings. This gives the 4:3 image a soft focus edge filling out to the 16:9 frame.
 
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