Creating 4/3 resolution DVD - Should I videotape it in HD or SD?

[chebba]

I am creating a 5 minute presentation that will be burned to a DVD and displayed with a projector and screen. The company that is managing/running the screen-projector needs it to be standard 4-3 display size. I have a sony ex1 and a Canon 7D and a Sony VX2000 and PD150. Which camera(s) should I use and at what resolution should I capture? HD or SD? I hope I have given the correct information. Should I capture the footage in HD or SD? Edit in HD or SD? any tips for me? thanks, Chebba

[guns1inger]

4:3 doesn't preclude shooting in widescreen and encoding as letterboxed 4:3.

Capture and edit at whatever the native resolution of your camera is, then resize and encode for DVD at the end of the process. Shoot with whatever camera will give you the best results. The fact that the final output will be DVD should not dictate which camera you use.

[chebba]

Aren't you wasting a lot of screen space with the letterboxing? Is there another solution?

[edDV]

The PD150 or VX2000 in 4x3 (normal DV) mode should work best.
They would not require resize and are great low light camcorders.

What do you mean by Sony ex1? You mean XDCAM PMW-EX1? If so, that can shoot 720x480i 4x3 DV or HD wide.

Just curious how you have access to all these expensive camcorders? Rental? If you are unfamiliar, the VX2000 would be easier to learn with the PD150 better for use with pro microphones. Learn those models before attempting the PMW.

[poisondeathray]

What do you mean by Sony ex1? You mean XDCAM PMW-EX1? If so, that can shoot 720x480i 4x3 DV or HD wide.

EX1 only shoots HD. The newly released EX1-R adds SD capability

[edDV]

What do you mean by Sony ex1? You mean XDCAM PMW-EX1? If so, that can shoot 720x480i 4x3 DV or HD wide.

EX1 only shoots HD. The newly released EX1-R adds SD capability

Right.

[chebba]

Thank you for those nice answers. I wanted to shoot in 4-3 but couldn't get past the quality and investment of the PMW ex1 and the HD wide screen stuff. I am going to test the system today for picture quality with 720x480. Tomorrow is the first interview. I'm using the Marvel picture profile in the EX1. I am going to check out the skin detail setting also. Just can't believe that I invested in the HD stuff including an Axio LE and a duo quad xeon and I'm still working in 4-3.
edDV - do you have a website?

[edDV]

Thank you for those nice answers. I wanted to shoot in 4-3 but couldn't get past the quality and investment of the PMW ex1 and the HD wide screen stuff. I am going to test the system today for picture quality with 720x480. Tomorrow is the first interview. I'm using the Marvel picture profile in the EX1. I am going to check out the skin detail setting also. Just can't believe that I invested in the HD stuff including an Axio LE and a duo quad xeon and I'm still working in 4-3.
edDV - do you have a website?

If the client wants a 5 min 4x3 DVD, shooting SD should be fine. I don't know any details of your project that would suggest otherwise. You seem to be on the low end of the learning curve. Walk before you run. Get this project done in SD while you develop HD workflows for future jobs.

I don't have a website.