Still picture question for 720p

[apollo1980]

Hi folks.

If I shoot video in 720p, and want to create a title screen tga or jpg still when editing, what resolution should it be?

I know you would create a 720 x 486 image for 480i, but what would I create for 720p?

Thanks in advance.

[jagabo]

1280x720

[apollo1980]

THANKS!

[edDV]

Be sure to allow for TV overscan.

[apollo1980]

Now 1280 x 720...is this the VIDEO resolution? If so, what is the still picture resolution.

I know that 720 x 480 is the max resolution for video for NTSC, but you actually go 720 x 486 for someone creating a picture or graphic to be used in NTSC because the pixel base is different.

So you're sure that 1280 x 720 is correct resolution for someone making a picture file to be used in 720p HD?

Thanks again.

[Cornucopia]

720x486 is a D1 standard, not a DV or DVD standard. Whatever "still picture" you would want to put on a DVD, it will always end up being converted to 720x480.

My suggestion: Just use a HD 4:3 picture (like 1408x960 = 2x704 and 2x480), resize anamorphically down 2x each way, then add 8 pixels each side (L,R) and you'll have about the best quality SD still possible.

In the same way, best looking 720p HD still might start as 16:9 2560x1440 and resize down 2x (this at least is linear/nonanamorphic). It'll still have to be same rez as video to be put on a HDDVD or BD.

UNLESS... you're talking just putting raw data files on a data disc, then they can be any size and/or format that your target player will work with.

Scott

P.s.: As edDV said, you should always account for overscan. But I always do it by making sure the center-of-interest in the image is within those borders, and let the image fill beyond (vs. cropping+padding or resize+padding, etc).

NOTE that I strongly suggest a 2x or greater downsizing. Think "oversampling"...

[apollo1980]

Scott:

The pictures will either be full screen OR used as a background for a chroma key.

Thanks.

[edDV]

Scott:

The pictures will either be full screen OR used as a background for a chroma key.

Thanks.

There are two ways to format TV graphics using title/graphics safe rules.

1. 16:9 or letterbox 4:3 only



2. Titles/graphics that work for 16:9, letterbox 4:3 or full 4:3 (e.g. conventional analog TV).
This is usually required for TV broadcast since all three types of TV sets are targeted.


http://www.tvforum.co.uk/forums/topic20409

It is a good idea to preview your graphics on both an overscanned 16:9 and overscanned 4:3 display
(e.g. the worse old fashion 4:3 TV) like this example.

Best choice old 4:3 TV will be one without a comb filter. That way you see buzzing NTSC colors.

[Cornucopia]

(A little off-topic)
edDV, that reminds me of the old days when Mastering audio. You were told to listen to the mix and optimize the freq/balance, then do another round using Yamaha NS-10s and JBLs to optimize for both bad FM radio reception (and end-users' bad stereo systems) and LPs.
This ALWAYS aggravated me. It's a choice of WHO is your main audience.

I liked it much better when I was making CDs for Classical audiophiles - I knew what I heard would be what they heard. GOOD stuff!

So maybe there will come a day soon, with all the changes in monitor capbabilities, when we can IGNORE overscan altogether (because not many will still have such old TVs, or "we don't care about those people"). Oops.
Just think, someday 4:3 might even be a rarity.

Scott