just find a Final Cut Pro's problem

[compusic]

I just use FCP (latest version) to creat a pal (resolution=720x576) project, and import a mpeg2 encoded m2v file with resolution of 720x576, the PAR is 1.067. to my surprise, the imported file does not occucpy the whole monitor windows of FCP, it's a little smaller.

I then check the imported files' property in FCP, it's 720x540 in square pixels! since pal frame in square pixels is 768x576, then that's the reason--- FCP scales the imported file to 720x540 instead of 768x576.

I think that is a FCP's fault. as we know, hunman eyes are more sensetive to the vertical resolution than to the horizontal resolution. FCP should keep the vertical resolution of 576 lines, and scale the horizontal resolution to 768. but FCP does the job in the opposite way.

BTW, I'm new to FCP. anyone know how to let FCP scales imported video/graphic to full frame automatically? thanks.

[crusty]

Its not FCP being incorret on import it is quicktime see below.

"Quick-Time player always assumes square pixels, so "PAL" always plays in a 5x4 shape, irrespective of the supposed image shape. If QT is informed that the image is 4:3, it takes the width (720) and reports height as 3/4 of that (540)."

I assume if you are importing MPEG2 into FCP that you are going to do some sort of editing to the file. You are better off getting it into a native QT format such as DV, get your hands on a piece of freeware called MPEGstreamclip which will transcode to any QT format, this also has the bonus of no rendering in FCP.

If you really need to import MPEG2 into FCP just change the size in the Movie Info Properties in QT and save it back out.

[compusic]

If QT is informed that the image is 4:3, it takes the width (720) and reports height as 3/4 of that (540)."

though I'm not sure which one, the FCP or QT, does the scaling job, the problem here is why not take the height (576) and report width as 768?

I usually edit uncompressed files. this problem is just found by accident.