cropping to 3:1 format

[swarbrick]

I am so new to video production that I haven`t even chosen an editing software yet. But I want to convert my formerly 9-projector slide show on the Alps to digital and project it with video beamer onto my 6 x 2 metre screen. This is clearly a non-existent format in the video realm, so I guess I would have to crop the whole production top and bottom to provide the wide panorama. I haven`t a clue about how to go about this. If anyone could start by pointing me in the right direction I`d be very grateful. I`d prefer to remain with one beamer - perhaps a 1920 HD one, with vertical dimension cropped to 640 I guess

[redwudz]

A bit more info? What video format are you planning to use? That usually dictates the type of editor choice.

And welcome to our forums.

[swarbrick]

Thanks redwudz. I hadn`t thought about format yet. However the show is currently a still-picture show and will remain predominantly that, but I want to include video at strategic points where showing movement would be better than still images. Which leads to a second question - would some formats be better than others for that combination?
Re editing software I`d thought of Stumpfl`s Platinum but it`s expensive of course, and may be overkill.

[jagabo]

Nine projector slideshow? 3x3 array of projectors each displaying one video file or slide? I'm not sure how you get 3:1 aspect ratio out of that but joining stacking the individual files together isn't a problem. You can use AviSynth's StackHorzontal() and StackVertical() filters.

StackVertical(StackHorizontal(v1, v2, v3), StackHorizontal(v4, v5, v6), StackHorizontal(v7, v8, v9))

You'll probably want to crop and/or resize afterwards.

Final output and playback format will be a problem unless you stick with standard hi-def formats. 1920x640 in a letterboxed 1920x1080 frame. Most likely with MPEG2 or h.264 encoding.

You'll have to provide more details about your source and anticipated playback device before anyone can give you more specific advice.

[swarbrick]

No, that was a nine analogue projector show. But the original panoramas were scanned before cutting so that I shall be able to project them seamlessly with one digital projector. Sorry for the confusion. Can we start again?

[minidv2dvd]

ok. so they are already scanned and digitized? what format are the currently in? if you are going to play it from a computer through a projector i'd suggest avchd mp4 for compression, in a 1920x640 format.

[swarbrick]

They`re tifs, but I presume jpegs eventually. The photo part is a comparative cinch for a hitherto only still photographer like me. It`s the video I`m pretty clueless about - how to get that to 3:1 instead of 4:3 or whatever.

[jagabo]

Just crop down to a 3:1 frame size ratio. Any image editing program can do that. If you're going to use a computer for playback you can use any frame size you want. But if you want compatibility with a Blu-ray player you'll want to crop/resize to 1920x640 and letterbox in a 1920x1080 frame.