Square pixels or rectangle

[Fares Mejdi]

Hello,

I am starting a short film project in my film school, and since I am not expert in editing,and I have to edit it myself, I found myself kinda lost in the pixel ratios.
I do understand the general differences that TVs use rectangular ones when computers use the square ones, my problems are:

1- do you choose the pixel ratio while shooting or it happens in post (is it related to the shooting format, HD, HDV,DV...?) or it is just related to editing options;
2- what is best to chose specially that my short will be projected via a pc mostly, and may be if I'm lucky it might be screened on a tv later on.
3-does the square pixel work good in TV broadcasting or it ruins the video.

I am using canon 5D for shooting.

I hope somone can help me with these questions, thanks alot in advance.

[jagabo]

You don't directly choose the pixel aspect ratio. It's more a matter of what format you shoot in. You don't have any choice. The Canon 5D only shoots square pixel 1920x1080 (16:9 HD) and 640x480 (4:3 SD).

[Cornucopia]

If you remain in HD, your job is somewhat easier, because they primarily use ONLY 1:1 PAR (aka square pixels). There are variations (HDV, Sony HDCam) but they're not anywhere as common as most HD material, unlike the Wild West of SD ratios.

If you stay 1920x1080 (with square pixels) from start to finish in your shooting, editing, and compression/distribution, you'll be fine.

BTW, most devices that deal on a regular basis with non-square pixels will know how to properly correct for them, so creating a compliant DVD (obviously Std. Def) at 720x480 (NTSC system) or 720x576 (PAL system) will use non-square pixels, but a properly engineered DVD player will output the correct compensating info so that you will get the correct AR on screen. In these instances, it's best to stick to common, approved STANDARDS.

If you have more questions, let us know. But do give more thorough info...

Scott

[Fares Mejdi]

thanks alot Cornucopia and Jagabo