What size image to use when overlaying graphics on video?

[Michelle]

I created a 720x480 graphic image and when I bring it into Vegas it is a little shorter than the 720x480 video frame. Why is that and what is the right size needed?

[madvideos]

768x480

[madvideos]

NTSC

[madvideos]

where in the world did I get 768? lol.. all my mpg's are 720x480.. I have been exporting my movies out at 768x480. umm... damn I am an idiot.
lmao

[madvideos]

Michelle you have the right size, have you exported it yet? Maybe it is in the titlesafe area?

[Josef K]

Why is that?

Image editing (just plain graphics) are square pixels and video is non-square. Quick link from Google for you to read up on. If you use Photoshop, go to Image -> Pixel Aspect Ratio where you can swap between different TV standards and square.

EDIT:

Actually, a better and simpler quick link.

[Cornucopia]

Try 720x540 for NTSC videos. This is the Square Pixel equivalent of the standard DV/DVD size of 720x480 which uses NonSquare Pixels.

Scott

[Michelle]

Why is that?

Image editing (just plain graphics) are square pixels and video is non-square. Quick link from Google for you to read up on. If you use Photoshop, go to Image -> Pixel Aspect Ratio where you can swap between different TV standards and square.

EDIT:

Actually, a better and simpler quick link.

Photoshop says pixel aspect ratio should only be used for preview purposes.

The second link suggests: "create the image at 720 x 540 pixels. Then resize it to 720 x 480". It seems to me I would still end up with the same situation.

[Michelle]

Try 720x540 for NTSC videos. This is the Square Pixel equivalent of the standard DV/DVD size of 720x480 which uses NonSquare Pixels.

Scott

I tried that and it worked perfectly. Thanks!

[Josef K]

Photoshop says pixel aspect ratio should only be used for preview purposes.

You create your graphic in square pixels so you can see what the final effect should be. Then change to whatever you need before saving it out, thereby previewing it in before you (on a square pixel monitor) squish it.

[Michelle]

I created a 720*480 image and selected a pixel aspect ratio for DV. I then saved the result as a PNG, but then result is still a 720*480 file.

[Red96TA]

I usually use the same ratio, only multiplied. In theory, it would give me a better resolution on the text, no?

[lordsmurf]

720x540 ... a 4:3 image is needed.
Or 640x480
etc.

[midnightsun]

The second link suggests: "create the image at 720 x 540 pixels. Then resize it to 720 x 480". It seems to me I would still end up with the same situation.

This works because you create a 4:3(pixel aspect ratio) image- in this case with a resolution of 720x540 (720/540=4/3). You then resize it to 720x480 because NTSC video for dvd has that resolution. Then when you create a 4:3 display-aspect-ratio dvd project your image will be displayed at 640x480 (because you set it at 4:3) on playback. So that did the trick. The only thing you have to keep in mind with graphics and square-pixeled video in general is that your source must be in the same aspect ratio-pixelwse- as the final display aspect ratio.

Don't you just love all this stuff lol 8)