Disc authoring question...

[smrpix]

In this case, I'm starting with 16:9 HD and need to go to 4:3 SD. Won't that create problems with how the picture looks?

Is there any particular reason you must use 4:3 SD and can't use 16:9 SD?

The picture will necessarily be less sharp because you are using 1/4 the resolution. In most cases it will be sharper than SD-originated material, but it will never be as crisp as HD.

[sdsumike619]

Hmm..I wasn't aware that there is 16:9 SD. Everything that I've shot and edited for DVD in the past has been 720x480

[smrpix]

Hmm..I wasn't aware that there is 16:9 SD. Everything that I've shot and edited for DVD in the past has been 720x480

Yes, it's been around for at least 20 years.

Here's an explanation:
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/misc/anamorphic_dvd.htm

[manono]

What I'm having the most trouble understanding is how to make 1920x1080 HD footage into 720x480 SD footage and still have it look correct since those are two different aspect ratios.

Either you or the program you use (one such as AVSToDVD) will do a straight resize to 720x480 and encode for 16:9.

Everything that I've shot and edited for DVD in the past has been 720x480

720x480 isn't 4:3. It's 3:2. It's time for you to learn something about DARs (Display Aspect Ratios)

[_Al_]

you cannot see the difference between 4:3 and 16:9 DVD, just looking at resolution, both have the same resolution, 720x480, the difference is aspect ratio,

it is an efficient solution to be able encode 16:9 into full available resolution 720x480 for SD, and then just give it a flag 16:9 while authoring so any player will grant this and renders 16:9 ratio on screen

[smrpix]

If you bring a 1920x1080 source into Encore and create a timeline it will automatically assume it is 16:9. If you see something else, such as a 4:3 picture with bars on the top and bottom, right click on your source, choose interpret footage, and change the "conform to" options until you have a proper 16:9 filled frame.

If you see thin black bars on the edges, that's fine.

[sdsumike619]

I will have to do some experimentation. I may not use Encore as Adobe has some weird new monthly pricing creative cloud thing. What ever happened to just being able to buy a piece of software? Hopefully my older version of Encore will run on Windows 7...

[smrpix]

If your version of Encore will not load, manono's suggestion of AVStoDVD is excellent.