Resolution for creating anamorphic graphics

[Maiko Herajin]

Hello all!

Hopefully this isn't something that has been covered numerous times before, but all the information I've looked about for concerning my question has been a) confusing and b) contradictory.

Basically, my question is this: When creating still graphics for video that will go on an anamorphic 16:9 DVD, what resolution should I make them at to ensure they will appear correctly on a widescreen TV?

In other words, I will obviously have to resize them to 720x480 (using NTSC) after they are completed. But when they are stretched out anamorphicly on a widescreen (or computer DVD player, I assume) they will appear to be much wider than the 640x480 they would appear to be normally.

It would seem that the number would be 853x480, since that gives a DAR of 1.78, but I have seen several other numbers as well. Can anyone confirm this is correct?

Also, a question more on theory: what ACTUAL resolution do widescreen TVs display at? I've seen somewhat contradictory information as to what NTSC PAR is, but the most common figure is 0.909 or 0.91. That would seem to suggest an actual resolution of 937x480, but I've seen different numbers for this as well.

Also, if 0.91 is NTSC PAR, then why does 720 * 0.91 not give 640 but 704 does? 640x480 is the figure one is always given to resize DVDs back to normal viewing on a computer, so does 640x480 not indicate the actual true resolution, but only the amount we're viewing without the overscan? :confused: In that case, wouldn't resizing a video with the overscan (ie this 720x480 DVD) to 655 result in a more "true" image on a computer? (720 * 0.91 = 655) Yet 655x480 isn't 4:3! :confused: :confused:

Sorry for all the techy questions. Let the informing begin! Thanks! :p

[mp3dom]

Use Photoshop 7/CS/CS2. Make a new file of 720x480 (NTSC) or 720x576 (PAL) with the appropriate Pixel Aspect Ratio (you can choose for example 720x480 NTSC Widescreen with guides). You'll end up with a true 720x480 file with the overscan/button limit guides and the correct aspect ratio. You can switch to NTSC aspect ratio to Square pixel to see the difference! With this tip you don't need to made any kind of resize.

[Yenaphe]

For Pal DVD's i use 1024*576 1:1 pixel ration stills, then i downconvert them into 720*576.

But the easiest way would be to work it in Photoshop with a 720*480 with the correct aspect ratio.

[slk001]

Wow... I see from these responses why it would seem confusing.

Your initial assumptions are correct - 853x480 is the resolution you should theoretically use. However, some color spaces require a number divisible by 8. That's why I create mine at 856x480. Just remember to "squeeze" the final product to 720x480 prior to using in a DVD.

[SeeMoreDigital]

I use an application called JPGAvi to convert single or multiple still (.BMP, .PNG, .JPG etc, etc) images to full motion video.

You can import images at just about any resolution and set JPGAvi to output at just about any resolution too :)

[Clown shoes]

Wow... I see from these responses why it would seem confusing.


Umm why are those responses confusing? Surely using a widescreen template provided by software such as Photoshop is a sensible solution and does not necesitate any maths or equations on the part of the user. I produce DVDs on a daily basis using this very simple system that allows you to work with pre-prepared DVD compliant files whilst also seeing what the end product will look like.