AfterEffects

Use square-pixel footage for output to D1/DV NTSC

If you intend to create a movie for the D1 output format, use the D1 NTSC or D1 PAL composition settings preset. The correct pixel aspect ratio for D1 NTSC or D1 PAL is chosen automatically when you choose the corresponding composition settings preset.

  1. Prepare square-pixel footage that fills the entire frame for any of the following final output formats:
    DV NTSC
    Create and save it at a 720 x 534 frame size.

    D1 NTSC
    Create and save it at a 720 x 540 frame size.

    D1/DV PAL
    Create and save it at a 768 x 576 frame size.

  2. Import the file into After Effects.
  3. (Optional) If your square-pixel footage was created and saved at 720 x 486 or 720 x 480, select it and choose File > Interpret Footage > Main. Then choose Square Pixels from the Pixel Aspect Ratio menu and click OK.
  4. Choose Composition > New Composition, and then do one of the following:

    • If your final output is DV, choose NTSC DV, 720 x 480 for Preset, and D1/DV NTSC (0.9) for Pixel Aspect Ratio.

    • If your final output is D1, choose NTSC D1, 720 x 486 for Preset, and D1/DV NTSC (0.9) for Pixel Aspect Ratio.

  5. Select your other composition settings as desired, and then click OK.
  6. Add your footage to the new composition.
  7. Select the layer containing the square-pixel footage and apply the Fit To Comp command: press Ctrl+Alt+F (Windows) or Command+Option+F (Mac OS).
    Note: If your footage was created and saved at a frame size other than those noted in step 1, skip step 7.