What to do when loading an overlay with the wrong aspect ratio

[Mike]

Now that I am adding widescreen support to VidBlaster, an interesting problem arises when you try to load an overlay that does not have the proper aspect ratio. E.g. what to do when you load a 4:3 overlay in a 16:9 video frame?

I could:

1. resize it to fill the frame (this will distort the image, but place it as intended)
2. resize it but maintain original aspect ratio, then centre it horizontally
3. maintain aspect ratio then oversize it so width is filled out, then align at the bottom (no distortion, placement as intended)
4. other.

Of course 3 will only work if your overlay was intended to be placed at the bottom of the image. If you overlay is a logo placed at the top, 3 is not an option (you'll have to load an overlay with proper aspect ratio).

Note I am not looking for options (there's no time to set options) or even an editor that allows you to change the original image. I think once you've chosen your video format, you should create any overlays to fit that format. This poll is only for those cases where you either have no choice, or chose the wrong graphic.

PS: note you cannot vote unless you're logged in!

Thanks!

[BobCozzi]

In general, requiring a 320x240 image isn't the best way to make things work.
Scaling to full-screen isn't how any other video program (like Adobe or Apple FinalCut) work.
They insert the image at its size and the user can resize it.

My thinking is that in 80.0 percent of the situations, folks are using the graphics for lower thirds, 10 percent for on-screen images/overlays, and the other 10 percent for fullscreen "look at this photo" stuff.

Having said all this, having a button/option on the overlay feature that says "Scale" or "Don't Resize" is probably the best choice. Then being able to scale the image manually via scroll buttons or similar would be perfect.

[FogTom]

Mike,

I think the user should use the proper overlay for the video format and VB shouldn't go out of it's way to make everything fit.

With that said I think the bigger issue is what do you do when your video clips don't match the recording format?

1) 4:3 video when recording/streaming 16:9?
Center the 4:3 video horizontally in the 16:9 box?

2)16:9 video when recording/streaming 4:3?
Letter box (center vertically) the 16:9 video in the 4:3 box?

Tom

[Mike]

@Tom: The players do what most of my equipment does: add black bars where appropriate. You've already seen that when playing a 16:9 video in 4:3. In 16:9 mode, a 4:3 video is displayed in letter box format.

@Bob: I already mentioned that's no option for me. VidBlaster is a live production tool, not an editor. You don't have time to edit overlays, you should have done that before you start the show. Also note VidBlaster automatically resizes, so what you say is wrong. Only the aspect ratio needs to be right, if not, well.. that's what this poll is all about.

[Rieks]

Mike,

Although I understand you don't want to make to many settings in a live production tool, this one is important. When your source widescreen-video comes from a classic NLE (editsoftware) it will be anamorphic 5:4. That's the way i.e. a file with DV compression is made. 720*576 in Europe. So in vidblaster, you will choose recompress to make it easier for broadcasting live. Then you should set aspact ratio to 'resize to fill the frame'. This is a normal situation.

However, when you created a 4:3 wmv yourself, or even a real 4:3 movie (720*576) from your NLE it must be set to 'resize but maintain aspect ratio'. So in my opinion, you really should have an option to choose at the place where you demand your recompress. Besides, recompress is preperation for your live-show so you can take your time for such a small setting.

Rieks

[Vanlen]

Resize and fit fill to centre would probably work for say supplied video for a presentation. As some have already stated I think that as VidBlaster Studio is a live broadcast-presentation tool you should have pre production graphics already tweaked before the show so to speak.

Cheers

[Mike]

Option2 it is: resize it but maintain original aspect ratio, then centre it. Implemented in v1.08. Thanks for your votes.