Anamorphic enhancement is the process of squeezing a widescreen image (16:9) to fit within a smaller ratio rectangle (4:3) and then expanding the image back to the original widescreen image (16:9) for proper viewing. The purpose of this process is to use a standard size recording format to deliver a widescreen image at the best resolution possible.

SD Pixels… In video we have high definition devices (HD) with a native 16:9 format and standard definition devices (SD) using a 4:3 format. When recording on an SD format like DV tape or DVD disks, we are limited to a 4:3 rectangle of 720 x 480 pixels (480 viewable scan lines).

If you’re shooting on DV tape and the camera has ability to record in “anamorphic mode” the result will be an intentional horizontally squished image. This process will fill all of the available SD pixels when displayed on a widescreen picture image.

Viewing a corrected image from the camera or DV deck… If your SD 4:3 video monitor has a 4:3/16:9 button, you can view a corrected widescreen image by selecting 16:9. The image will appear letterboxed. You can also accomplish the same effect by adjusting the vertical height on most monitors.

Editing… During the edit process the anamorphic DV footage stays in its original form – squished. Some edit software can “display” a proper widescreen image on the computer monitor during the editing process without rendering.

Encoding an Anamorphic master to DVD… Within the DVD encoding standard is a provision (flag) to identify the disk has anamorphic program material. When the disk is played, the DVD player and the widescreen DTV will recognize the anamorphic signal if the menu settings are in the correct mode.

In conclusion, anamorphic enhancement is a tool that allows us to use existing standard definition video equipment to record and display a widescreen image at the best resolution possible.

For additional information take a look at the following links…
Final Cut Pro – http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75079
The Ultimate Guide to AW DVD – http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/anamorphic/
World’s Easiest Explanation of AW – http://gregl.net/videophile/anamorphic.htm

Watch for more about video engineering with Chris here on
DavidRyanMediaSolutions.com

Chris Vazquez can be contacted at chris.designsmith@verizon.net or 301.953.1427