[SBE] mixed aspect ratio workflow

[Tony Mancari]

David,

AFD is the ticket. You insert it at your end for each frame of video you
feed. The receiver on the other end then decodes the AFD code in DTVs
and STBs which forces it to display correctly. All the major networks
are using this in conjunction will all the cable systems.

Works well, last long time.

Regards,

Tony

 

Tony Mancari - CBT, Society of Broadcast Engineers 

WVPT Public TV 

540.437.2451 

tmancari at wvpt.net

________________________________

From: sbe-bounces at sbe.org [mailto:sbe-bounces at sbe.org] On Behalf Of
David Baker
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 12:46 PM
To: sbe at sbe.org
Subject: [SBE] mixed aspect ratio workflow

 

Hello all,

 

Our facility is attempting to utilize its newer widescreen studio
cameras/lenses to produce content in 16:9.  The signal would be
distributed and recorded in composite analog until we can pave a path to
SD-SDI.  Currently our Sony cameras output a full-screen 16:9 anamorphic
image.  

 

Our problem lies in incorporating 4:3 content into these productions, as
well as also combining final productions with other mixed content (4:3,
letterbox 16:9, etc.) programs into a signal that gets to the cable
provider in some watchable manner - with no postage stamp look or
stretched images.

 

As far as I can tell, the key seems to be in the use of an Active Format
Descriptor (AFD) in our program material.  Can AFD be inserted in an
analog signal?  Does AFD use happen in the production facility, or at
the cable provider end?  

 

Our provider doesn't seem to be able to automatically switch aspect
ratio when it gets our signal.  The response was they were "not entirely
convinced it could work, or if it did what it would look like since
there is no other working example to follow".

 

Does anyone have a better way of managing this problem, and can
recommend some type of equipment interconnection/content workflow?

 

I have a feeling this may be an ongoing headache with no easy answer for
many facilities, but thanks for any insight!

 

 

 

 

Thank you,

David Baker, CBTE, CBNT
Media Production Coordinator
Community Relations Dept.
Village of Addison, IL
ofc:  630-693-7554

cell:  708-935-7829

fax: 630-543-5411
www.addisonadvantage.org <http://www.addisonadvantage.org/> 

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