decorative banner

Using square-pixel footage for output to D1 or DV NTSC


    You can use square-pixel footage in a D1/DV NTSC composition and generate output that does not appear distorted. Note that the pixel aspect ratio is identical between D1 and DV, but there is a slight difference in composition frame size. The steps that follow contain information about issues discussed elsewhere in this guide.

To use square-pixel footage when outputting to D1 or DV NTSC:

  1. Prepare square-pixel footage that fills the entire frame using one of the following methods:
    • If your final output is DV, create and save it at a 720 x 534 frame size.
    • If your final output is D1, create and save it at a 720 x 540 frame size.
  2. Import the file into After Effects.
  3. Note: 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 pop-up menu and click OK.

  4. Choose Composition > New Composition, and then select one of the following:
    • If your final output is DV, choose NTSC DV, 720 x 480 for Frame Size, and D1/DV NTSC for Pixel Aspect Ratio.
    • If your final output is D1, choose NTSC D1, 720 x 486 for Frame Size, and D1/DV NTSC 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. Note: If your footage was created and saved at a frame size other than those noted in step 1, skip step 6.

  8. Select the layer containing the square-pixel footage and apply the Shrink to Fit command: press Ctrl+Alt+F (Windows) or Command+Option+F (Mac OS).