Square Output Isn't so square...

AAProds wrote on 5/6/2020, 11:28 PM

While I was researching doing a tute for exporting to Whatsapp and Instagram (prompted by the other thread on Instagram MP4s), I came across this.

I'm trying to export a square video. When I set the pixels to square, the selector area in the Preview window isn't square, and it doesn't export square. The export is faithful to the selector area, not the pixel setting. It would appear that to export a square, one has to eyeball with the selector area to square and not use the pixel settings, which indicate seemingly incorrectly. It's probably me but...

Thoughts?

(MEP 19.0.2.58)

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 5/7/2020, 2:00 AM

@AAProds

. . . . the selector area in the Preview window isn't square . . . .

That is because you have the Free proportions option selected, if the project is set to square then in the Section dialog - set the Free proportions to Like movie and it will be square.

HTH

John EB

AAProds wrote on 5/7/2020, 2:24 AM

Got half of it. I've set "Like Movie", and the selector area is now locked to the square shape 👍, but the pixel readings are still "not square":

CubeAce wrote on 5/7/2020, 2:30 AM

@AAProds

Hi.

Yes it's you. 😆 😇

The pixel settings is to accommodate the different pixel shapes found on different types of monitors to keep the aspect ratio correct.

From the manual. page 353

Pixel Aspect Ratio (PAR, pixel aspect ratio: Indicates the aspect ratio of individual pixels. The majority of computer monitors have quadratic pixels (PAR=1:1), for analog television monitors (PAL at 4:3) 128:117.

It's the setting for the monitor you are currently using, not for exporting.

Ray

AAProds wrote on 5/7/2020, 2:45 AM

Thanks Ray, I always thought it was me was me was me!

That doesn't explain why on my computer monitor (1:1 PAR) I'm seeing a square but not getting a square pixel count, does it? The pixel settings values are 4:3 ratio. I have the Movie Settings 720, 720 1:1.

CubeAce wrote on 5/7/2020, 2:51 AM

@AAProds

I'm pretty sure the settings are just for the monitor you are viewing from and would only need changing if you were using an old analogue TV set or some mobile phones have different pixel 'shapes' on their screens.

I personally don't touch settings of that nature. It's the same with printing stills, people getting confused over dots per inch settings with printers and wonder why their images don't come out the correct size.

Ray.

AAProds wrote on 5/7/2020, 3:05 AM

Fair enough Ray, I think it's my OCD popping up it's head (down boy!). It's just a bit confusing and someone may say "Hey, I can set the pixel size exactly, cool" when in fact they can't.

Anyway, I've now got the square "square", so that's the main thing. 👍

johnebaker wrote on 5/7/2020, 3:28 AM

@AAProds

. . . . "Hey, I can set the pixel size exactly, cool" when in fact they can't . . . .

I did test that this morning and I could eg 503 x 503 - now that's a cool resolution 😂

However come export, you may find you gain or lose pixels to bring them up to an even number.

It depends on the internal coding of the video whether it can handle odd pixels, if you look at the standard resolutions they are based on a 4x4, 8x8 or 16x16 block encoding.

John EB

AAProds wrote on 5/7/2020, 3:41 AM

Just for stamps, I did set the pixels to the same (440, 440 with "Free Props". of course) and the export din't work out right: it's letterboxed, black top and bottom. And that's how it ended up on Whatsapp. That couldn't be considered normal, IMO. The exported video looks like it's about 4:3.

If the pixel settings are 1:1 and the movie settings are set to 1:1, IMO the selector area should be square.

Anyway, on on! 👍

johnebaker wrote on 5/7/2020, 4:14 AM

@AAProds

We dealt with Whatsapp export formats in this topic.

Set the project dimensions and aspect ratio to start with and all will be well - I did correct the PRU file as well, thanks again for spotting the streamable option was not checked.

John EB

AAProds wrote on 5/7/2020, 8:03 AM

Arh yes John, if only I knew then what I know now about square videos! 😊