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R
robb77347957
Participant
December 30, 2018
Answered

Aspect Ratio issue?

  • December 30, 2018
  • 3 replies
  • 2176 views

Hi All

First time poster with, what I assume to be, an aspect ratio issue causing the dreaded black bars at the side of my final output file.

All looks ok within the composition that the client has specced at 1366x565 to go on their website – but the bars appear after rendering out the file.

The bars are really only a pixel or so wide, and quite difficult to see, but they are there!

Is there a simple adjustment I can make to either the size of the comp or the size of the video player on their site (I'm not building the site, but I can pass on suggestions) that will fix this issue? I've looked at some aspect ratio calculators and other posters questions with similar issues but I can't get my head around it!

Many thanks in advance!

Rob

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Rick Gerard

    If you are new to video follow these simple rules:

    • Do not create custom composition frame sizes until you have an experts understanding of video compression, video standards including frame rates, pixel aspect ratios, and frame sizes.
    • Do not work with Non-Square pixel aspect ratios - the only reason they are available in the render cue or AME is to render video back to the same format that was used to capture the video in the first place and cameras that use those frame sizes, pixel aspect ratios and compression schemes are out of production and no longer being developed. (The only exception is when you shoot with Anamorphic Lenses and if you are using those $$$$ professional lenses, you should already know how to handle anamorphic formats
    • If you create artwork for video do not use horizontal or vertical lines that you plan to move across the screen that is less than 3 pixels wide and line everything up with the pixel grid. DO NOT create artwork that has a standard non-square pixel aspect ratio frame size (720 X 480 for example) because AE will misinterpret that artwork every time
    • Avoid highly saturated colors right next to white or black because the edges will almost always act funny and end up with compression artifacts that spoil the design when the colors move across the screen

    A single pixel edge in the rendered video almost always means that you are working with a non-standard frame size somewhere in your workflow. Media players will default to standard frame ratios and expect standard frame sizes. A video file that is run through a compressor to produce a copy for distribution must be an even number of pixels high and wide and ideally a multiple of 4 pixels so the compression scheme can work properly. If you want a solid color background always add a solid to the bottom layer of your video that is the same size as the composition.

    These rules apply to any software used to create video content. Every NLE, compressor, motion graphics or visual effects software out there does not work well with odd frame sizes (531 X 1907), thin lines, saturated colors next to black or white solid colors, or detailed artwork that does not line up with the pixel grid that defines video.

    3 replies

    R
    robb77347957Author
    Participant
    January 3, 2019

    Thanks for the tips – looks like a combo of increasing the background 1% and adjusting the size of the comp slightly so its divisible by 4 has done the trick.

    Much appreciated

    R
    Community Expert
    Rick GerardCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    December 30, 2018

    If you are new to video follow these simple rules:

    • Do not create custom composition frame sizes until you have an experts understanding of video compression, video standards including frame rates, pixel aspect ratios, and frame sizes.
    • Do not work with Non-Square pixel aspect ratios - the only reason they are available in the render cue or AME is to render video back to the same format that was used to capture the video in the first place and cameras that use those frame sizes, pixel aspect ratios and compression schemes are out of production and no longer being developed. (The only exception is when you shoot with Anamorphic Lenses and if you are using those $$$$ professional lenses, you should already know how to handle anamorphic formats
    • If you create artwork for video do not use horizontal or vertical lines that you plan to move across the screen that is less than 3 pixels wide and line everything up with the pixel grid. DO NOT create artwork that has a standard non-square pixel aspect ratio frame size (720 X 480 for example) because AE will misinterpret that artwork every time
    • Avoid highly saturated colors right next to white or black because the edges will almost always act funny and end up with compression artifacts that spoil the design when the colors move across the screen

    A single pixel edge in the rendered video almost always means that you are working with a non-standard frame size somewhere in your workflow. Media players will default to standard frame ratios and expect standard frame sizes. A video file that is run through a compressor to produce a copy for distribution must be an even number of pixels high and wide and ideally a multiple of 4 pixels so the compression scheme can work properly. If you want a solid color background always add a solid to the bottom layer of your video that is the same size as the composition.

    These rules apply to any software used to create video content. Every NLE, compressor, motion graphics or visual effects software out there does not work well with odd frame sizes (531 X 1907), thin lines, saturated colors next to black or white solid colors, or detailed artwork that does not line up with the pixel grid that defines video.

      OussK
      Community Expert
      OussKCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      December 30, 2018

      try to expand you background by 1% so you will be sure that you cover this one pixel during render.

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