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paule44110055
Participant
January 30, 2016
Answered

How to set project in 4:3

  • January 30, 2016
  • 3 replies
  • 35042 views

I use 4:3 for pretty much everything. I'm using Premier Elements in Win10.

1.  How do I make that my default setting?

2.  How do I transform at 16:9 file into 4:3?

Thanks

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Ann Bens

    When opening a new Elements project (whatever the settings are) the first thing you do is drag a 4:3 SD clip into the timeline, that forces the project to set to 4:3.

    3 replies

    P
    pixelized007
    Participating Frequently
    June 2, 2020

    tried that. didn't work. please advise.

    S
    Steve Grisetti
    Legend
    January 30, 2016

    Where is the video coming from that you plan to edit? Is it coming from a miniDV camcorder? Are you using photographs? As I'm sure you know, most modern video, including high-def, is 16:9. Older, standard definition video was 4:3.

    Assuming you're using a current version of Premiere Elements, it's fairly simple to force a project to 4:3 standard definition (720x480) and to keep it as your default.

    But Bill makes a very good point. If you turn 16:9 into 4:3 you only have two options: Either crop off the sides of your video or float your video inside a 4:3 frame so that there is black above and below your video in the video frame. Which would you prefer?

    B
    Community Expert
    Bill SpragueCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 30, 2016

    Steve,

    You and I both know you know a lot more about this than I do.  But....

    4:3  or 4 divided by 3 is 1.333.

    720 divided by 480 is 1.5.

    640 divided by 480 is 1.333, or a match for 4:3!

    The OP's 16x9, or 192x1080, doesn't match anything at 1.777.

    Of the available presets, don't you have to pick 640x480 to end up with a 4:4 final frame?

    Bill

    S
    Steve Grisetti
    Legend
    January 30, 2016

    720x480 animorphic and 640x480 square pixels both give you a 4:3 frame, Bill.

      B
      Community Expert
      Bill SpragueCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      January 30, 2016

      I've not done this before, but I though it would be worth a try.  You didn't say which version of PrE you have.  I use 13 on Win10.

      I started a  new project using a project preset at 640x460.  I used DSLR > DSLR 640x480p60.  That gave me the right preview screen shape and ratio.  There may be other choices for 640x480.

      I use Add Media to load a 16:9 clip from an HD camera.  It displayed in that ratio with black bands top and bottom.  To fill the screen, I clicked in the middle of the preview window and "crop lines" appeared.  I slid them to fill the screen and then moved the image to pick the part I wanted to keep.   You will probably have to do this for each clip, but it is quick.


      I output using Computer > AVCHD, picked a MP4 preset, entered the Advanced settings and force a 640 x 480 ratio.  The output played in the 4:3 ratio on my computer.

      If someone knows a better way, please help!

      Bill

        P
        paule44110055Author
        Participant
        February 3, 2016

        Hi there.  Sorry I haven't responded sooner.  Been on the road and didn't have good wifi. 

        So I tried what was suggested:  >project settings >DSLR > 720p.  Then I opened project and imported a 16:9 media (.mov) file.  The preview window opened in 16:9, even though I'm wanting 4:3.  Then I looked a project settings.  It shows I'm in 720p.  But in the windows below, it's saying my frame size is 1280 x 720.  That's still lookingi 16:9 to me. 

        So I'm afraid I haven't gotten a step-by-step reply to my problem. 

        Here's my complaint.  I'm not finding any simple direct place to preset everything in 4:3.  That is what I need for the standard definition cable system I do shows for.  When I open a new project, it comes up preset in 1280HD in project settings.  I can't find anyplace to change or force change to 720 x whatever to get 4:3.

        The problem is I have to open a "new project."  That "project" won't let me make any aspect ratio changes.  So I then have to I have to go to yet another  "new project".   That's where I work my way to DSLR > 720p.  But again, (see second sentence in this reply) I'm NOT finding a clear way to: 1) make it a 4:3 setting every time I open my Elements 14, nor; 2) how to transform an imported 16:9  (FinalCut Pro language here) to a 4:3 in the preview window. 

        I'm running Premier Elements 14 on Win10. 

          Ann Bens
          Community Expert
          Ann BensCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
          Community Expert
          February 3, 2016

          When opening a new Elements project (whatever the settings are) the first thing you do is drag a 4:3 SD clip into the timeline, that forces the project to set to 4:3.

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