Can't create or render 4:3 project

[mary kaitlins16873821]

When I try to create a new project and export it with a 4:3 aspect ratio, both the preview and the exported video are in 16:9. I'm working with Adobe Premiere Elements 14 on a Windows 8 PC.

My current steps are:

1) Open Premiere Elements, click on File > New Project.

2) I click on "Change Settings" under Project Settings in the pop-up, and select HD 1080i 30 under NTSC and AVCHD. The frame size is listed as 1440h 1080v (1.3333)

**I've tried checking "Force selected Project Setting on this project" and leaving unchecked, same outcome

3) I throw random PNGs and music on the timeline, then File > Export and Share.

4) Under Devices tab, I select the 1440 x 1080 resolution.

The video exports as 16:9. Under General project settings, resolution is still listed as 1440 x 1080. Am I missing something?

[Bill Sprague]

Changing aspect ratios effectively wasn't included as a feature until the very latest versions.  I no longer have version 14 so I can't test it for you.   

However, when I try to duplicate your workflow on a current version, it seems to work.  I can make force a 1440 x 1080i project, import a few random PNGs and export with 1440x1080 specs.    The output file details display 1440x1080.  

What may be the issue is "scale to frame size" settings.  There is a check box in the General Setting area to do that or you can right click on a clip in the timeline.  It will fit the PNG into the preview window.  At output the 1440x1080 video is displayed without any black areas.

[Ann Bens · Accepted solution]

HD 1080i 30 or rather 1440h 1080v (PAR 1.3333) is a HDV widescreen setting.

If you want 1440x1080 as in 4x3 the PAR needs to be 1.0.

You won't be able to change the PAR in E14 or any other Elements version.

[mary kaitlins16873821]

Ah, I see. Didn't think to check that.

Thank you!

[Ann Bens]

You can have a crack at this

(6) How To Create 1440p and 2160p (4K) Projects in Premiere Elements – Custom Sequence Presets - You...

[Bill Sprague]

I discovered I knew nothing about "PAR".  My excuse is that I started my video hobby when "1920x1080p60 HD" was the "new" standard.  I saw reference to "square pixels", but could ignore it.  I had to look it up to find that "PAR" means "Pixil Aspect Ratio" and found that various formats over time had differences.   One Adobe article attempts to explain it:  https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/premiere-elements/using/aspect-ratios-field-options.html#:~:text=Pixel%20....