How to convert from 16:9 to 4:3 without affecting quality?

[jamesk57273853]

What is the best way to convert my 16:9 video into 4:3 without affecting the HD quality of the video? I started a new sequence and changed the settings to DV- PAL Standard 48khz, which would make it 4:3, however the overall quality suffered.  Any thoughts on how to keep the HD quality? I also changed the export format to H.264 but it shows up good quality SD at best.

[Moved from the Premiere Pro Japanese forum to the English forum - moderator]

[Szalam]

The DV-PAL sequence is a very small resolution. You need to create a sequence that uses square pixels, but is still 1080 pixels tall. So, it would be something like 1440x1080.

What is your intended use for this video? Why must the aspect ratio change?

[Meg The Dog]

Do you want the HD video in the 4:3 version letterboxed or center cut?

Take a screen shot of your sequence settings and post that here.

jamesk57273853  wrote

however the overall quality suffered.

Well, you are moving from HD resolution to SD resolution so there will be an impact to the picture.

MtD

[excited_Genie16B8]

Edit in a normal HD sequence and add black bars to the sides.