16:9 on a DV Cam

[GulliverMoore]

Hi, I have a Canon MX2 DV camera (3 chip I think) and I usually shoot it 4:3 video but I noticed a 16:9 "on/ off" option on the menu the other day.

When you turn it on the image on the screen just gets a bit bigger.

What does this mean?

It would be fantastic to be able to shoot in 16:9...

Thanks very much,

Gully

[paglamon]

What does this mean?

It means what you think it means......it will shoot at 16:9 aspect ratio(i.e widescreen).

[GulliverMoore]

Okay that sounds great, so it's not cheating widescreen or anything?

It's not just degrading the image by enlarging it and cutting off the top edges?

Thanks

[paglamon]

If you compare it with 4:3 view, you should be able to SEE a bit more of a particular view(on the LCD) at the sides. Try to capture a frame in 4:3 mode with a tree or pole at the extreme left/right of the LCD.Then capture the same(without moving the camera) using the 16:9 mode.Can you see some areas beyond the tree/pole in this mode?

[GulliverMoore]

No it streches the image vertically, so on the LCD it shows everything but it is warped. Then when I check "anamorphic" in Final Cut Pro the image goes back to normal in 16:9.

But is this final result in Final Cut Pro lesser quality than if I had shot in 4:3?

If not it's slightly annoying the image is stretched but very much worth it if I have true 16:9 on my camera, wish I knew that before.

Thanks very much for your help

Gully