I understand that the DV specification is for a file of 720x480 pixels, in either a 4:3 or a 16:9 frame.
Why then, when I render-out a test pattern from After Effects at 720x405 pixels and import that into an Xpress DV 16:9 sequence, does it look correct?  Shouldn’t the 405-pixel height of the AE output get stretched into a 480-pixel-high DV frame in Xpress DV?

Another way of asking this question is why does a 720x480 output from AE look stretched in an Avid 16:9 window?

thanks, Craig Umanoff

If you are importing in using the 601 aspect ratio, I would think the 405 frame should look stretched (albeit very slightly). The only way it wouldn't is if you chose one of the maintain options.

why does a 720x480 output from AE look stretched in an Avid 16:9 window?

Because the Avid unfortunately is uncapable of interpreting square pixels correctly when importing into a 16x9 project. It will always convert between square pixels and 4x3. This is a bad thing. The way around it is to create 16x9 graphics in widescreen in square pixels, then resize&squeeze into 601.

I think I read in the old Xpress DV FAQ years ago that 16x9 DV is spec'd to 853x480, not 720x405. Not that it may make a difference or not :)

 it probably is a teeny bit stretched. Find something perfectly circular and look it on screen... perhaps you can the stretch there. if it not stretched I am clueless (as usual)