Re sizing of photos for DVD television slide show

[stejen]

Hello,

I came across this site a few weeks ago. Since then I've been reading and reading. So many helpful posts full of information.
I have a question I'm hoping to get a definite answer to.
Currently I am in the initial stages of creating a large show, consisting of approx. 450 photos as well as video clips.
I have scanned all the photos as TIF files as I wanted to archive the photos as well.
I have used PS elements to edited all the photos. I'm still experimenting with pan and zoom in PS and Premiere elements. (There will be quite a bit of panning and zooming)
They will eventually be exported to Premiere elements for added effects and to create a DVD for NTSC 4:3 television viewing.
From my reading I know to break the project into smaller elements then recompile all the pieces at the end.
Also from my my readings I have learned that it is important to re size my photos for this project. (The whole 720x480 thing).
This is were I'm not 100% clear.
I've read 1000x750 is the max. size photos should be. Also following links provided in these forums I've read on Adobe site 1000 width is the most needed.
So when I re size my photos with 1000 width set and have "constrain proportions" checked the result is a photo 1000 width, but the height most of the time is greater then 750.
So, should I not have the constrain portions option unchecked and input the 1000x750?

[ATR]

Stejen

RE: NTSC DV Standard, Sizing for

Where are you doing the resizing, in the Full Editor/Image Menu/Resize/Image Size/Image Size dialog or via File Menu/Process Multiple Files/Process Multiple Files dialog?

No matter, you should not be running into problems, but just uncheck the "Constrain Proportions" and double check that the resized image does not exceed the value of 1000 x 750 pixels that you set.

There is no magic number. You want to avoid the program having to do excess work resizing to the final sizing of the DVD-VIDEO format (720 x 480 pixels). Also, you want to make sure that you maintain the ratio 4:3, so that the program does not have to work at correcting to 4:3 if you ratio is off that figure.

There are times when you can get away with a FEW oversized photos, but with 450 oversized photos you are asking for trouble.

I caution you ahead of time to make sure you have the resources for a project of this size. Do your homework by running a mini test run before the grand project.

When you get to Burn to Disc in Premiere Elements pay attention to the burn dialog where it says Fit to Available Space, Space Required, Bitrate. With a DVD 4.7 MB/120 minutes, it is best to keep to 60 to 90 minutes max. If you see the Bitrate lowered by the program in the burn dialog, then you can expect lower quality end product. General rule: lower bitrate, more compression, lesser quality.

ATR

[stejen]

Thanks for the quick response ATR.
I figured it was only a matter of time before you jumped in to help.

The resizing I'm doing is through full edit, process multiple files.

Thank you for the words of caution.
I have been running mini tests using DVDRW for the last few days.
The project consists of 35yrs of photos, from an annual family/friend pre Christmas get together.
I have organised the photos into individual years.
I plan on treating each year as its own little project. Then compiling all the years for the final project.

Well I'm off to re size these photos again.

Thanks

[ATR]

stejen

You should do OK. Your preparation should put you in a good position to move forward more smoothly through the project.

But, if you run into any blocks, do not hesitate to ask the smallest or the largest questions. I will try to give you my best "it works for me" or "from what I have read" answers. Others looking in will join in to share ideas and suggestions. Keep in mind that often there is more than one way to achieve a goal in these products. It is up to you to decide what works for you.

Good luck.

ATR

[stejen]

Well I've re sized all the photos to 1000x750.
For there the majority, there is not any substantial visual difference.
Although for some of the photos the image now appears to be squished.
For all those photos I'll have to play around with the size I guess.
It's the photos that were taller then wider that have been squished.

[ATR]

When you have the portrait orientation as well as the landscape orientation for your photos, it is best to batch resize the portrait separate from the landscape.

Remember, for portrait 750 W x 1000 H and landscape 1000 W x 750 H in that Process Multiple Files dialog. You will no doubt end up with black borders for the portrait oriented photos.

ATR

[stejen]

ATR

Thanks once again.
Once again I'll be going through all these photos and resizing.
I know this prep work will pay off in the end.
I wasn't even thinking portrait and landscaping when I was batch re sizing.