Jerry -
You're absolutely right!
Over in the DZ Forum, there's been a bit of discussion of a similar thing...
http://directorzone.cyberlink.com/posts/list/2896.page;jsessionid=D65DB488713767CF52855AEF26DC959B.web3
Beginning with an image that matches the AR of the project will yield a better result, which is tricky with a scan of a newspaper column! In this case (with a long narrow image), I've found it best to layer it onto a background in a separate image editor.
What does that have to do with Dave's problem? Well - if those scanned images can't be cropped to match the project AR, they'd be best "mounted" on a high res background in a separate editor.
In a similar DZ discussion, some time back, we were comparing different methods of cropping/resizing to match aspect ratio. It was found that cropping in an image editor or PhotoNow & using PD's image stretch gave the best results.
I did this comparison test using an original .jpg image - 4752x3168 (6.63MB). In each test, the original image is being cropped to 16:9.
Test 1: Crop image in
graphics editor > import into PD
Image when cropped - 4752x2669 .jpg file (7.52MB)
Import into PD > insert in timeline > Take snapshot
Snapshot properties - 4752X2673 .bmp file (48.45MB)
Test 2: Import original image into PD > Crop in
PhotoNow
Import original .jpg image - 4752x3168 (6.63MB)
Crop in PhotoNow - 4752x2674 .jpg file (6.0MB)
Snapshot properties - 4752x2673 .bmp file (48.45MB)
Test 3: Import original image into PD > Use
Image Stretch
Import original .jpg image - 4752x3168 (6.63MB)
Insert in main video track > right click - set image stretch mode > select Crop > take snaphot
Snapshot properties - 4752x2673 .bmp file (48.45MB)
Test 4: Import original image into PD > Insert in
PiP track > Stretch manually to fill screen
Import original .jpg image - 4752x3168 (6.63MB)
Insert in PiP track > take snapshot
Snapshot properties - Resolution 640x360 .bmp file (900.05KB)
Test 5: Import original image into PD > Crop in
Motion Designer
Import original .jpg image - 4752x3168 (6.63MB)
Crop in Motion Designer > take snapshot
Snapshot properties - Resolution 640x360 .bmp file (900.05KB)
Cheers - Tony
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