5

SD NTSC pixels are narrower than computer pixels and SD PAL pixels are wider than
computer pixels. As a result, a 720 x 486 pixel image looks different on a computer display
than it does on a video monitor. For example, if you capture a clip of video with a globe
in the picture, export a frame, and look at this frame in a graphics application, you’ll see
something like this:
Looks right
on a video monitor
NTSC square vs. nonsquare pixels example
Looks wrong
on a computer monitor
To display nonsquare pixel video correctly in Motion, choose Correct For Aspect Ratio in
the View pop-up menu above the Canvas.
Note: Because full-raster high-definition video uses only square pixels, its images always
appear correctly when displayed on SD video displays.
Differences in Color Between Computer and Video Graphics
The range of colors that can be displayed on a broadcast video monitor employing the
Rec. 709 video standard for gamut and gamma is different than the range of color that
can be displayed on your computer. For this reason, colors that appear bright and clean
on a video display may seem duller when viewed on your computer.
Further, if you output media that exceeds the “broadcast-legal” range for video, some
colors appear oversaturated, and may “clip” or “bleed” into other parts of the image. This
distortion can be avoided by controlling the palette of colors you use in your graphics
and animations. As you create the composite you’ll be outputting to video, resist the
temptation to use the brightest and most saturated shades of color available.
1428 Appendix B Video and File Formats