4:3 footage into 16:9

Is there a way of converting 4:3 footage into 16:9 without getting the anamorphic bars top and bottom?

I have a client wanting me to edit there promo dvd and it has already been filmed in DV 4:3 PAL. The client wants it in 16:9 so that it plays on there widescreen tv with no bars (due to the black bars screwing up the tv after long periods of playing).

Any ideas??

Jon

The only way is to crop the image to 16:9. You'll lose significan vertical resolution but if you bring it to a production house with a Snell & Wilcox ARC, the results are very good.

HOWEVER, the biggest problem you have is the original movie was framed in 4:3... thus you may have frame issues with you need to deal with in post.

If the quality isn't that important, then just do it on your NLE.

We made a DVD with a mix of HDV, DV 4.3 and DV 16.9.

We placed the 4.3 on the 16.9 timeline and then zoomed in the 4.3 till it filled the screen. Then added abit of sharpness with a filter. The NLE we used did this all in real time but some may not be able to do this. Using this method you will loose abit of the top and bottom of the 4.3 as well.

The end product looked fine on a normal TV and the client (Governemt Department) did not even know.

As Drew said it's not perfect but should be fine for normal folks.

Thanks guys, I'll give it a go....

Jon