What format is it?

[STORMDAVE]

Is it under warranty?

Composite is going to look REALLY bad.

[vortigern]

The lead is a special one out from the camera with a Sony plug and socket. The only option you get is composite via an RCA phono plug audio the same. However to set the camera to output 16:9 is something I did not do. I shall try this later with the other suggestions. There is no s output on the HC3 sadly. I must get it to Sony for repair which is about £200 UK. Thanks for th answer.

[antonsvideo]

1. don't use composite, I am sure the camera has S-Video behind some hidden cover

2. set camera menu to output 16:9 SD from video connectors

3. set your project to D1 16:9

4. click capture, input settings and set S input to 16:9 D1

[vortigern]

The firwire link on my Sony HC3 camera has broken. I am reduced for the time being until a repair can be effected to using the Composite connection into my PCI X NX card. The original was shot in HDV which is by definition 16:9 but what format comes out from the composite connection? It cannot be HDV that is for certain but what format do I have? Looking at the preview window when editing using 4.5c everything looks double squashed. I have set the presets as 16:9 in the project but perhaps I should use 4:3. Its a puzzle to be sure any ideas please?