I have a project that uses a 3840x2160 MOV file. I want to set the project to output the video at 1920x1080. When I import the mov file, it appears that Shotcut shrinks the clip to 1920x1080. If I export a frame from the clip, I get a frame that is 1920x1080. That is probably the best thing to do for most projects. However, what I would like is the clip remain as a 3840x2160 within a 1920x1080 viewport (or monitor). This will give me maximum resolution of the source image in the final video which would be an amplification of the source in the viewport of 2. I can use the Size, Position, Rotate filter to properly position the clip in the viewport.
Does this mean you want to crop or pan the 3840x2160 video? And your concern is that quality will be lost if the video is shrunk to 1920x1080 and then zoomed in with the SPR filter?
If so, your request is already happening by design. The full resolution of the source is internally used when zooming, not the 1920x1080 shrunk version.
Oh, that is good news. If I understand you correctly, I can resize the video to 3840x2160 and then position as necessary without loss of resolution using the SPR filter. I will try that. Thank you.
I am having trouble understanding your response. The video is 3840x2160 but you want to resize it to 3840x2160? If you output 1920x1080, from a 3840x2160 clip, you will lose resolution - unless you use a filter to crop out exactly 1/4 of the source clip - in which, 1/4 of the source will be preserved perfectly, and 3/4 will be lost because it was cropped out.
If your final goal is to export 1920x1080, then set the Settings > Video Mode to 1920x1080. This will ensure that what you preview during editing will match what you get out when you export.
I do not understand what this means. Maybe you could provide a screenshot to illustrate what you want?
If @Austin 's guess is correct, and you want to crop out part of the source clip, then I recommend:
First try using the Crop: Source Video Filter. This filter is the most efficient. And it operates on the original source resolution (not a scaled down version)
Second, try using the Size, Position & Rotate Video Filter. This one also operates on the original source clip (when possible). But it uses more CPU resources because of the additional capabilities it offers.
Austin’s guess was correct. I started a new project with an output resolution of 1920x1080 at 30fps. I then imported the mov file. Using the Size, Position, and Rotate filter, I enlarged the file to 3840x2160 and then moved the subject to where it should be in the frame. As Brian pointed out I would lose 3/4 of the frame, and that is what I wanted.
What I meant by a viewport is like this. Imagine having a cardboard sheet with a hole a fixed size. Behind it is a picture that is four times the size of the cutout. The object of interest (OOI) is small so I want to place the OOI at an optimal spot within the viewport.
I tried the SPR filter before I read Brian’s remarks and found that it did the trick. For educational purposes, I will try the Crop: Source Video Filter as I am not familiar with it.