All about h.264

[Walter Biscardi]

[Tony Yarven] “OK so I need to get my head around h.264 and why its a good format with low file sizes. Is it always the best option for online video?”

High quality at a low data rate, that’s why we all love it so much.

No, it’s not always the best option for online video, some websites do not support Quicktime. in those cases most folks use Flash files.

Here is Apple’s H.264 reference page.

https://www.apple.com/quicktime/technologies/h264/

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
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Biscardi Creative Media

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[Ben Holmes]

When I’m asked how to encode HD video for the web – simple answer (barring the flash issue Walter mentions): Use the Apple TV setting in export options. This makes lovely 720p h.264 ideal for embedding or uploading to sites like Vimeo, and it’s pretty quick from FCP (say 5-6 mins for a 2 minute edit in 1080i). If I’m sending it, not uploading it, I change the file extension from .m4v to .mov so it won’t try to install itself in iTunes…

Just thought I’d share a tip.

Ben

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[Brian Mccartney]

Actually, H.264 is a supported video codec for Flash since ver 9. We encode LOTS of H.264 for flash streaming.

I think it it probably the most versatile codec for the web. It has a good balance between bitrate and quality. Using it in a Flash player enables you to deliver content cross platform and cross browser.

[John Doggett-williams]

Michael Glissing mentioned h.264 and mpeg 4 are the same.

Also I saw it recommended that h.264 300 kps is a good codec to send a sample file. Can someone explain the difference between that and just straight h.264?

John doggett-williams

[Will Salley]

H.264 is the specification subset, 300kps is the data rate (300 kiloBITS per second).

H.264 is always MPEG-4, but MPEG-4 is not always h.264.

MPEG-4 is the codec (encoder/decoder)

Quicktime is an encoding/playback application. Sometimes called a “container” app. (others are Windows Media Encoder/Player, Adobe Media Encoder/Flash Player) There are also specific standalone encoders that tend do do one type of encoding very well…and then there’s Autodesk Cleaner, also known as Media Cleaner, that is sort of the swiss army knife of encoders – not unlike Apple Compressor.

Primary System Info –
Mac Pro 2×3.2 Quadcore – 10.6.2 – QT 7.6.3 – 20 GB RAM – nvidia8800GT – SATA internal & external storage – Blackmagic Multibridge Pro – Open GL 1.5.10 – Wacom Intous2 tablet – AJA io

[John Doggett-williams]

That’s great Will, thanks, a clear explanation is hard to come by.

John doggett-williams

[Rob Lafond]

Are you exporting it from FCP? I am trying to figure the best way to encode in h.264 that will work in a flash container. I am to encode h.264 .mov but they are not working in a flash player…

[Rafael Amador]

Hi Rob,
Just change the “,mov” extension by “,flv”.
Rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com