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best H.264 compression out of FCP
Been working in FCP for years and do a lot of exporting H.2’s for client review. Often still using DV sequence in FCP and then export QT movie or a reference, then stick that movie into compressor preset for large download 800k H.264. Been noticing that the titles don’t look nearly as good as when I export directly out of the FCP sequence, using the same exact preset in the QT exporter. Ran a multitude of tests, using compressor, Quicktime Pro, even Mpeg streamclip to export…and they all look like crap compared to coming straight out of FCP sequence. But the prob with doing that is that it takes longer and I can’t work in FCP while it’s compressing. Also like to run multiple ones in compressor overnight.
I recall compressor doing a better job with an exported QT or reference.
Perplexing. Any thoughts?
scott -
19 Replies
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Using a ref file is no different then a self-contained clip except larger files size.
Have you tweak you compressor settings?
Turning on Frame Controls?
Upping your data rate?Chris Tompkins
Video Atlanta LLC -
[scott Patterson] “Been noticing that the titles don’t look nearly as good as when I export directly out of the FCP sequence, using the same exact preset in the QT exporter.”
That’s because you’re using the DV codec and hitting the files twice with DV compression.
Go to Sequences>>Settings and change the compressor to ProRes 422, then re-render the sequence. Now, after exporting a self contained file as your master, and using that in Compressor to make your Web videos you will see a huge difference.
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.comPOST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
A forum host of Creative COW’s Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums. Formerly host of the Apple Final Cut Basics, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.
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I’m using DV sequence because that’s the native compression from DV tape. Going up to 422 is not going to save me any time, and i don’t see how it will ever increase quality. will try it. The exported QT should be the same DV compression as the original footage.
I haven’t messed with the Compressor settings as well.
The oddest thing of it all is that using the QT expport in FCP of “Broadband High” looks great, while using the same setting in QT pro on the same footage only that it is exported from fcp first (either a self contained or reference)..still looks like crap. very odd.
(What looks good and crisp coming out of QT pro is the Iphone setting, but the frame size is 480×320, not the needed 480 by 360.) -
Change your sequence, this is done all the time w/DV footage or other. This will improve all grfx/effects/layering greatly.
Chris Tompkins
Video Atlanta LLC -
[Chris Tompkins] “Change your sequence, this is done all the time w/DV footage or other. This will improve all grfx/effects/layering greatly.”
That’s precisely what changing the compressor in Sequence>>Settings does.
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.comPOST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
A forum host of Creative COW’s Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums. Formerly host of the Apple Final Cut Basics, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.
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[scott Patterson] “I’m using DV sequence because that’s the native compression from DV tape.”
The reason I’m a forum leader is because I know things you don’t know.
Do you want help, or would you rather debate with me?
Trust me, if you search this forum for “DV compression” you will see years of very precise explanations from me on this very subject.
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.comPOST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
A forum host of Creative COW’s Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums. Formerly host of the Apple Final Cut Basics, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.
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Hi David,
to make it clear: do you advise to change compressor in seq settings from DV to ProRes 422 in order to increase render quality if I’m gonna end up doing some deliverables for Internet and DVD? Material captured as DV.Free-lance fcp editor in Moscow
http://www.mokaeff.com -
[Everest Mokaeff] “do you advise to change compressor in seq settings from DV to ProRes 422 in order to increase render quality if I’m gonna end up doing some deliverables for Internet and DVD? Material captured as DV.”
Affirmative! The difference in your video won’t be huge, though it certainly won’t suffer as much from generational loss, but the difference in text and graphics will be like night and day.
BTW, after changing the compressor to ProRes 422 and re-rendering, exporting a self contained QT at current settings yields a ProRes 422 file. Keep that in memory as it’s useful when trying to figure out how things work under the hood.
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.comPOST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
A forum host of Creative COW’s Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums. Formerly host of the Apple Final Cut Basics, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.
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[Everest Mokaeff] “do you advise to change compressor in seq settings from DV to ProRes 422 in order to increase render quality if I’m gonna end up doing some deliverables for Internet and DVD?”
Right.
And set “Render in High Precision”. “Render Motion Effects: BEST” also help to get a better master.
rafael -
tried a 422 test, and sent the 422 clip through Compressor (and also QT pro) and still the graphics look bad. Even worse than the DV sequence when compressed straight out of FCP. This way looks great and the data rate and size of the file is perfectly fine. Still just can’t figure out why i can’t get this quality using the 480×360 setting outside of FCP. The LAN setting is looking fine in compressor. and even the 360×240 medium quality setting looks better than high. bizarre
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