-
Best way to Achieve a Target File Size (H.264)
Hello I am exporting a 7 and a half minute video using the Quicktime Conversion and the H.264 codec, and I would like to get the file size to be about 60 MB. Unfortunately there is no way to tell FCP that I want the export file to be X number of MBs, nor does it estimate the file size when you put in your settings. So what is the best way to achieve the file size I want?
–Thanks.
-
8 Replies
-
Use Compressor. When you apply a setting it will give you an estimate of the file size. You have to play with frame sizes and data rates to get the target size you want. Start with one of the presets and work from there. Seven and a half minutes in 60MB is perfectly doable.
All the best,
Tom
Class on Demand DVDs “Complete Training for FCP6,” “Basic Training for FCS2” and “Final Cut Express Made Easy”
Author: “Final Cut Pro 5 Editing Essentials” and “Final Cut Express 3.5 HD Editing Workshop” -
Even when using Compressor (with Quicktime Export Components) the estimated file size comes up unknown.
-
The setting has to be applied to a file for it to make a estimate. If that’s not working or you, you’ll have to tell me what you’re doing exactly because it works or me.
All the best,
Tom
Class on Demand DVDs “Complete Training for FCP6,” “Basic Training for FCS2” and “Final Cut Express Made Easy”
Author: “Final Cut Pro 5 Editing Essentials” and “Final Cut Express 3.5 HD Editing Workshop” -
In Final Cut I am sending my timeline to compressor (file > Export > using compressor), then in the file list I select the pull down and do a new export using QuickTime export components (applies them to that timeline), put in my settings, then go back to the summary part of the settings window and there it says “Estimated file size: unknown”
-
Why are you using QuickTime Export Components? Just use QuickTime Movie, set the codec, the frame size, the data rate, the audio compression, apply it to the clip and in the Inspector see the estimated file size. Even easier start with one of the Apple presets, duplicate it, and tweak it as needed.
BTW, you’re probably better off exporting a QuickTime Movie either self-contained or reference and bringing that into Compressor. It’s much faster.
All the best,
Tom
Class on Demand DVDs “Complete Training for FCP6,” “Basic Training for FCS2” and “Final Cut Express Made Easy”
Author: “Final Cut Pro 5 Editing Essentials” and “Final Cut Express 3.5 HD Editing Workshop” -
Hi Tom,
Don’t you tend to get better results coming straight out of FCP. I thought that if you go out of FCP then compressor looks at the original files. But if you export a quicktime self contained, then you are make a new file for compressor to look at?? This may only be relevent in certain situations but it would be nice to know. I shot and edit HDV then send it to compressor for SD encoding.
Hey Benjamin, did you find a widget to help you with the target disk size?
-
That’s the theory. If you can see the difference you’re a better man than I. If it is better, it’s such a marginal improvement that the time expenditure isn’t worth it to me.
All the best,
Tom
Class on Demand DVDs “Complete Training for FCP6,” “Basic Training for FCS2” and “Final Cut Express Made Easy”
Author: “Final Cut Pro 5 Editing Essentials” and “Final Cut Express 3.5 HD Editing Workshop” -
Sometime if I am working in a NTSC timeline with HDV footage then I would notice. but then quicktime is doing the transcoding from HDV to SD. But I would think this comes into play more and more with the whole mixed timeline thing. But this is an old habit, and I have not changed much in two years. I wanted to go with whole “best practices” thing
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up