-
Compressing to Desktop
I hope this isn’t answered elswhere, because I feel like I’ve searched it all. I’m a student working with a professor on a documentary. We need to burn some footage shot in HD onto SD DVD. I tried exporting using compressor and got the message “file error: a file of this name already exists.” I don’t know how to change the name. Then in the compressor screen, I tried choosing MPEG2/AIFF in conjunction with every DVD option given, and set the destination as desktop, and even to an external hard drive. But every time, it goes to the batch monitor and within seconds says “failed.” When I click ‘info’ it just says it’s 100% complete, but the status is ‘failed.’ We’re both novices when it comes to FCP and HD and really need this to work out. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!
-raj
-
5 Replies
-
[atrivedi] “We need to burn some footage shot in HD onto SD DVD.”
If I’m reading your post correctly, you want to make a standard def. DVD using HD footage. If that’s the case, then try copying and pasting your HD timeline into an SD timeline, using a codec like DVCPro 50 or uncompressed 8 bit SD. Render the timeline and then export a self-contained or reference Quicktime movie.
Start Compressor, drag and drop your QT file into the batch window, adjust your encode settings to taste then hit the submit button. The above workflow is extremely over-simplified because you never stated what version of FCP and Compressor you have. I can be more detailed if you were to provide that info, along with your system details, what kind and size of external hard drive you’ve got, etc.
It’s also wise to convert your .aif audio to the DVD industry standard AC3 file format, the main reasons being that AC3 audio takes up much less room on the DVD, leaviing more room for video, and the high bit rates of .aif audio will cause some consumer DVD players to choke.
– Don
-
[atrivedi] “We need to burn some footage shot in HD onto SD DVD. I”
This has been covered numerous times over the past few months actually. You can probably search for DVD and find multiple threads on this.
From FCP. Open your HD Timeline and make sure the timeline is highlighted.
Export > Quicktime Movie
UNcheck “Make Self Contained Movie” at the bottom of the window.
Give the file a new name since you say you’re having issues with this. Something simple like HD Timeline and then assign where you want to export to.
Open Compressor.
Bring in your Quicktime Movie.
Select the DVD Setting of your choice, we usually use Best Quality 90 minutes.
Go into the Inspector.
Ensure that your Aspect Ratio is 16:9
Click Submit.
This will create a 16:9 SD file which will play full frame on a widescreen TV and letterboxed on a standard 4:3 TV.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Broadcast and independent productions.All Things Apple Podcast! https://cowcast.creativecow.net/all_things_apple/index.html
Read my blog! https://blogs.creativecow.net/WalterBiscardi
-
[Don Greening] “If that’s the case, then try copying and pasting your HD timeline into an SD timeline, using a codec like DVCPro 50 or uncompressed 8 bit SD.”
Absolutely no reason for this step. We have been creating standard DVD’s from HD timelines for over three years now and we always create them from the HD original.
You simply bring the HD Quicktime into Compressor and compress using the standard DVD settings at 16:9 aspect ratio. This creates a standard MPEG-2 which will play full screen on a wide screen TV and letterboxed on a standard TV.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Broadcast and independent productions.All Things Apple Podcast! https://cowcast.creativecow.net/all_things_apple/index.html
Read my blog! https://blogs.creativecow.net/WalterBiscardi
-
[walter biscardi] “Absolutely no reason for this step.”
The reason I suggested the step is because I’ve always been told that encode times would be substantially reduced if the HD timeline was converted to an SD timeline first. However, since I’m still working in SD and haven’t had the opportunity to do a test myself I’ll obvioussly defer to your recommendation, Walter.
– Don
-
[Don Greening] “The reason I suggested the step is because I’ve always been told that encode times would be substantially reduced if the HD timeline was converted to an SD timeline first.”
With DVCPro HD at least, we’re not seeing any sort of major render differences in terms of time. A small increase in time for sure, but certainly less than having FCP first render out SD and then compressor rendering the MPEG-2.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Broadcast and independent productions.All Things Apple Podcast! https://cowcast.creativecow.net/all_things_apple/index.html
Read my blog! https://blogs.creativecow.net/WalterBiscardi
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up