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Compression Master 3 vs. Flip4Mac
This is driving me crazy. I’ve compressed the same clip using Flip4Mac right out of Final Cut Pro and out of Compression Master 3 using the same settings. Hands down, the Flip4 Mac looks better. My Compression Master clips come out looking REALLY pixelated. Any suggestions?
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7 Replies
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Without seeing your clips, I have a few questions to ask. Are you encoding directly from FCP, using the Export>Using Quicktime Conversion, or exporting a QT full-res movie and then using the CM3 standalone encoding suite? I ask, because Popwire makes both a WMV QT encoder, and the CM3 full compression suite. The QT encoder from Popwire is single pass only, while F4M has two-pass options. As far as the quality differences, that could be a matter of opinion. To some people, F4M looks better, because like SV3, it has a tendency to make the images more of the “glossy-photo” type. To other people, CM3 looks better, because it keeps the gamma much more true and is much sharper. But for some, CM3’s WMV output is too sharp. Although, it should never look pixelated at decent bitrates.
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My comparasin protocol:
Flip4Mac
Exporting directly out of Final Cut File>Export>Using QuickTime conversionCompression Master 3
Exporting out of Final Cut File>Export>QuickTime File
Then importing that uncompressed file into Compression master and then exporting it out of the standalone software. I do actually have the option to do a two-pass in both compression master and Flip4Mac, and I tried it and it still didn’t look any better. I’ve got screen shots side by side from the exact settings, and Flip4Mac is SO much better. The compression master clip has huge squares throughout. I’ve tried adjusting the smoothness, sharpness, and no filters at all. Nothing’s helped, except when I double the bitrate. But, then it’s too high to put on my website. (2000 kbps). -
Could you post some test samples and a source somewhere? I’ll try and run a test for you within the next 24 hours.
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Thanks–that would be great. Do you have any suggestions on where to post them?
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Email me through my profile.
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I just saw this post so sorry for not answering earlier. The result you get from CM is NOT what you shall get, we never heard about that kind of pixelating before.
I saw that Charles will get some files from you. If you both can inlcude us in your “off forum” conversation that would be great. If this is a bug we need to resolve it ASAP.
BR, Kay
Popwire -
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