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Compressor from FCP tips needed…
I am trying to export a file from FCP, through compressor, to burn on an HD DVD. The original FCP project is HD ProresHQ, and they are 90 minute shows.
I have tried it 2 ways, through FCP out to compressor, and using a QT ref directly in compressor, not using FCP.
Everything was working fine, until I noticed I could make compressor use more of the 8 cores in my MacPro…I set up Qmaster and went back in to try to output through compressor…it seemed to take ALOT longer, and would never get through the files..I would have the AC3 file, but the H.264 file never finished…sometimes it would lock, sometimes it would finish, but not create the QT file.
Can someone check these steps and see if I set up Qmaster correctly, and didn’t forget something?
I opened Qmaster in sys prefs, set it up for 7 instances (i read use 4, i read use 7, tried both ways), then I started sharing…
In Compressor, I chose my QT ref file, chose my HD DVD 90min setting, and chose my destination, 2nd internal 500GB hard drive with plenty of space available
hit submit…then in the submit window, I chose that computer’s cluster, and started to compress it…
it would slowly climb up to 00:32:00, which is what 32 mins or 32 hours? either way, i would let it go overnight, only to see only the audio file and it finish, or only the audio file and it still going…showing about 90% complete…
with using multiple cores, does an H.264 compressed 90 minute HD show take that long? i remember the first couple ones I did were completed within an 8 hour work day using “this computer” in compressor. shouldn’t it be faster with multi cores working? did I overlook some setting that is causing it to bog down?
thanks in advance BTW, there is no Compressor forum to ask this question in that I could find…
Broadway Video, NYC
AVID/FCP editor/engineer -
3 Replies
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Just running off my experience here though i believe others might disagree.
I have found 4 instances on an 8-core is best. Also, i firstly haven’t found going from FCP to Compressor whilst using instances to be too successful. Secondly, I haven’t found going form FCP to Compressor anyway to be successful.
I recommend exporting a same as source QT out of FCP, then bringing that into Compressor. Export time included, i believe this is faster. I never use QT Ref’s after seeing software like Squeeze destroy them. Compressor is not as rock solid as is made out to be, so you have to make it as comfortable as possible.
Good Luck,
RB
Rory Brennan
Editor
New York City -
thanks Rory, so a regular same as source QT, output time is probably long for that too…i’ll try that…and 4 instances instead of 7…do i start sharing, or keep that off, does it matter? sharing just allows other FCPs to see that cluster, right?
Broadway Video, NYC
AVID/FCP editor/engineer -
Yes it could take a while to export but not too bad as it is mostly just copying files rather than transcoding.
Are you using a cluster?? that might also be causing you problems. If not then do not using sharing (I assume you’re talking about the option in submitting jobs for compressing). I believe Qmster is not strong and most clusters i set up die fairly quickly if one machine has any network issues etc.
RB
Rory Brennan
Editor
New York City
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