e-content movies

[Tom Wolsky]

Depends on the Windows user. No two are alike. The current export preset for FCP for the web uses H.264 as the codec. This is an outstanding codec, probably the best so far for web compression, much better than anything else that has come prior to it. The user however needs to have QuickTime 7 installed. You could put a link on your page to the QT download page, or you could use some other, now pretty crappy codec, that’s readable by older versions of QuickTime. Or you could use Flip4Mac or PopWire to make a Windows Media Video version of your file. OTOH many Mac users would not be able to read the file.

All the best,

Tom

Author: “Final Cut Pro 5 Editing Essentials” and “Final Cut Express 2 Editing Workshop” Class on Demand “Complete Training for FCP5” DVD

[Enzo Tedeschi]

Tom’s right – there are no gurantees either way, at least not with an efficient codec.

I usually post my stuff online using QT6 compatible (Sorenson 3 codec usually) if I need max compatibility across Win/Mac. Sorenson 3 goes back to QT5, I believe, so it’s very likely that windows users can see it. H.264 is by far the better option, but a lot of Windows users will probably need to download it. On the other hand – it’s bundled now with iTunes, so people get it even if they don’t want it when they install iTunes!

But the best advice is to echo Tom’s suggestion – always add a link for people to download the appropriate player.

Here’s a little something I’ve put up recently using H.264:

https://www.westboundsign.com.au/aboutadog/

This is my usual format for online stuff – I have run into some people, though, particularly in office situations with tight IT, that can’t update their QT to v7. Something to consider.

If you right click on the black in that page and hit “View Source”, you can copy the embed tag and use it to easily get the QT autoplaying etc.

Hope this helps.

Enzo Tedeschi
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Editor
Sydney, Australia

[Richard Davis]

Thanks for the comments folks. I’ve was out of town for awhile so excuse my tardiness in getting back to this.

It seems like I’m getting the idea that if I post a Quicktime movie, both Quicktime for Mac and Quicktime for Windows will read it. Is that right? Before getting some feedback I was assuming I’d have to do a version for people with Macs and post a separate post for people with Windows machines.

I’ve got a Quicksilver dual 1 gig processor and use Final Cut Pro 3 to do videos and export them as Quicktime movies. This is the first time I’ve thought about posting these to the webs but I’ve got some problems. I haven’t upgraded to QT 7 myself because I use OS X 2.8 and I’d lose functionality with some of my programs, so I havent’ thought about trying to get it into QT7. I’m just looking for good quality with small size that the most-est players will play.

As for my current problems, the files for a two minute interview are coming in around 80 megs or so, at least if I want them of high enough quality to look decent on a computer screen. This doesn’t seem right.

So, to sum up”
1) Do Mac and Windows Quicktime players read the same files?
2) Why doesn’t FCP 3 save better quality movies for the size files I’m getting?
3) Yes, I know … I don’t know what I’m doing.

Thanks,
Richard

[Richard Davis]

Perhaps one more question…
Where can I find Internet tutorials on this subject of saving movie files for the web?

Thanks,
Richard

[Enzo Tedeschi]

“It seems like I’m getting the idea that if I post a Quicktime movie, both Quicktime for Mac and Quicktime for Windows will read it. Is that right?”

Yes. Your only stumbling block (not much of one) is that Quicktime is not a standard Windows installation. Users have to intentionally install on their system. Having said that, most Windows users have it installed, and adding a link to the download on your page as mentioned will overcome that hurdle.

“Why doesn’t FCP 3 save better quality movies for the size files I’m getting?”

Encoding is a tricky business, and from memory, FCP was never all that great at it. There are several things to try – different codecs and bitrates, shrink your frame size (if you already haven’t), and in some cases you can get away with a halved bitrate (12.5fps PAL, 15fps NTSC). Half the frame rate = half the filesize in some codecs. Also, are you compressing your audio? A couple of minutes of uncompressed audio will add a good 15 to 20MB to your file. Don’t be afraid to experiment with settings – you can’t break your cut bu outputting a dodgy file 🙂

“Where can I find Internet tutorials on this subject of saving movie files for the web?”

Right here on the COW very soon. I have been in the middle of one that I put on hold due to being very busy – sounds like it’s time to get back onto it and get it finished. Watch this space…

“Yes, I know … I don’t know what I’m doing.”

Don’t stress. Neither did anybody else the first time.

Enzo Tedeschi
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Editor
Sydney, Australia

[Richard Davis]

Thanks Enzo,
I think you’ve got me straighted out a bit, at least given me a starting point. Also, sounds like you nailed my worst file-size transgressions. I’ll try what your suggestions and I think I’ll be headed down the right road.

Richard

[Enzo Tedeschi]

Happy to help. Keep us posted.

Enzo Tedeschi
____________________________
Editor
Sydney, Australia