Export 1024×768

[Phil Huizen]

Does the compressor used in FCP in sequence settings (this is the codec, right?) affect the output when ‘sending to Compressor’?
Thanks,
Phil Huizen

[Phil Huizen]

What gives the maximum quality when editing sources files with H264 codec? Edit in H264 (sequence setting at H264) or ProRes? I know H264 is not a good editing format. And does it matter if you edit using ProRes setting and than switch to H264 just before sending to Compressor??

This will be all, please answer some of my questions 🙂
{Phil Huizen}

[Rafael Amador]

[Phil Huizen] “1. When uploading to Vimeo, should I export as 1024×768 or as 1280×960 (same aspect ratio). What should, theoretically give you better quality?
NOTE: Vimeo sees 1024×768 as SD and 1280×960 as HD. And, what should give the best quality when viewing on iMac.”
That will depends on the footage size. Avoid to blow it up.

[Phil Huizen] “I read that Send to Compressor will utilize the source files and NOT the render files from FCP. So is it true that, when exporting from FCP with Render settings at 25% framerate to a unselfcontained quicktime which you import to compressor will give you a choppy outcome?”
There are two different cases:
– When you “Send to Compressor”, Compressor don’t look at the render files, BUT makes FC render everything again.
– When you export a Reference Movie from FC, the movie will include the render files but you have to make sure that the sequence has been fully rendered. Compressor will use these Render files.
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Phil Huizen]

I understand, but does changing the codec only change the render files, or the files send to Compressor to (in which cases yes and in which cases no)?

[Rafael Amador]

[Phil Huizen] “I understand, but does changing the codec only change the render files, or the files send to Compressor to (in which cases yes and in which cases no)?”
OK.
In case that you “Send to Compressor”, its doesn’t matter the sequence codec. FC de-compress the stuff you put on the sequence, and “send to Compressor” a full Uncompressed 444 picture.
This is the best option when going to Compressor BUT forces to re-render the whole sequence.
In case you are exporting Reference movies, the Reference movie points to the render files. Those have the same codec than the sequence.
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Phil Huizen]

No I don’t export reference movies.
Altough it’s faster because it uses the render files instead of the original clip where it applies the color correction from Color, the Titles, the effects, effects in Motion once again to the original file ALL in compressor, right?

So I would like to know, what settings should I use, to get theorically the best quality (even when it’s not even noticably).

– Same resolution as source
– Codec doesn’t matter (when sending to Compressor) so I go with H264 (same as source) because this is the only codec that will have some real-time playback
– Video Processing set to: Render all YUV material in high-precision YUV
– Render control doesn’t matter: for example setting Frame Rate to 25% for faster rendering doesn’t matter!! And the Checkbox below: ‘Always Use Best Quality When Rendering Movies doesn’t matter too’ (because render files will not be used?)
– What should be done with: Master Templates and Motion Projects – Quality: Best or Normal or Draft? (also under Render Control – Sequence settings)
– System settings: Under playback control: Video Quality Dynamic doesn’t matter because it only affects the ‘playback’? (same with the frame rate)
– System settings: Under playback control: Record: Full (what the heck is this about?)

If someone would be able to check this than that would be amazing!
Thanks,
Phil Huizen

[Rafael Amador]

[Phil Huizen] “Altough it’s faster because it uses the render files instead of the original clip where it applies the color correction from Color, the Titles, the effects, effects in Motion once again to the original file ALL in compressor, right?”
Right.
But sending a Self-contained movie will be always more safe.

[Phil Huizen] “- Codec doesn’t matter (when sending to Compressor) so I go with H264 (same as source) because this is the only codec that will have some real-time playback”
NO.
H264 is not supported by FC. No RT at all.
If you put H264 in an FC time-line, you never know what may happens.
Go Prores.
Set your sequence the way is easier and faster for you to work.
Before your final rendering/export, make sure that rendering is set to Full quality. Beside “Render in High Precision” you may check “Render Motion Effects: BEST”.
Rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Phil Huizen]

Thanks! That makes it more clear. So the other ‘points’ I wrote are true?
And when I set a new sequence up with compressor/codec H264 I can play realtime, or is this something else? I have RT set to unlimited

[Rafael Amador]

[Phil Huizen] “And when I set a new sequence up with compressor/codec H264 I can play realtime, or is this something else? I have RT set to unlimited”
RT is not about being able to play the footage on the sequence but about getting some preview when the sequence needs to be rendered.
When you are working with a supported codec/format, you should be able to put few layers cropped and animated and with some effcts and titles and still have preview without rendering.
I’ve never tried to bring raw H264 to FC, but I guess that as soon you drop any effect or tweak anything on the Motion tab you lose all RT and you get the “Needs Render” on the Canvas.
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Phil Huizen]

You are great, yes you’re right when changing scale or something else in Motion tab it needs to be rendered. But so is, when I have a ProRes sequence.

But I have another question, since I’m always after perfect quality. In Apple Color in settings the export codec is, by default, set to ProRes (HQ) so when I send my FCP H264 sequence to Color and send it back, I see that my sequence codec has been changed. When sending this ‘Sequence 1 (from Color)’ to Compressor, will this change of Codec affect the quality? Or will the changes made in Color directly be applied to the ORIGINAL-file?

And from your answer before: So you can change the render framerate to render faster while editing but you have to put it back to 100% just before sending to Compressor?

THANKS!
Phil Huizen