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Export for Mac and PC
Hello,
Today someone asked me, “How do I export a file out of FCP that will play on both a Mac and a PC.”
I wasn’t totally positive, but this is how I answered:
“It’s not about the file being exported, it’s about the player. All the codecs exported out of FCP are some type of Quicktime file, so Quicktime Player is needed on the PC if one wants to play a file from FCP on a PC. If a PC doesn’t have Quicktime player, a plug-in is available for FCP to export for Windows Media Player for PC with that program.”
I feel I gave the correct answer because I’ve exported quicktime files and sent them to a client who owns a PC. He then could watch them without a problem, most likely because he uses Quicktime player, not Windows Media Player.
Was I correct or is there a “universal” codec that can be exported out of FCP?
Thanks.
Robert J. Grauert, Jr.
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2 Replies
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Well, everyone can play Flash video, but it can’t be exported out of FCP without 3rd party apps.
Quicktime will play on PCs that install the Quicktime drivers. Most people can do this, but some can’t – due to unwillingness, lack of computer savvy, or strict corporate firewalls.
Bear in mind that Quicktime on a PC isn’t the friendliest bit of software – constantly advising to upgrade to QT Pro, wanting to become the default media player, etc.
So, to be as accommodating as possible, Flash video is the way. But, its entirely reasonable to expect a PC user to be able to play a QT file.
(or you could make an mpeg-1. yuk!)
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Hi Rob,
You are right. There is not this kind of universal format.
In PC you need QT to read .mov files, and not all the codecs are readable.
In MAC you need WMP to do the same with WMV.
Rafael
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