Exporting self contained mpeg-2 from FCP 5

[Bret Williams]

[Lynch_55] “Unfortunately FCP 5 doesn’t make a simple solution for exporting mpeg-2 videos that are self contained. “

They do, and it’s called Compressor. It should be one of your export options. It’ll open Compressor and it has some export options for mpeg 2 that are fairly straightforward. The options are based on your show length and desired quality.

Since it’s mpeg2 you’re looking for I assume your client is going to author a DVD. If not, you may want to check with them about the specs they want. Frame rate, bit rate, file size, etc… Especially if it’s being designed to play on specific computer hardware like laptops for salesmen in the field or something like that.

[Lynch_55]

Re: Bret

I have worked with compressor to create mpeg2’s many times for DVDSP…but that is not a self contained file – the audio is always separate in AC3 or aiff.

I have looked around at settings for the mpeg2 in compressor but cant find anything to enable audio with video…maybe im overlooking something?

[Lynch_55]

Re: bret

I took a look at your reel- looks pretty good, I like the work. What are you exporting to get your files looking like that, and playing like that on your site? ie: settings? player? format?

[Alexander Serpico]

yes it is a simple solution…. you make them mpeg-1 muxed (for web setting)
i believe the reason compressor doesnt have this as a possible setting is because they dont feel its needed (why would you use mpeg-2 for the internet, unless you had a telestream box but thats what it does). yes this should completely be possible, but thats just apple for you.

if you really need it done, any other compression program (cleaner, squeeze, compression master, ffmpegx, etc.) can do it.
FFMpegX is free, and you can use it to mux your video and audio files created in compressor.

[Bret Williams]

Oh, sorry I didn’t think about the self contained audio. But I guess my point is still the same. Mpeg2 is pretty much for DVD production, no? I just don’t know. I’ve never seen an mpeg2 file ever used for any other purpose.

Thanks for the complimenets on the reel. I encoded those clips with Cleaner 6, using sorensen 3 codec, 15fps, and about 500kb/sec data rate, mp3 audio encoding.

But the new h264 is better at even lower data rates, but your visitors have to have the latest QT.