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Exporting – the most compatable format?
Hi,
I need to export a movie (clocking in at 2min) – it needs to be put on a CD-ROM. The max file size I can have is 250meg. Ideally at 720 X 576 resolution.
What would be the best codec / format for me to export to so the file will play on a PC and Mac?
If possible, without the need of downloading extra codecs for it to work.
I have managed to export as a mpeg4 / mp4, & h.261 – they are real small files, and good quality – but will the work on a PC? I have no PC so it’s hard for me to test them.
Apologies if this is a real newbie question, but it’s the first time I have experience in this area.
ANY help is greatly appreciated.
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6 Replies
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[Lawrence Vaughan] “If possible, without the need of downloading extra codecs for it to work.”
and there lies the issue.
You should put an installable codec on the cdrom with the movie.
Thats as good as it will get. -
H.264 is usually a good choice. Quicktime, iTunes, and Flash can all play it. Generally a computer will have at least one of those on it.
Well, home computers. If this is for a corprate environment you might have to go with Windows Media. You’ll need to buy a Flip4Mac encoder to do that. THen Windows can see it fine, but in that case a Mac can only view it if they’ve downloaded the Flip4Mac player.
So it comes down to your audience and who they are. Do you want to:
A) Tell PC users to download QT or upgrade to the newest Flash.
B) Tell Mac users to download the free FLip4Mac plugin.
C) Put both an H.264 and a Windows Media File on the same disc and let users choose which one they want to play.
I’d pick a different answer depending on where the discs are going, so I can’t tell you which one to choose.
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Good point. The CD will be for home users.
If i export a WMV what codec should I use?
Also – sound’s like i’ll do a h.264 too. Can anyone give me a link for the codec for pc users if they want to play this? I cannot find one anywhere. -
WMV is the codec.
For H.264 they need to install QuickTime 7. Just give the link to the Apple QuickTime page.
All the best,
Tom
Class on Demand DVDs “Complete Training for FCP6,” “Basic Training for FCS2” and “Final Cut Express Made Easy”
Author: “Final Cut Pro 5 Editing Essentials” and “Final Cut Express 3.5 HD Editing Workshop” -
Excellent, thank you.
But what compressor for the WMV? Surely if i make a windows movie file it’s going to be a big file? -
Download the free flip4mac player:
https://www.flip4mac.com/wmv_download.htm
You just use Quicktime, it’s a plug-in that lets you view and export WMV files. The free one will let you do a 30 second test export. You can play with that and see what you can do. If you like it, you can buy one of the full version to export the whole thing:
https://www.flip4mac.com/store_wmv.htm
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