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Looking for the best workflow for the highest quality
I am currently working as an editor for a company producing videos for the web. We have our own server that we post to (i.e. not youtube or vimeo) and it has fairly tight restrictions for what the videos need to be. They require a 640×360 .MOV file that is at the absolute maximum 500MB. Now I am editing 2 to 3 minute videos and have been able to get the videos to work fine under these conditions but I was wondering if there were any changes to my workflow that could make the end product look better and less compressed.
Currently I:
Convert all files to .MOV with iSkysoft Converter (when using footage from multiple different cameras)
Import to Final Cut Pro 7
Export using Quicktime Conversion (MOV H.264)I know quicktime conversion is not popular for videos but I can’t seem to get a better image quality when using compresser. Maybe I need help with my compresser settings.
Anywho, any sort of help would be appreciated. Thanks!
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7 Replies
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I convert with H.264. My FCP sequence is set to DV/DVCPRO – NTSC.
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Thanks I will definitely try working more with Apple Pro Res 422. The only problem is my converter doesn’t have that as an option for a codec. Again that is only necessary to use when I’m doing multi-cam shoots. The majority of these projects are single cam in which case I can definitely log and transfer as Pro Res to a Pro Res sequence. Going with the theme here, should I use an Apple Pro Res 422 setting in Compressor?
Thanks again! This is exactly what I was looking for.
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[Evan Cox] “The only problem is my converter doesn’t have that as an option for a codec. “
So get a decent converter.
You haven’t mentioned which is your original source footage, but most formats can be transcoded by FC through Log&Transfer.
Edit with the original picture size and export a Prores master.
Then downscale and compress to H264 with Compressor.
rafael -
Yeah when I’m shooting these events single cam I’m shooting 1080 – 60p AVCHD on a Sony NXCam. Certain events require multiple cameras which requires us to use what we have (various Sony Camcorders and FlipCams) which create different file types. Using the converter that I’ve been supplied with but will look into a better one. Thanks! This is all very helpful!.
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So I guess my last question would be, why is exporting a self contained QT video (ProRes 422) and then Compressing it to H.264 a better option than sending a ProRes 422 sequence directly from FCP to Compressor? Not trying to be difficult, just wanting to get a real grasp on the subject.
Thanks again for all of the help!
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Makes sense to me! Thanks Dave!
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[Evan Cox] ” why is exporting a self contained QT video (ProRes 422) and then Compressing it to H.264 a better option than sending a ProRes 422 sequence directly from FCP to Compressor?”
To add to what Dave said, the main reason for avoiding “Send to Compressor” is about saving time.
“Send to Compressor” is technically the option which would yield higher quality, because the “sequence codec” plays no role. FC sends always a 444 Uncompressed sequence.
But “Send to Compressor” has very big con. Whatever thing you “Send to Compressor” needs to be rendered again, even if the sequence has already been fully rendered. The problem increases when you makes for example a “Double Pass” MPEG-2: The sequence will be rendered twice, duplicating the processing time.
And things get even worst when you make a “Multipass” H264. The sequence will be rendered 3 TIMES.
So, instead of “Send to Compressor”, better to export a self-contained movie with a high quality codec (Prores) and import that in Compressor. The picture quality will be indistinguishable from the one you get by “send to Compressor”, and you will reduce the processing time to a fraccion.
rafael
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