Mpeg-4 from FCP

[Michael Sacci]

the size is related to the bitrate used and as to the software used. Compressor and other software can get better or the same quality at lower bitrates. There are also several version of mpeg4 H264 being the most common. For that flavor there are software encoders that will allow for lower bitrates and higher quality. Episode being the favorite these days.

[David Roth weiss]

Miriam,

We need more info to help you…

What format is your original?

Go back to QT Conversion and repeat your process and look in the options to see what your bitrate was.

Compressor will be a better choice for MP4 encoding, with many more controls, more variable bitrates, and better quality.

[Miriam Lefkowitz] “I was wondering if we exported this as an uncompressed QT movie and then used some other software to create the Mpeg-4 file, could the actual file size be smaller?”

Always export a self contained file using Export>>Quicktime Movie at current settings, that creates a QT that is precisely the same as your timeline without re-compressing. That file should then be used in Compressor.

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

EPK Colorist – UP IN THE AIR – nominated for six academy awards

A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.

[Miriam Lefkowitz]

David,

Sorry for my ignorance, but is this the info you need? – 720×480, DV/DVCPRO-NTSC, NTSC – CCIR 601, field – Lower (even), 48 KHz, 32-bit Floating Point.

I left the bitrate at the default – restrict to 6200/kbits per sec. I also used LD AAC and medium quality.

If I do use compressor (which I have never used) do you think the file will be much smaller? They want an under 2 GB file.

Thanks!!!!

[David Roth weiss]

You can definitely use a lower bitrate, and Compressor will almost certainly yield a better and smaller file. Compressor is very simple to use, but you will either have to have someone show you how to use it, or God forbid, actually crack open the manual (or the online version of the manual).

BTW, there are also several presets in Compressor that might already be just right for your needs. I have to run out for an hour, but when i return I’ll check the presets myself and help you select the one that seems like a winner.

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

EPK Colorist – UP IN THE AIR – nominated for six academy awards

A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.

[David Roth weiss]

You can definitely use a lower bitrate, and Compressor will almost certainly yield a better and smaller file. Compressor is very simple to use, but you will either have to have someone show you how to use it, or God forbid, actually open the manual (or the online version of the manual).

BTW, there are also several presets in Compressor that might already be just right for your needs. I have to run out for an hour, but when i return I’ll check the presets myself and help you select the one that seems like a winner.

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

EPK Colorist – UP IN THE AIR – nominated for six academy awards

A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.

[Miriam Lefkowitz]

Thank you!!! (Open the manual? What a thought. Actually, I do read the manuals.)

[David Roth weiss]

Okay Miriam, it turns out there’s just one MPEG-4 preset that ships with Compressor, and oddly enough it’s pretty easy to find in the directory Formats>>MPEG-4.

Below is the summary of the settings as they come out of the box. You will have to raise the quality setting of the video from Medium to High, but that should be about all.

Name: MPEG-4
Description: MPEG-4 video with AAC audio at 48 kHz. Settings based off the source resolution and frame-rate.
File Extension: mp4
Estimated file size: 571.51 MB/hour of source
Audio Encoder
Format: MPEG4
Sample Rate: 44.100kHz
Channels: 2
Bits Per Sample: 16
AAC encoder quality: high
Data rate: 64 Kbps
Video Encoder
Format: MPEG4
Width: (100% of source)
Height: (100% of source)
Pixel aspect ratio: Default
Crop: None
Padding: None
Frame rate: 29.97
Frame Controls: Automatically selected: Off
ISMA Profile: 0
Variable bit rate, medium quality
Hinted for streaming server with
packet size: 1450 bytes
and packet duration: 100 milliseconds
Enhanced Podcast: Off

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

EPK Colorist – UP IN THE AIR – nominated for six academy awards

A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.

[Rafael Amador]

Hi Miriam,
Two things:
– For a web video you can not export 720×480 NTSC pixels. Your video will look distorted in any computer. Web videos use Squared pixels.
– If you are unable to calculate the data rate you need to get your file 2GBs, use HandBrake. You only need to set the required file size, and the application will set the proper data rate to get it.
Cheers,
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Miriam Lefkowitz]

Thank you so much. This is fantastic.