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Workflow advice
My co-workers and I have been discussing workflow. He uses Avid, I use FCP Studio 2. As far as compression goes, do you guys think it would be feasible to export my stuff as Uncompressed 8-bit files, then compressing in Handbrake. We have been talking about using Handbrake as our primary compression tool. Are there any unseen fall-backs in Handbrake? We will be using the x264 codec. I realize it depends on what we are doing with the files, but we were considering using over MPEG streamclip, Compressor, QT Pro…etc. Can it really be a good full-time workhorse?
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14 Replies
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I absolutely detest Handbrake. I see nothing but problems here on The Cow from those who use it. Meanwhile, MPEG Streamclip, which is not only free, but available now for both Mac and Windows, is used by just about everyone here who knows their stuff, and without issues. So, what does that tell you Matt? However, Compressor would be my choice.
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los AngelesPOST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.
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I only use Handbrake to rip my DVDs to put onto my MacMini so that I don’t have to get up to watch a movie I have. Use FRONT ROW and there I go.
MPEG STREAMCLIP and Compressor for everything else. Oh, Sorenson for encoding Sorenson for older PCs.
Shane
GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
Thanks for the advice.
Though, what is your main problem with Handbrake? My files are huge in MPEG Streamclip, while HB lets you determine your output file size, while using a good Codec.
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Handbrake is designed to make small files for viewing purposes only. It’s not designed to create files that are best suited for editing and post production.
-Andrew
3.2GHz 8-core, FCP 6.0.4, 10.5.5
Blackmagic Multibridge Eclipse (6.8.1) -
I was very negative against handbrake, until I had a look in deep.
Is a very powerful engine for x264 with avanced options that you won’t find in Compressor or Mpgstreamclip.
The problem of handbrake are the users, no the application.
People don’t even open the “Advanced Options” tab. Just type the desired final size. Have become an application for lazy people.
rafael -
BTW, thanks for the advice. Handbrake did a great job with the huge file, and ended up producing a very decent looking DVD (after two compressions, and a conversion,as our source tapes were jacked and I had to get creative) I take advice very seriously on this forum, and I will due some further testing down the line with it(HB), to ensure it will be a important, usable tool in our arsenal.
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[Matt Jones] “, and ended up producing a very decent looking DVD (after two compressions, “
That doesn’t sounds too good.
HB for DVD?
I don’t see the workflow.
And the “two compressions”?
Rafael -
Here’s what happened. We had two tapes that had around 1 hour and one half between the two. One of the tapes was fine, and I captured it with no issue. The second tape somehow was ruined. (this was shot before I started this job) However, we had a DVD with the footage from the second tape, but it had to be edited. So I converted the Video TS file in MPEG Streamclip, took the QT file, inserted into FCP, and edited together with the already captured footage (tape 1) Issue was, the resulting export out of FCP was enormous (because of the size of the MPEG Streamclip file, and the length of the footage) and ended up being 13+ Gigs after the 1st compression! So thats when you suggested Handbrake, which ended up being perfect in order to get it down to 4 GB without losing too much quality. (Second compression)
I started this thread to ask if Handbrake could be used as an essential part of our normal workflow. It worked so well in the crunch for us, I was curious what the consensus was on this forum.
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I forgot to answer your initial question. I used HB to give me a 4GB file (using X264 Codec) and then threw it into iDVD, encoding it there.
Worked out nicely, and played fine. I didn’t need quality, it was for our General Manager to show people for content only. -
Hi Matt,
That workflow makes no sense.
iDVD would have made the same file (less 4GB) skipping the H264 step.
You make two very hard compression processes, when only one is necessary.
Hadndbreak can make a very small file, but the the MPEG-2 compression may increase it.
You should try to learn how to calculate data-rates, file sizes or you will be your whole life using presets.
Cheers,
rafael
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