[Joshua Richardson]

Thanks for the response Ann,

What exactly does it mean to say “the preview codec is of low quality”

As for the different dimensions, I think I understand that different aspect ratios lead to the black bars, but I’ve no idea why 720×480 is standard definition. If the exporter always tries to just use 720×480, then should I just make all of my projects (ever) in 720×480? If so, then how does one ever get higher resolution for things such as YouTube or Facebook? (For instance, 1080p is pretty standard on YouTube, and even though Facebook is it’s own nightmare (I’ve checked forums aplenty for supposedly best ways to get 1080 to no avail) there are still videos that have 1080 options on there as well.)

So, suffice to say, [YouTube, Computer, Facebook] are the formats I’m really aiming for.

I’ve seen tips that help with minimizing the compression which something like Facebook has to do, but the only result of that (something like an H.242 codex or something) resulted in an absolutely abysmal image quality. As uneducated as it may be for me to say so: is it not just an option to try and smash a super high-resolution video into YouTube/Facebook and have *them* worry about the slight compression which they’d apply anyway? (Because yes, when I made the “Facebook Specialized” video, I uploaded it and it still managed to look even more rubbish.)