Rob Grauert
Forum Replies Created
-
Nice. I called them and they sold me Leopard. I didn’t think they’d sell old operating systems. Wasn’t $20 though, but whatever…
Thanks!
Rob Grauert, Jr.
http://www.robgrauert.com
command-r.tumblr.com -
“Is it reasonable to assume that I can get the quality I saw on iTunes, with the desired file size, using compressor?”
Sure, it will just require some trial and error.
“1. How should I continue to test? Is it just a matter of changing frame rates and data rates? Are there other things I can do to get better quality while maintaining a decent file size?”
The only time I’ve restricted data rate is when I’m loading a video to my personal website. Any other time I use the “Quality” slider. And I always set my Key Frames to Automatic, unless Automatic doesn’t work for some reason (but it always has)
Also be sure you are compressing your audio as well. If you don’t, it will hog up much of the bandwidth. You should go with AAC codec. If you’re stereo mix has the same audio coming out of both speakers, go with mono at 64kbts per second. If you insist on stereo, go with 128kbits per second.
“2. I noticed in my FCP sequence settings my Pixel Aspect Ratio was set to Square. If my aspect ratio is HDTV 1080i (16:9) shouldn’t my Pixel aspect ratio be something else?”
No. square is the correct pixel aspect ratio. Your compressed video should have a square pixel aspect ratio as well. Have you made sure that it does?
“3. In Compressor when you’re choosing your Aspect Ratio it gives you the pixel aspect ratio option as well. What should I choose in compression? I’m thinking it shouldn’t be square in either my FCP sequence or compressor.”
No, for what you are doing, it should be square. Full-raster HD uses square pixels, that is why you’re FCP sequence is set for that. Computer screen and mobile devices also use square pixels, which is why you’re outputting for that. So you’re good to go!
Compression is trick at first for everyone. If H.264 isn’t working for you, try .mp4 compression. Also, for your 720p and 480p encodes, be sure to go into Frame Controls and set the Resize setting to Best.
Also, here’s a tutorial I made for web compression. I don’t remember if it covers exactly what you’re looking for, but its worth a look I think
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTUsA7Em1Ug
Rob Grauert, Jr.
http://www.robgrauert.com
command-r.tumblr.com -
Are you trying to compress for the web or are you just trying to have a nice looking H.264 file?
Also, setting a key frame every 1 frame is not a good idea if you plan on restricting the data rate. You will end up creating low quality key frames to maintain your restricted data rate. Try setting a keyframe every 300 frames, or 150 if that does not work
Rob Grauert, Jr.
http://www.robgrauert.com
command-r.tumblr.com -
“unfortunately it doesn’t give me what I need to output a quality master SD DVD from a 1080i 23.98 timeline.”
Yea it does. DVD encoding is the same no matter what your original’s resolution or frame rate are.
Rob Grauert, Jr.
http://www.robgrauert.com
command-r.tumblr.com -
This same question is asked more than once a day and is ALL OVER the forums, but here’s a tutorial:
https://command-r.tumblr.com/post/692882690/exporting-for-dvd-with-compressor
Rob Grauert, Jr.
http://www.robgrauert.com
command-r.tumblr.com -
For SD I do 640X480 or 640X360 depending on the aspect ratio
Rob Grauert, Jr.
http://www.robgrauert.com
command-r.tumblr.com -
No, exporting as ProRes is fine. It’s as good as Uncompressed.
Besides, you recorded H.264. Once you press Record, your video is subject to the limits of the camera. You can not expect better quality to appear just by exporting to a less compressed codec.
Transcoding to ProRes for editing was the right thing to do, but not because it necessarily gives you better quality. It just more edit-friendly that H.264, and gives you more head room when you add graphics or color grading to your highly compressed video.
Rob Grauert, Jr.
http://www.robgrauert.com
command-r.tumblr.com -
Be sure your timeline compressor is set to ProRes 422
Go to File > Export > Quicktime Movie.
Near the bottom of the dialog box you’ll see some options. Make sure you keep Current Settings and make sure the Make Movie Self-Contained box is checked.
Rob Grauert, Jr.
http://www.robgrauert.com
command-r.tumblr.com -
“- capture and edit in FCP using a DV sequence. (Anything I should do during the capture about interlacing?) “
If you shot 60i on DV tape, then make sure that’s what you capture.
“- create motion files with a DV size/setting, then export as…?”
“Should I open the motion files in FCP as motion files, or should I export them to QT and then pull them into FCP as QT files? If so, what type/codec QT would you recommend?”
I would actually not export anything. Just drop the Motion project file right into your timeline. That is how you do round tripping, because you can easily open up that graphic from your FCP timeline, change it in Motion, save, and it will update automatically in your timeline.
Once your graphics are finalized, THEN export your graphics in the Animation codec.
“And if I create art files in Photoshop, should I create them using the DV pixel aspect ration setting? “
Yes.
Rob Grauert, Jr.
http://www.robgrauert.com
command-r.tumblr.com -
A Key Frame is a fully encoded frame of video.
There are 2 kinds of compression (i think there’s only 2). They are Long GOP and Intraframe (or I-Frame). Key frames relate to Long GOP.
Long GOP stands for long groups of pictures. These groups of pictures share data with one another. In other words, in order to compress the video to a smaller file size redundant data across multiple frames can be tossed out, but it will find that data from another nearby frame. That nearby frame is the key frame.
More frequent key frames results in a larger file size, because there are more frames that contain all the data they require.
I usually set the key frames to automatic, but if that doesn’t work try every 300 frames. If that still doesn’t work try 150.
Make sense? If not, do some research on Long GOP vs I-Frame compression.
Rob Grauert, Jr.
http://www.robgrauert.com
command-r.tumblr.com