[Rocco Rocco]

Hm. I ran a few tests to see. I’m putting it out there and may be slammed for faulty tests or some other reason, but the following seems logical to me. But I could be wrong about this, and welcome debate: (I am no scientist)

Media: 5 seconds of motion graphics footage that originated in Combustion (exported at 640 x 480 Animation Codec, 29.97, square px.)

Then in FCP, I placed the media into a timeline and exported with the following settings:

Animation timeline. Exported as Quicktime Movie: 83.3MB (Control)
DV NTSC timeline. Exported as Quicktime Movie: 18.2MB (Control)

Animation timeline. Exported via Quicktime Conversion using Animation Codec: 56.5MB (DOES NOT NEED RENDERING)

DV NTSC Timeline. Exported via Quicktime Conversion using Animation Codec: 56.5MB UNRENDERED BEFORE EXPORT
DV NTSC Timeline. Exported via Quicktime Conversion using Animation Codec: 65.7MB RENDERED BEFORE EXPORT

8 bit Uncompressed Timeline. Exported via Quicktime Conversion using Animation Codec: 56.5MB UNRENDERED BEFORE EXPORT
8 bit Uncompressed Timeline. Exported via Quicktime Conversion using Animation Codec: 51.2MB RENDERED BEFORE EXPORT

Apple Intermediate Codec 10% Timeline. Exported via Quicktime Conversion using Animation Codec: 56.5MB UNRENDERED BEFORE EXPORT
Apple Intermediate Codec 10% Timeline. Exported via Quicktime Conversion using Animation Codec: 64.5MB RENDERED BEFORE EXPORT

Sorenson 3 Timeline. Exported via Quicktime Conversion using Animation Codec: 56.5MB UNRENDERED BEFORE EXPORT
Sorenson 3 Timeline. Exported via Quicktime Conversion using Animation Codec: 57.8 RENDERED BEFORE EXPORT

So it would seem that the timeline settings DO influence the Quicktime Conversion – but only if you render before exporting. But if you remove all render files prior to exporting using QT conversion, it looks like the sequence settings are ignored. If they weren’t then all of the “UNRENDERED BEFORE EXPORT” results would NOT be the same. Instead. they’re all 56.5MB.

In short: Remove render files and you can export using QT conversion and the sequence settings codec so not matter. this is differnent from what Shane is saying, so I dunno what to think now.

One thing does perpllex me, however: Why is “Animation timeline. Exported as Quicktime Movie: 83.3MB” when “Animation timeline. Exported via Quicktime Conversion using Animation Codec: 56.5MB?

[Rocco Rocco]

Happy to help!

[Rocco Rocco]

Ah… You don’t need to create MPEG 2 before you bring it into DVDSP. If I’m making a DVD I always export Uncompressed 8 bit (or animation) then open DVD SP and drag that new quicktime in there; let DVDSP handle the MPEG2 conversion and create the DVD.

As for Quicktime Pro; you should have just a regular Quicktime application, but it’s “pro” features will be unlocked, for example you can trim it and export via all these codec we talked about. And it should say “quicktime Pro” in the “About Quicktime Player” menu item…

[Rocco Rocco]

That’s a good question: Maybe I’m wrong, you’ll have to experiment a little. I’m basing my opinion on work done with After Effects and FCP to export to the internet. If I have AE footage (exported via Amin. codec) in my FCP timeline, then I must export the sequence via Animation codec (Sometimes “None” works well too. Deinterlace if for web). This creates a high quality “master”

Try it and see; I think I’m right but I could be adding an extra layer of confusion. But I realized that I’m giving you advice without knowing what you’re exporting for. DVD?

And yes, QT Pro “comes with” FCP. It should automatically work as QT Pro.

[Rocco Rocco]

Yes, codecs: they should be an exact science, but I swear they like to mess with you!

Don’t forget that rendering the timeline in Animation (or 8bit) will take longer and create HUGE render files. And also, it makes no difference to your final export if you first render the timeline. You can render the timeline in low quality H.264 for all the export cares (assuming you select Export> Using QT Conversion)
because when you export via a codec, FCP copies the ORIGINAL media not the rendered timeline media. You still need to export in Animation, then convert that new Qucktime via MPEG 2 (in QT Pro) to maintain good quality graphics.

Good luck.

[Rocco Rocco]

What Compressor are you using in the Sequence Settings> Quicktime Video Settings pulldown? Sounds like you might be using standare NTSC DV Compressor.

When I work with graphics I export my Quicktime sequence using the Animation Codec or 8bit Uncompressed. Sometimes I might leave the timeline codec at DV just for quick rendering, but export in Animaition or 8bit.

[Rocco Rocco]

Thanks for the help and funny comments…

[Rocco Rocco]

This is the guy Mark was talking about, by the way ;o)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfsX3u-8D64

Some contents or functionalities here are not available due to your cookie preferences!

This happens because the functionality/content marked as “Google Youtube” uses cookies that you choosed to keep disabled. In order to view this content or use this functionality, please enable cookies: click here to open your cookie preferences.

[Rocco Rocco]

Some excellent advice in this thread. Thank you all for sharing; hopefully these ideas will emerge in the documentary.

[Rocco Rocco]

If I may offer some advice on what ‘not’ to do…. I started as a runner in Soho. But I was SO deperately eager to get a job as a runner that I didn’t care where I got that job. So to cut a long story short I busted my balls to become a tape op, and lo and behold I was still “trying to become an editor” a few years later. I still had to start at the bottom. Again.

Anyway, my advice is if you want to go the industry route, pick your first company WISELY so you only have to start at the bottom once. OR, perhaps you need the runners expericence to become a runner, then get a job with the intention of leaving as soon as that other runner job comes along at a better post house. Also: Seond the above opinion – cut, cut, cut like crazy! Get a mac, go do it. Cut so much you dream in editing (it’ll happen)