If you are a Final Cut Pro or Final Cut Express user, navigate to the Export menu and have a look at the choices available for Quicktime Export. It’s important to understand the difference between export to Quicktime Movie and export Using Quicktime Conversion.
Let me explain …
Let’s consider an MP3 audio file for a moment. MP3’s are intended to be used as final distribution copies. Typically they are compressed versions of high quality AIFF or WAV source masters. I think most of us would agree that it’s not a good idea to re-encode MP3 audio files due to common imperfections that will only multiply and become much more apparent after each stage of subsequent conversion. Best case scenario is to distribute MP3’s that are the direct result of an uncompressed source master. The same holds true for Quicktime video files. Re-compressing video that was encoded using settings intended for distribution purposes will result in quality degradation.
Scenario:
You’ve logged and captured your footage in Final Cut. A new sequence was created using predetermined high quality settings, paying close attention to the codec and frame rate. Clips, transitions, and audio attributes are incorporated into the timeline in order to create a rough edit. At this point you may decide to export your project to take a preliminary visual assessment on how things are progressing. Or - you may decide to move along, finish your project, and prepare your distribution copy.
Option One:
Export the sequence using the Export to Quicktime Movie. This will result in a high quality, uncompressed native source master of the project sequence. The resulting file can be dragged on to the QT icon in your dock [or Finder], and it will playback just as any normal QT movie file. *If* you double click the file assuming that it will play as normal, it will not. In fact the file will load in Final Cut prior to playback. This file is similar in concept to an uncompressed AIFF or WAV audio file. Use it as your master, and present it to your encoder of choice. It’s your point of origin … and it can be used repeatedly.
A few notes: Make sure you export as a self contained movie. This will provide stand alone playback support if the movie is moved to a different computer. Also notice the size of this file. Since it is an uncompressed source, it will be quite large. Lastly, prior to exporting, make sure your export settings match the native settings of the project sequence.
Option Two:
Export the sequence Using Quicktime Conversion. The Final Cut documentation refers to this option as exporting Quicktime compatible files. This method should only be considered if you intend to use the resulting file as your distribution copy. Why? Quicktime Conversion re-compresses the source based on the codec, frame rate, data rate, etc., that is determined prior to exporting from your project timeline. This holds true even if the exact same settings as the project sequence are implemented.
In most cases QT Conversion settings will be optimized for a specific method of distribution. An example would be selecting the Sorenson 3 codec for a web movie with a low frame rate, low data rate, and scaled down pixel size. Or maybe using my recommended 3ivx codec for an iPhone copy. The point is Quicktime Conversion compresses the media. If you present the resulting file to a third party encoder and re-compress, quality degradation will be unavoidable.
Hello there,
I am new when it comes to exporting a movie. I have just finished with sequence. When I try to export to burn it in a DVD, I use “USE QUICKTIME CONVERSION. The file is about 2 hours long. It takes forever to finish converting. Is there any other posibility to export in a lesser amount of time? So far it is taking 8 hours and it says it will take another 28 hours. Please help.
Hi,
Do you have Apple Compressor?
Export your movie project as a self contained Quicktime movie [Export to QT Movie. Do not use Quicktime Conversion.
Bring this file into Compressor and select one of the DVD presets. When the process is completed you will have MPEG-2 video and associated audio prepared for DVD authoring/burning.
-ptfigg.
Hi,
I tried your suggestion about using Quicktime Conversion. When I tried to run it, however, it gave me the error “File Not Found.” The file is loaded into Final Cut, so I’m not sure what this means.
I was able to create a QuickTime .mov file by using Export to QuickTime then importing the created file into Compressor, but would like to be able to do it directly, the way you describe above.
Also, which settings would you use for a .mov file that will be uploaded to YouTube or other video sites? I shot some high quality footage with a lovely natural background (tree branches swaying in the backdrop.) Essentially, it’s a talking head piece. Looks great in QuickTime on my computer, but when I upload to YouTube and it compresses it to a .flv, the compression algorithm throws away info from the foreground, rather than the background and my face looks extremely blurry. Any ideas?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Hi,
Not sure what you mean. “Tried to run it”, “File not Found.” Are you saying that QT would not open the file that you exported from FCP using the QT Conversion option?
If so you may have set unsupported parameters or something along those lines.
Here is a good article that talks about encoding for YouTube:
http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/youtube_compressor_gary.html
-ptfigg.
No, I’m saying that I had the file open in Final Cut that I wanted to export. I selected File>Export>QT Conversion and I got an error message: !File Not Found, which I don’t understand, since the file
was open in Final Cut. However, I got around this by exporting a QT movie, then opening up Compressor and using it to create an H.264 file. Still, I’d like to know why the first method doesn’t work.
Thank you for the link on conversion for YouTube. I’ll check it out.
Your site is very helpful.
One more thing, I just made my first project with Final Cut. Before that I was using iMovie. I plan to follow the instructions about compressing for YouTube and am hoping I’ll have better results using Compressor. Do you know of a good article that tells how to import iMovie footage into Final Cut, so I can use Compressor to create better quality videos (i.e. no blurring of facial features when filming before a vibrant & moving background) for YouTube?
Again, thank you for all your help.
Hi,
As far as I know iMovie exports compressed files. Not recommended for FCP projects. However, it is possible that you may be able to import the iMovie project file into FCP. In this case it would simply access references to the high res. source media. This would be a much better option. I’m not too sure if the old version of iMovie supports this.
As far as the QT Conversion issue - if you are in a project sequence in FCP, you should not have any problems compressing right out of FCP using QT Conversion. Send me a snap shot of your browser contents or a snap shot of the project file attributes … I’ll take a look.
-ptfigg.
Your article says:
“MP3’s are intended to be used as final distribution copies.”
It should read:
“MP3’s are not intended to be used as final distribution copies.”
Will,
Not sure what you mean. Please elaborate.
High quality source files should be used to encode MP3’s slated for distribution. I’m referring to podcasts and additional methods of web distribution.
The point is - once the file is converted to MP3, subsequent conversions will result in a degradation of fidelity.
-ptfigg.
Nice info here, thanks.
One question. I am working with HD footage in Final Cut Pro 5. When editing a sequence, it is in the proper widescreen aspect ratio (with gray bars above and below in the editing viewer window), but I find that a lot of the time, when I try to export it, it will stretch the image vertically to fill a more square ratio. Do you know why that is? And how can I get this HD footage to iDVD without compromising the native aspect ratio or HD quality?
You’re Welcome Trevor,
What are the specs of the HD footage? Also, select the Sequence icon in the FCP Browser, Command zero {on the keyboard]. What are the sequence attributes?
Let me mention that in this particular situation it’s important to match the sequence settings with the attributes of the source footage .
-ptfigg.
Alright, here’s as much as I can discern…
Sequence settings:
Frame size: 1440 x 1080 - Aspect ratio: HD (1440 x 1080) 16:9
Pixel aspect ratio: HD (1440 x 1080)
Editing Timebase: 29.97
Quicktime settings: (I have played around with this, currently its set on: H.264)
The A/V settings in FCP are as follows:
Sequence preset: HDV- 1080i60
Capture preset: HDV
As far as the specs on the footage, I’m not sure what you need… I was filming on a canon XH-A1. On the camera recording setup its set at:
Image quality- fine
Image size- LW 1920 x 1080
Thanks again.
Oh, and I was recording at 60i with the camcorder.
I tried some things mentioned in the article and using the ‘export as quicktime movie’ feature, I can get a great quality (and properly formatted) clip into imovie.
The main issue I’m running into now is getting such a huge file (the quicktime movie export of a 3 min. HD clip is 500MB) into a compressed file under, say, 10MB. And in the proper widescreen format… Is this gonna be possible? I need a version that size to get into flash for web streaming.
Sorry for throwing all this at you!
I appreciate all your help.
hello!
i am trying to export using export to qt movie…the sequence is quite long, but this is not my problem…
when i try exporting to qt movie it works but gives me a number of files—
sequence one
and subsequent files
named things like sequence one av-1
sequence one av-2
sequence one av-3
why does this happen?
any help would be greatly appreciated.
Trevor,
The size of the uncompressed QT export does not surprise me. Keep in mind you are dealing with hi-def video. Huge files are a factor.
The point is - that file is now your source in it’s uncompressed state. Your distribution copy should always be derived from a high quality source.
Target encoding is an art. You’ll need to experiment in order to maintain good quality with reasonable file sizes.
If you encode using QT Pro - simply use a predetermined relative 16:9 aspect ratio. Insert it in the custom aspect ratio fields. Determine your target horizontal pixels and divide by 1.78.
For example: It you want the distibution video to be 480 pixels wide, 480 divided by 1.78 = 269.6
Enter 480×270 as your target aspect ratio …
-ptfigg.
dvn,
Check your QT Audio Export settings.
You have three options in FCP:
Stereo Downmix, Channel Grouped, or Discrete Channels.
It appears that you are exporting discrete audio channels. Change this to Stereo Downmix if you are looking to bounce all incorporated audio tracks.
-ptfigg.
Ptfigg, thanks for the advice. Can you recommend an export method/file type that you think will produce a 480 x 270 clip at around 10MB for web use from a 500MB HD original?
Trevor,
There are many alternatives.
Try this:
h.264, MPEG-4 container
Try to keep the data rate below 500 or 600 kbps. You may have to bump this up. It all depends on the attributes of the source video in terms of movement, etc.
I always try to maintain the native frame rate. You *could* decrease file size by cutting the frame rate to 15 fps. However this will degrade quality.
As I said, this takes a bit of experimentation in order to achieve acceptable results.
Have a look at ViddyUp!
http://www.splasm.com/viddyup/
It’s a nice little encoder that may help simplify encoding distribution copies.
-ptfigg.
Hi..please could someone help me!! I’m really new to final cut!
I’ve just exported a 10 min sequence from final cut, filmed on a mini dv handy cam. I’ve done nothing to it, it’s just exported in exactly the same state as it’s been captured.
I have exported it as a mov file, as i need to put it onto a website for viewing…however it’s something like 200mb big.
How can i export it to make it smaller?
Like i said I’m really new to this, so sorry for my basic knowledge.
I just need someone to give me instructions if anyone can help.
Lucy,
It sounds like you have exported a high quality source master from your project sequence. Since this copy maintains the highest level of quality - you can use it to encode distribution copies for the web.
You’re in good shape. In fact - this is the initial stage of the recommended workflow.
Pull that source master into QT Pro and encode a scaled version for distribution purposes. If you are not familiar with the process, select one of the presets available in QT Pro. Export for iPod is an example. Apple provides a set group of parameters that will yield what you are looking for.
Keep in mind this process can be quite complex if you decide to experiment with proprietary codes and settings.
-ptfigg.
hello,
thank you for your information in regards FCP and the quicktime differences.
I noticed by trial and error what you mean of the loss of quality if you re use an already compressed quicktime file.
My concern is that I downloaded the nattress plug ins and they work fine, but my problem is that after I do all my color correction, gamma, sharpen etc etc etc…and then I apply the film converter video filter to make the image from ntsc to 24p, the film converter video filter blocks all the other filters and doesn’t allow the other filters to function properly.
So what I did was add all the video filters that I needed to my project and then export the file to a DV/DVCPRO NTSC file and then take that file back to final cut pro and add the film converter filter for a 24p.
Is there any way to add the film converter filter and not blocking the other video filters??? because the image has certain degradation and I really want to know how to work the 60i video footage in final cut pro and add the video effects with the 24p without having to work from a non master source file.
I appreciate your help greatly.
I’m exportin
from Final Cut Pro 6 to Compressor 3.
The video is HDV coming from a Sony HVR V1U.
I tried the iPod video preset that comes with Compressor, but I’m not completely satisfied with the results.
Do you know the settins used by Apple for their video on the site ?
Luigi,
Try increasing the bit rate prior to encoding.
In fact, what is the exact preset that you are using in Compressor?
-ptfigg.
Hi,
Can anyone help me?
I have recently come across this problem….
everytime i export my final project from either QT or QT conversion the project on the sequence which has had all the colour correction applied exports as the raw file????
so the file it exports has no colour correction?
can anybody help with this pleaaaassee?
Hi can you help me to solve this problem i m unable to solve this proble pls solve it…. i will be very greatful to you….
Hi i have little bit problem with HDV project actually i edited full film but now i m export him as Quick Time Movie for making DVD but its shimmiring all pan shot and and movement shot is shimmering my squence preset is
Sequence settings:
Frame size: 1440 x 1080 - Aspect ratio: HD (1440 x 1080) 16:9
Pixel aspect ratio: HD (1440 x 1080)
Editing Timebase: 25.0
Quicktime settings: (I have played around with this, currently its set on: HDV)
The A/V settings in FCP are as follows:
Sequence preset: HDV- 1080i50
Capture preset: HDV
I m using FCP 5.4.1
thanks
raveeverma@gmail.com
Charlie,
Are you sure that you are applying the color corrector to the clip in the timeline, and that it is in fact selected, [with the playhead parked over it], and it is also loaded in the viewer - with visual representation of any CC changes to it in the canvas?
Try this:
Create a new project with a single clip. Apply the Color Correction 3-Way filter to it. Change the FCP Window Layout to “Color Correction.”
Now place the playhead over the clip in the TL, double click the clip [in the TL], open the Color Corrector 3-Way tab in the viewer, and begin to tweak.
Are you seeing dynamic changes to the characteristics of the clip in the canvas or in your scopes?
-paul.
Hi Ravi,
Can you rephrase? I don’t understand your question
Sorry about that.
-paul.
I mean to say wen i export QUICK TIME MOVIE its shimmering means all motion shot which i used in movie is shimmer……. I can’t understand how its happen…. i can send u image of that frame which shimmer if u send me ur personel emailid on my mailid (raveeverma@gmail.com)
Pls help me to solve my problem…..
I am using FCP 5.4.1 Version. My prohect and Sequence is under below:
Sequence settings:
Frame size: 1440 x 1080 - Aspect ratio: HD (1440 x 1080) 16:9
Pixel aspect ratio: HD (1440 x 1080)
Editing Timebase: 25.0
Quicktime settings: (I have played around with this, currently its set on: HDV)
The A/V settings in FCP are as follows:
Sequence preset: HDV- 1080i50
Capture preset: HDV
hello, i have a 2 hour sequence and i wasnt to export it, if i export it normally it say it will take up to 2 hours… is there any faster way… i also fear that as a finished file it will be way to big to fit into an idvd project.. what can i do???
Ravi,
What are the attributes of the QT Export?
Have you changed the export parameters - or are they an exact match of your sequence and the incorporated footage?
-paul.
dubs,
There is not much that you can do about it. Consider your sequence rivals the length of a 120 minute motion picture. In this case large files are a factor of the work-flow.
Are you savvy with the steps necessary to convert the sequence to a supported DVD authoring codec? Point is you will be able to fit the prepared sequence on a dvd, however you’ll need to be patient. My guess is 4-6 hours of output, conversion, and burning.
-paul.
Hello,
I have a short 2 minute video I need to export from Final Cut Express HD and then burn to a disc for posting on the web. My contact for the web-posting requested an uncompressed file so I exported using “QT conversion” with the “uncompressed 8-bit” setting. Once saved to my desktop they play back fine but after burning the file to a DVD-R (used DVD-R because the file was too big for a CD-R) the file won’t play correctly and freezes mid-playback. When a web designer asks for “an uncompressed video file” should I be exporting my FCE project differently?
Thanks
Nicko,
What you need to do is export a self contained Quicktime [Export Quicktime Movie/Current Settings]. This will yield a high quality copy of the actual sequence source.
The exported source file can be transfered [copied] to a CDR and accessed on a remote system.
Check with the recipient and make sure your sequence attributes will yield a suitable high quality source master according to their specifications.
I doubt your 2 minute movie will be more than 700 megs. If so - use a standard DVD and handle it in the same manner. In this case you will not be able to play the the media as an authored DVD. You are simply using the DVD disc as a data source container for a large file.
In order to build a standard DVD, the file would need to be encoded to MPEG-2 and incorporated into iDVD or DVD Studio Pro for authoring and subsequent construction.
-paul.
Hello,
I exported a 2 minute movie to compressor which created a Quicktime movie but I’m not getting any audio when I play back the movie. It plays in preview in Compressor but not as a movie. Please help. Thanks.
Is there any software to convert QT wrapped file with DV video and AIFF audio file into self contained QT file?. I have to move the file between two storages. I have a clip as QT with DV wrapper. If I move the .mov file I am getting only the reference file and not the self contained file. I need to move the file as self contained one.
Please help.
Hello,
I am very new to working with Final Cut / making DVDs, so please forgive my inexperience. I have sequences that are 1-3 hours long, and I need to export these to DVDs ultimately. The video is HD, and I want to maintain the best quality possible while obviously getting my sequences onto DVDs that will be playable with standard players and televisions.
What are the best settings to use? Should I capture and edit in HD and then export from FCP (v3.5.1) into something like and MPEG-4. Can anyone provide some help on this or point me to a source with more information?
Thanks,
mw
I’m working with HDV shot from a Sony VIU and will be showing a rough cut to a possible investor shortly. I have had some problems burning a good looking dvd on iDVD and have heard that iDVD doesnt have the capability to burn HD, that it only does SD resolution. ist that true? Also, in order to burn a quality DVD how should i be exporting my clip? Quicktime mov, or what type of compression?
thanks.
Hi, dont know if someone could help me out. I’m trying to use dvcpro hd 1080i50 with hdv 1080i50 in the same time line. I know that the sequence presets are different for both recording formats but is there some way that they could both be used together. I’ve tried using apple internmediate codec 1080i50 as the sequence setting and it seems to look a little less jumpy but the hdv footage still isn’t perfect.
hi, today I shoot short film by digital camera, and I tried to
edit my film with final cut but it couldn’t play my film. Do I have any problem with it? or is there any special way to open my file?
thank you=)
Creatimprov,
What are the preset settings in the Compressor job?
-ptfigg.
Ram,
Have you tried Mpeg Streamclip?
http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html
-ptfigg.
mw,
Assuming you captured your footage as HD, and you have your sequence attributes in FCP set properly [using an HD preset], Export [from FCP] to Quicktime Movie, This will provide you with a self contained high quality source of the project sequence.
Now pull this self contained master into Compressor. Use one of the DVD presets. The video will be converted to MPEG-2. Now move these over to DVD Studio Pro for DVD authoring. Keep in mind the Audio tracks will be supplied as independent files. Use the exact same naming convention before the file extensions. When you import your MPEG-2 files into DVD-SP, the associated audio files will automatically follow.
Read my article as well.
http://podcastacademy.com/2007/07/16/final-cut-quicktime-movie-vs-quicktime-conversion-export/
-ptfigg.
raf,
My response to mw [above] should help you. The video project source master needs to be converted to MPEG-2 in order to prepare for high quality DVD authoring.
http://podcastacademy.com/2007/07/16/final-cut-quicktime-movie-vs-quicktime-conversion-export/
-ptfigg.
Tyrone,
FCP 6 supports multi-format integration. Are you judging quality by what is displayed in your FCP canvas, or from an output file?
-ptfigg.
binnari,
It sounds like you have not properly set up Log and Capture. Fill me in on how you transferred the footage into FCP from the camera.
-ptfigg.
Hi ,I am newbee and just uploaded 3 clips on youtube usingQT.The first 5 seconds are a grey glitch the moment youtube has processed it.I noticed more people have this problem but I have not seen any answers yet to fix the problem. Please help!
settings are mpeg 4 320×240, high quality 15 f/s
hello,
I need the best dvd screener possible. I have 120 minute movie in PAL and they need an NTSC.
I used FC pro 4.5, QT compressor, at 3.5 bit rate, double run vbr, selected 16:9 and choose MPEG2 because it a universal file and can be played in any DVD player or TV.
The results are: Oversaturation of colors like red, crushed blacks and whites. in the mini dv tape looked better it was shot with Canon XL2 PAL true 16:9. It can’t be that this is the best possible copy I can get for Distribution? Right? Would it make a difference if I went with a Dual Layer DVD instead of a SL…..
Is it better if I take my LACIE drive with FC sequence. to a trasfer house, they want $600?
This copies would be for Digital Projection Cinemas and DVD distribution they need to be the best quality…
Anything that can help me I will do….please list all the things I can do to increase the quality…
Thanks,
Hi.
When I export a movie from Motion 3 (to a quicktime movie) and play it back, the quality is very high (good)… But when I drop the exported Motion 3 movie into Final Cut 6, and export it to a quicktime movie, the quality gets a little worse.
What can I do to make the quality just as good from Motion 3, when I export it from Final Cut?
When I put it on a DVD, will it look more like the Motion 3 quality (high), or the Final Cut quality (not very high)?
(The size is 1920 X 1080 HDV 1080i60).
Thanks a lot!
Surely if your QuickTime conversion export settings are exactly the same as your sequence/source settings, there will be no recompression?
baz,
sorry I can’t help with YouTube issues. I have no experience with it. I can’t come to terms with their level of quality degradation.
Stella,
How are you viewing your media during post? You must use an external production monitor, not your computer display. Use your FCP scopes for levels, color correction, etc.
Banks,
What are the attributes of the Motion output file, the FCP sequence, and what settings are you using for the Export to QT Movie in FCP?
Jody,
QT Conversion re-compresses even if the exact same parameters are set. If I’m not mistaken this is stated in the Final Cut Studio documentation.
-paul
hi,
I have been working on many video projects at school using Final Cut Pro 6 on a Mac and have just been loaned a Mac with Final Cut Pro 5.1.4. How can I transfer all of my work from the school computer to the other one?
thanks
hey
when i export usinf qt conversion it the message general error comes up. What does this mean.
And when i save it as a qt movie my qt player cant play back the video, it plays a white screen with aduio
help
Hi,
I’ve been using the QT conversion with FCP for sometime now, and there’s one problem that seems to come up again and again that I can’t seem to figure out…
When I export a project, I choose the “Broadband - High” setting, then typically change the frame size to 640 x 360, under “options”. I change nothing else. Once exported, the file is somewhere around 40mb (on a 4min video).
The problem comes into play when I need to make a small change/edit. 3/5 times when I re-export using the exact same settings, I’ll notice the same video file is now about half the size (about 20mb for this example). The resolution suffers in result of this.
Have you heard of this happening before? Is this just a software glitch??
Id greatly appreciate any sort of help on the matter.
Thanks!
hiya, any advice would be appreciated…
I need to export my HDV 108050i sequences from FCP 5 to a QT compatible movie and get them on a DVD-R, ready for projection from someone else’s computer. I can’t send a DVD as they’ve specified that they must be QT movies so I know I can’t just send the FCP exports using export to QT movie. I want to maintain as much quality as possible so a great deal of compression is not necessary, and have done many tests using QT conversion but haven’t found the correct combination of settings. No problem maintaining the aspect ratio, however, the thing that seems to keep happening no matter what i do, is the end result is unacceptably jumpy although the quality of the actual image is good. Any thoughts? Thank you.