COMPRESSOR OR EXPORTING SELF CONTAINED?

I just want to find out what is the right thing to do in FCP 7. I need a project to be converted to MPG-4. Should I send the fibished project from timeline to compressor directly? or should I need to export self contained movie first and then send it to compressor? Which would work better in terms of quality.
Thanks

Quality-wise, I've never found a difference, although I've heard some say that if you send an unrendered Sequence to Compressor, Compressor will do a better job of rendering than FCP. Personally, I prefer to export a self-contained movie from FCP then use the resulting file in Compressor. That allows me to continue using FCP while Compressor does its thing ... something you cannot do if sending directly to Compressor.
-DH

Similar Messages

Export Self-Contained / Sequence / Aspect Ratio Question

Hello all,
I have source clips, that look like this, with a command+I in quicktime:
Format: 24-bit Integer (Little Endian), Stereo (L R), 48.000 kHz
DVCPRO HD 1080i60, 1280 x 1080 (1888 x 1062), Millions
FPS: 23.98
Normal Size: 1888 x 1062 pixels
Current Size: 1888 x 1062 pixels (Actual)
Now, in FCP, I have to chop this source up into smaller clips, so as I set in and out points, I drag to my sequence, and let FCP adjust the sequence settings to match the clip. It auto-adjusts to:
Frame Size: 1280x1080
Aspect Ratio: HD (1280x1080) (16:9)
Pixel Aspect Ratio: HD (1280x1080)
Compressor: DVCPRO HD 1080i60
Audio: 48khz, 24-bit, Channel Grouped
When I export my clip, I want little/no processing of the source file, and want the aspect ratio to be locked at the highest quality possible, with no funky pixel aspects ratios, etc. So, I export a Quicktime Movie (no Quicktime conversion) with "Current Settings", and I make the clip self contained.
The output ends up as follows:
Format: DVCPRO HD 1080i60, 1280 x 1080 (1888 x 1062), Millions
24-bit Integer (Little Endian), Stereo, 48.000 kHz
FPS: 23.98
Normal Size: 1920 x 1080 pixels
Current Size: 1920 x 1080 pixels (Actual)
So, obviously the pixel aspect ratio has done something in the export, as the original size was 1888 x 1062 and is now 1920 x 1080.
Is there a way to process these clips on export from FCP, where the pixel is a normal 1:1 conversion, be it at 1280x1080, 1888x1062 or 1920x1080 with DVCPRO HD 1080i60, in FCP? Or is this something I have to achieve in Compressor? I'm looking for the Quicktime info on the resulting clip to return the same size for: Format, Normal Size, Current Size.
Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

I have read this post over and over and there are some strange things going on with analyzing media now. I am absolutely sure that my HD footage (from a Z1U) used to be read by QT at 1440x1080 (1920x1080). Actual pixels were 1440x1080, a 4x3 aspect ratio, but displayed at 1920x1080. Used to be, like I said. I recently upgraded to OS 10.6.4, and QT 10 is quite a bit different. (In fact, other that the new skin, I haven't found any new features I like. Beside the point.) Now I get a QT readout like yours: 1440x1080 (1888x1062). A 4x3 capture aspect ratio and a 16x9 display aspect ratio, but not the same numbers. This can't be right--by law one of them has to be incorrect. I suspect the new version of QT. The same clip in FCP is read as as 1440x1080 with the HDV pixel aspect ratio (Edit --> Item Properties --> Format.) Furthermore, the readout from MediInfo Mac (endorsed by Apple) is even stranger: 1416x1062, a 4x3 aspect ratio, betraying yet another suspect data output. May be MediaInfo is correct, maybe not. I suspect no--my gut says FCP is correct, since it was once matched by QT. So, three analyzations and three results. The only conclusion is one or more of the analyzers is incorrect.
I suspect that the data readout in QT 10 is questionable. According to the Z1U manual, the camera records at 1440x1080, QT and FCP have this correct, but MediaInfo Mac does not. But the display raster information, as read by QT 10, has changed from 1920x1080 to 1888x1062.
So, I did a test. I followed the same procedure you did, including letting FCP set the Sequence Settings (it was correct). The QT 10 data readout from the exported movie was, like yours, 1440 x 1080 (1888 x 1062). Same results when I forced the Sequence Settings to HDV 1060i first. [FCP 6.0.6, QT 10.0 (114) ]. This was consistent with the QT 10 readout for the original, raw media.
My conclusion? Your movie is fine, there was no Pixel Aspect Ratio manipulation. The data readout in QT 10 is wrong. Sounds like a bug to me. I'd say MediaInfo Mac also has a problem--maybe they are both "drinking from the same poisoned well" somewhere deep inside the code.
Last resort: if you have access to an older version of QT, try getting the readout from that. I'm going to. If you'd like to know the results, let me know.
One thing you must do: check the Pixel Aspect Ratio in your edited sequence:
[Sequence --> Settings --> General --> Pixel Aspect Ratio]
Make sure yours is set to HD (1280x1080). Actually, check your camera manual to determine what it should be and make sure FCP is matching it. If not, force it.

Exporting self contained quicktime

I'm fairly new to compression. I've noticed alot of comments saying not to export to compressor from the timeline in FCP, but to export a self contained quicktime. Then encode in compressor.
Doesn't this A)take more time as your exporting twice
B)take up alot more space.
Is it just a compression time issue or do you get better quality results when exporting the self contained QT first.
Thanks

Overall you get better quality
A)take more time as your exporting twice
Can be a bit more time, but worth the results. Generally I find that it is faster to some degree, exporting from Final Cut to Compressor gets slow from rendering and feeding the frames in. Also if you want to tweak the encoding rates after the first encode, having the self contained movie will be faster
B)take up alot more space.
It does take up more space, but it is definately worth getting an extra drive to do this, really worth it because of the quality, potential reencodes, etc.

Fcp 7 not exporting self contained

Hi, help me out. Fcp 7 is exporting reference movie which doesnt play on other systems. I need to create a self contained movie for distribution. But neither quicktime conversion nor checking 'make self contained' is helping out. I'm doubtful whether there r some special system settings to be checked or some export setting need to altered. Or a program error?

Please post your question on the Final Cut Studio forum.

Exporting self-contained from DVCPRO HD is Stuttery

I have my DVCPRO HD timeline (720p). When I export using "Quicktime Movie", select "Current Settings", and check mark "make movie self-contained", The resulting movie is a bit stuttery compared to my original timeline. Almost as if I was watching a bad conversion of 23.98 to 29.97 timebase. The weird thing is that some shots are smooth, but it could just be my eye :S. Is this stuttering occuring due to the re-compression process of making a self-contained movie?
How would I be able to export a quicktime movie without the stuttering? Would I have to use "Quicktime conversion"?
EDIT: "Recompress all frames" was NOT CHECKMARKED!! Maybe I should checkmark it?

Theoretically, DVCPRO HD 720 should play back off a FW drive.
But if I had a dollar for every issue with shared bandwidth between firewire drives and camera/decks on a single firewire bus Mac.
Others may disagree, but I strongly urge that you:
1. dedicate an internal SATA drive for media
2. Or use a SATA PCI controller and external 2/4 drive SATA enclosure.
Don't know what your camera is, but if you're working in PROHD, it's at least a HVX200.
Throughput is 4 times the overhead as DV.

Export Self Contained DV PAL in correct 16:9 Aspect Ratio

Hi,
I know that when you export DVPAL 16:9 anamorphic edits out using simple QT export the resulting video is 4:3 in aspect as the ratios are not exported.
I understand that bit and the whole anamorphic behaviour of the files.
However, what I'm trying to do it output a file with NO conversion at all - I want it a pure export of the timeline with no loss in quality - that when played back on another Mac or PC displays properly in 16:9 ratio as it was shot/edited. I want to give a client a master copy of the final edited production.
I've tried the QT player movie properties>presentation> settings of 'clean/production' etc and that didn't show correctly (slightly wider but not full 16:9).
I have seen posts about changing the height of the final movie when being played back on a computer screen to compensate and show properly but they were for NTSC, does anyone have the correct sizes for 16:9 playback in the PAL frame size (786x576). Scales down to what? 786x442???
Ideally is there any other way to get QT or any other program to play it properly - Mac and PC - WITHOUT CONVERSION that would be great!!
Or do I just have ti instruct clients to check the 'anamorphic button in any DVD authoring software they use, or manually change the visual settings frame size within QT player when they watch it???
Thanks
Steve

Thanks Denis.
Strange.
The SD footage is captured on a Sony Z7 with CF card MRC1K unit, and then using the Sony/Apple Log & Transfer Utility this is how it comes into FCP. (it re-wraps the recorded Sony .avi files into .mov)
When looking at a 'captured' file (ie not actually captured but transferred from CF card to hdd) with QT the frame size shows 768x576, but when loaded into FCP is does say 720x576.
Once the file has been exported as QT movie the file is indeed 720x576 in QT player properties.
Fun huh.
Thanks
Steve

Exporting movie - self contained = help

Hello,
I've finished my work in fcp, im ready to export; I need to make 2 different formats for every exported movie.. one is for dvd and the other is for internet (will use compressor)
when i export from fcp using quicktime movie, do I make it self contained or not? self contained takes a lot of space..... once i hand in the files, I will delete all, don't need a copy from that work...
my main question is, does it make any difference if I use compressor with a self contained movie or a NOT-self c m?
thanks

referenced movies work just fine in compressor so long as you are not about to delete the raw footagen or render files.

Self Contained Final Cut Pro Export Files unreadable in New Final Cut Pro 7

Has anyone come across this? I was using Final Cut Pro 5, created a self contained file of a current project 1.9GB in size. Uploaded the new version of Final Cut Pro 7 and upgraded to Snow Leopard, and now it tells me that this is unrecognizable as a movie file. Quicktime or Final Cut Will not open this file. I'm puzzled.

VideoJunkie88 wrote:
Has anyone come across this? I was using Final Cut Pro 5, created a self contained file of a current project 1.9GB in size. Uploaded the new version of Final Cut Pro 7 and upgraded to Snow Leopard, and now it tells me that this is unrecognizable as a movie file. Quicktime or Final Cut Will not open this file. I'm puzzled.
Hi VideoJunkie
I have not come across this. However, my previous FCP 6 Self-Contained Exported ProRes 422 standard (not HQ) files which are actually 1440 x 1080 will only playback in the new QT version 10 using that aspect ratio (whatever the actual screen ratio is at 1440 x 1080, I'm not sure, but the video width is squashed together... I suppose it has something to do with showing it in square pixels versus rectangle... or do I have that turned around. I'm not sure, I have always been confused about the ProRes 1440 x 1080 format, all I know is it plays back properly in 1920 x 1080 when I transcode it for DVD or ATV, iPhone etc..). In any case, you need QT player 7 (standard or pro version) to display these files at the intended aspect ratio of 1920 x 1080. The old QT Pro player version 7 will let you change this in the properties window, but the QT 7 standard player will not let you (those options are grayed out) and the new QT X player doesn't even show these options (i.e totally unavailable).
Also, these previous files will play just fine (for me anyway) in FCP version 7. If you having a different issue where they will not play at all, then I'm not sure how to help you, but I just wanted you to be aware that my old self-contained files from FCP 6 do work (for me anyway) in the new FCP7 under Snow Leopard.
(ADDED) I must ask, what codec were your previous exported self-contained QT movies? Do you have this codec on the commuter your trying to play your old master self-contained exports on?
Ron
Message was edited by: videocrafter

Movies self-contained and then lost?

I have been making quicktime exports, self-contained, with most of my projects, but after about 6 months I will go back to look at my exported videos and a search shows up and tells me that the video cannot be found. Is there a problem with my mac, because icon still shows that the video is taking up the same space in my drive as before, do I need to just make regular exports without self-containing the videos?

Self-contained are the safest type of export.
Restart your Mac holding the Shift key down until the log on appears, log on (often just click past the password prompt) and run Disk Utility to correct permissions on all drives (or Repair if Permissions is grayed out)
Restart

FCP quits when exporting ref movie or self contained

This one has be pulling my hair out. When I try to export an hour long project, FCP quits about half way in. Doesn't seem to matter if it is a ref movie or self contained. I get the unexpectedly quit window. I have no idea how to fix this. It is extremely frustrating. Any ideas?
Best.
Tom

Don't use an XDCAM sequence setting. Mixing that format with ANY OTHER FORMAT causes issues. I have had 3 jobs in the last 2 weeks that were HDV and XDCAM, and when they were in their native timeline settings, with other footage and graphics mixed in, I had HORRID times exporting and outputting. The solution? Changing the sequence compressor to ProRes, and rendering again. Then the projects exported fine.
So my rule #1 when dealing with HDV or XDCAM, is to edit in a ProRes sequence...all the time. No matter what. Dealing with GOP native, when you add other things like stills or other footage, is cause for nightmare issues. That GOP format is just too whacky to deal with.
Shane

.movs are much brighter than Self contained export after Compression

Hey there, I have a very interesting problem....
My .movs after using compressor are much brighter than the original self contained file from FCP.
My workflow is as follows
1. I make one export from final cut 6 as a self contained pro res movie file
2. I open the self contained file in compressor and add a h264 setting for both a .mov and a wmv
After the encoding process is done my wmv is very close to the original sequence in FCP, however my .mov is much brighter
I have tried adjusting the brightness and contrast within Compressor settings, but I find I' m losing color. The original footage is HDV and we are capturing it as Pro Res.
Does this sound familiar to anyone? Or any suggestions?

After a day of tedious test work I have discovered a few things....
There is a display setting within QT preferences that says 'Enable FCP' this corrects the situation as WMV and .MOVS use different color settings and therefore a discrepancy in gamma. However this is only a solution within that computer, as it is merely a display option.
There is a gamma filter within compressor that gives us the best results for a blanket compressor setting that allows us change all .movs that go to our clients.
This does not give identical results between WMV and MOV but a very close comparison.
Will they ever be identical? or is it a fundamental difference between codecs and platforms?

I have FCE 4.0.1 and running OS x 10.7.5 when i burn my movie the audio from my movie clips don't come through . My Sound effects and music can be heard. I export to Quicktime movie, make it self contained then open IDVD for an intro and burn it.

I have FCE 4.0.1 and running OS x 10.7.5 when i burn my movie the audio from my movie clips don't come through . My Sound effects and music can be heard. First I export to Quicktime movie, make it self contained then open IDVD for an intro and burn it. everything sounds great in preview but then ( once again)I lose my audio from my movie clips.

Try Mixing Down the audio before export.
This info may help;
https://discussions.apple.com/message/1060680?messageID=1060680&amp%3b#1060680
Also serch this forum for Mix Down you should find lots of info.
Al

FCP 6 won't export QT as "self-contained"

I'm trying to export some files as QT's, but even though the "make movie self-contained" box IS checked, they still won't play without opening FCP. I did change playback preferences from FCP to QT, which works on the source computer... but when I move the files to another computer, they still won't play. Any thoughts?

I think we are getting confused with what you want to do here... if all you want to do is open the file up inside QuickTime simply right click or control click - Open With > QuickTime Pro.
This will not open in Final Cut Pro. Also, you never told use what codec you were working in.
Know this - Self Contained has nothing to do with which application opens the movie file. This function determines how the file will be created. By default, a movie file created by Final Cut Pro will try and open with Final Cut Pro. You can change this with the "Get Info" switch, then select QuickTime Pro as the default player.
Hope this helps,
//Fremen

Exporting Final Cut timeline in highest quality Quicktime (self-contained)

Hi, I am wondering if you can help me. I just finished editing a film in HDV, 24P in Final Cut Studio 2 and need to export it as a stand alone quicktime file to take it to the color correction people and then for downressing in order to write to DigiBeta tapes.
My question is, do I simply export to Quicktime movie self-contained file using default (current) setting? I also see there are options such as Applre ProRes422 HQ, uncompressed 8bit and 10bit. From what I've heard uncompressed 8 and 10 bit and also apple ProRes422 are higher qualities? Am I wrong?
But going to Uncompressed 8bit or even to Apple ProRes won't make a difference since I only have HDV quality and that's the highest quality I can get anyway?
Please advise.
Thank you

Exporting a self contained QT Movie, and not recompressing will get you an HDV file that is full quality. But unless the facility you are going to has FCP on the machine they load this, they won't be able to see it. Same with ProRes...which would be the better choice for color correcting (10-bit, I-Frame format instead of GOP). ProRes and HDV (and DVCPRO HD) are codecs that only come with FCP, and any computer, even a mac, that doesn't have FCP installed cannot even view those file formats.
Shane

Cannot export a self contained Qucktime movie

As of yesterday I have lost the ability to export a self contained Quicktime move from FCE. The sequence is complete and rendered and I have exported as recently as last month but now it simply makes what's known as a reference movie with the suffix .mov
The Export drop down menu still displays all the Quicktime options.
Additionally the Quicktime icon in my dock when clicked displays a question mark. I tried downloading Quicktime but still no go.
Please help Tom

Right but what I am trying to convey is that I need to generate the brushed chrome framed, high quality, up-loadable, stand alone video that I used to get with ease and I cannot get that with my FCE. What are you calling it, what is the proper term because I always called them Quicktime. I made one less than 2 months a go.
Quicktime is present in my System Prefs but is not in the dock. When it was a question mark appeared over it. I cannot find it, launch it, etc.

COMPRESSOR OR EXPORTING SELF CONTAINED?

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