Compressor  s l o w ! !   WHY???

I've seen the question asked several times, but it's never truely answered. The question: Why is compressor so slow??
I remember years ago finishing a project, and letting DVDSP do the encoding. Those were the good old days. Then, a couple years ago I started using compressor to do my encoding. The result? It took about 8-10 hours to encode a one and a half hour video, and it looked pixelated and ugly as sin. I had a friend turn me on the the 'mpeg2 quicktime encoder' which was no longer available in FCP. I've been using this for a year now and my encoding has looked great, and it encodes quickly.
Cut to today...I thought I would try out the lastest version of Compressor. I figured they worked out all the bugs by now...I just finished a two hour project. Loaded it into compressor...and now I have to wait a whopping 12 HOURS for it to encode??!! 12 HOURS?? Will it encode all the way down to about 2 hours and stay there for 10 hours more?? I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will even fit onto my DVD.
Is it me? Does Compressor need a complete overhaul? Are people really happy with it? Is there a better way? AM I ALONE?????

I've got a similar nonsence: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=883002&tstart=0

Similar Messages

  • Compressor presets cropping video output - why?

    Hi guys,
    I've been using Final Cut Pro X for about a year now and was a heavy user of Final Cut Studio before that. I'd consider myself a fairly advanced user and i have a good understanding of workflows, encoding, etc. However, I am continually running into an extremely irritating issue when exporting video from Final Cut Pro X. I assume it isn't a bug, as it would be a pretty big one I'm sure would have been fixed by now. Wondering if I am just not understanding/missing something here:
    When exporting via any of the Compressor presets (or modified variants of any of these) directly from FCPX, the resulting file is always cropped slightly on each side, almost as if a 2-3% zoom has been applied to the video before the final file is rendered out. Please note I also get the same result when exporting via 'send to Compressor' and using the same presets/modified presets.
    This problem does not occur when I export a straight 'Master File' from Final Cut, but this obviously gives me an extremely large file that I then need to further compress before it is suitable for quickly sharing online (as I need to do with 99% of the videos I edit).
    I've attached two screenshots of the same source exported:
    1. Via exporting 'Master file' from FCPX's 'share' button.
    1. Via exporting 'HD 720P' from FCPX's 'share' button (I get the same cropping result if I export via any of Apple's 'HD' presets, custom variants of these, or using any of the SAME presets directly from Compressor).
    As you can see, with such screencast-type work I'm doing, the top pixels of the image really matter (icons and UI elements are cut off the top when this 'crop' occurs).
    As far as I can see, this 'cropping bug' affects the HD 720/1080P output profiles. It does not happen when I export using the 'Apple Devices' h.264 presets.
    Obviously there are ways to get around this, but all I really want for my workflow here is a quick way to export an h.264-encoded HD version of my source for quick uploading and sharing. Any help would be hugely appreciated, as this is about the only irritant in my workflow at this point!

    Hah! I think you just got onto something there. Check out this shot of the same file open in QTX and QT7:
    So it appears to me like QTX (and QuickLook) actually crop the edges off the file. Note that VLC also plays the video at the correct size.
    I just took a look at this with a colleague of mine who works on the video encoding platform behind our product and we identified/confirmed the following:
    - Some parameter or part of the data in the files being written by the HD 720/1080 compressor output is being read differently by QuickTime 7 and QuickTime X/QuickLook (which I think uses the QuickTime X rendering engine built-in to Mac OSX?). For some reason, the newer QT architecture reads these files as a cropped resolution.
    - When I upload these files to our encoding platform and they are re-encoded using FFMPEG into
    h.264 mp4 files (optimised for web streaming), FFMPEG also reads the resolution correctly, resulting in a new, encoded file that has the correct frame resolution.
    So it seems we may have found the cause, but I suspect a solution is going to be a bit trickier, especiallty considering this isn't a problem that 'needs' solving.

  • I just purchased Compressor for Final Cut Pro X. Won't complete

    Hi there
    Help please. I was so looking forward to Compressor working simply and effectively. I have an hour video in HD edited in Final Cut Pro x. Pulled down Compressor which I just bought. Every time I try to render it in a smaller compressed file from 1920 to 540 it starts the process but slowly starts off with an estimated completion time of 26 minutes to a day later still going at it and now estimates 48 hours!!!!!! It just gets longer and longer and doesn not complete.  I tried numerous different settings and everytime the same result. Driving me nuts. Help please anyone. I will make you a cup of coffee!

    HI Duane, it's worth trying to isolate the issues if it is compressor.app. If you have time you might  expand a little in your procedure that you are using to use compressor so that others may offertheir advice.
    Procedure;
    see if the FCPX project is having issues being rendered within FCPX.
    determine if you can export a master with FCPX.
    see if compresor.app without Qmaster will transcode a distribution
    Questions:
    Are you using QMASTER? IF not that's a good start to help isolate your workflow issues.
    FCPX Have you COMPLETELY rendered out the Storylines in your FCPX project? (do this first... yeah I know BG procesisng)... but try this first before procedding to step 3..
    FCPX : WHen this is done (step 2), try and EXPORT | SHARE the project using the DEFAULT codec (Prores??) to a separate MASTER FILE...
    Compressor.app: add the MASTER file from Step 3 to compressor.app as a batch and submit WITHOUT using QMASTER (This Computer) to make you new distribution ..
    see if you get some satisfaction from the above.
    IF you get through these steps then you may elimiate your FCPX project as the error cause and focus on compressor..for any errors (console.app) ..
    Lastly, appreciate that FCPX must render some tranistory (intermediate) "master" in order to "Send to Compressor" (if that's what your workflow is) . It will render this first first. Check activuty monitor.app for "promsrenderer" subtasks. THis pre-flight renedering may take time and is managed by FCPX before is appears in Compressor.app. THis is why I ask you to try above procedure first.
    If this work or doesn't let this thread know. Yell out if you need help.. plenty on this forum!
    (BTW.. my coffee = beans for the Netherlands, ground locally in my machine served super strong with Japanese milk... frothy .. loll
    Post your results for others to see.
    HTH
    Warwick

  • Compressor won't do distributed processing with FCPX.

    Running 4.1.3 with FCPX and Send to Compressor has all of the distributed processing groups greyed out in the selection drop down. I can only run compressor on This Computer.
    If I export the file from FCPX and then drop that into Compressor from the finder it works fine. Is there a reason it is not working when directly connected?
    I have deleted and reinstalled  both apps but get the same results.

    The thought is that the send to compressor menu items should have an option to use Compressor with distributed processing. Why can it not just export it to a temp location for me and then drop that into Compressor for me instead of requiring me to export it and then go open the finder and drop it in myself. There could be a second menu item "Send to Compressor (Distributed Encoding)" that you setup a defined temp location in preferences.
    Not a huge deal to click a few extra things, but would be nice to have things connected a little better.
    Side:
    I got a 4k camera and was about get a 5k iMac when I realized by chance that the new 5k model does not support TDM and I cannot cycle through my screenless Macs. Big bummer.

  • Saving the Compressor file after it is encoded?

    I just encoded some QT files as M2V. I was prompted to save the changes to the document within Compressor before closing it. Why would I want to save the Compressor file?
    Thanks.

    If you are continually encoding files being saved to the same location, you can save the batch and re-encode the updated files with one click...
    For example I encode the day's edits to mpeg2, if I export to the same location and resubmit the batch I get that day's mpegs (although you have to delete/rename the others or Compressor complains).
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  • Error message using compressor

    When I hit the "submit" button after adding settings to a video I want to export, the message, "Unable to submit to queue. Please restart your computer or verify your Compressor installation is correct."
    Why would I get this message. Is there a simple way to fix it so I can use Compressor?

    Hi Thot, just trawling these forums looking for some info.. I noticed this.... yeah the QT error -50 comes up.. cant find a specific reason. I had this has with a job I submitted via FCPX ti Compressor.app via "send to compressor". I recall a thread somewhere in these forums that this error was a result of genuine Quicktime error whilst performing work on one or more effects in FCPX.
    So I simply went in and redid the effects in FCPs. It was something simple like a cross dissolves.
    In any case if you are gettingt this error from a comperssor submittion of SHARE from FCPX and you see it in compressor., it might be worth do a trial and error on your FCPX storyline.
    Simply make a few test projects and try to narrow down withe effect is causing this issue.
    worth a look
    w
    Hong Kong

  • Compressor doesn't finish

    I export a QT reference file like usual and then have Compressor convert it to whatever (FLV, Mp4, etc) and now it gets pretty much all the way done and just hangs there. It has been like this for about a month now.
    The QT reference plays fine so no problem there.
    It almost finishes and then doesn't advance and anymore and I cannot stop it. I have reset the background processes and that fixes the problem of canceling but no matter what format I try to convert to in Compressor it doesn't finish.
    I can export directly from Final Cut Pro without a problem. The thing is I want to use Compressor...anyone know why this is?

    Does clearing the associated QMaster cache help at all? To get there, type /var/spool/QMaster once you go to Go > Go to Folder in the Finder.
    Or does this happen for only one particular QT reference movie? If that's the case, then Compressor/QMaster might simply not be fond the the referenced render or media files (what can I say, it's a cranky problem with poor social skills.) Sometimes, re-rendering the troublesome section(s) - or exporting self-contained - fixes those issues.

  • Compressor 3.0.5 Image Sequence import missing

    I'm looking at this article
    http://documentation.apple.com/en/compressor/usermanual/index.html#chapter=6%26s ection=2%26tasks=true
    but I do not have any import option for my version of Compressor 3.0.5. Why? How can I import an image sequence into Compressor?

    Nick is right. QT7 is a better choice.
    Make sure your images are numbered sequentially.
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    Select: File>Open Image Sequence
    Import the files,
    Select the Frame Rate
    Select Export
    Select Quicktime Movie then Options
    Set the video codec and audio settings, etc.
    Export.
    Be happy.
    x

  • Compressor crashes when correcting brightness?

    Hello,
    When exporting from FCP to Compressor, anytime I try to make an adjustment to brightness Compressor crashes. Anybody know why or what I can do?
    Also anytime I export from FCP to Compressor, the encoded video ends up lighter than than the video in FCP. Why is that? Is there some other adjustment I should be making other than brightness control?
    Thanks, Drew Harty

    The only reason to suspect the OS is if moving windows in other applications causes the same crash.
    Sorry not to be of more help, I've only seen crashes by touching windows in a few apps. ONe that bugs the crap out of me these days is Microsoft Entourage for the Mac, part of the Office 2008 suite. Not all the time, but sometimes, which makes debugging it impossible, touching the pullout device in the lower right of the app's main window will crash the application.
    This is not related to anything except Microsoft's application, but that's just my isolated case; the same app on an identical Mac does not crash.
    bogiesan

  • GOP pattern is different in Droplet from Compressor

    I always use GOP structure IP and GOP size 6 for my compression. Other settings are: Average Bit Rate: 7.7 and Max 9.0. Motion estimation Best two pass VBR. When I make a droplet of these settings I get the information in the droplet: Closed GOP Size: 1/2 second, Structure IBBP but in Compressor it is IPPPPP. Why is this difference ?

    I think I have found what is wrong. My setting is from previous versions of Compressor and I did what you did made a new one and then the GOP structure was right.

  • Upgrade Issues FCS 5.1.4 to FCS 6

    Having a problem upgrading my 5.1.4 FCS to FCS 6x. I am running FCS 6x on my G5 with no issues. Recently got a Macbook Pro and wanted to install FCS6 on it as well. I have my one and only full purchase original of FCP 3.0 with Ser No. Installed it no problems. Wouldn't run, but successful install. Then I installed my Upgrade to FCP4 with SerNo. No problems. Then installed my Upgrade to Final Cut Studio with SerNo. This got me to FCP 5.1 and then with some software updates from apple, upgraded it to 5.1.4. App runs without problem. This is where I am stuck at. I am attempting to install FCS 2 Upgrade with SerNo, which I assume with get me to FCP6.0 and realize there are multiple updates after that. When i insert the DVD it show it will install FCP6, Color, Motion 3, Soundtrack Pro 2, Compressor 3 and DVD Studio Pro 4. I accept the Software License and select destination as my main drive. I select NO for Distributed Processing and when the Selection Screen comes up, Final Cut Pro is deselected with an action of Skip. Cursor over the items states NEWER ALREADY INSTALLED. The same for Compressor and Apple Qmaster. Why can't Upgrade Final Cut Pro by not being able to select that box.
    Thx in advance

    Well I found the problem incase anyone has the same issue. What I didn't realize was related in anyway was that I installed Logic Pro 9 earlier before attempting the FCP install. Found a thread that explained that the FCP installer sees that and wont install FCP, soultion was to remove the ProMediaIO.pkg from the library/receipts folder. Worked like a champ
    thx

  • Accidentally Deleted a Custom Setting

    Today I accidentally hit delete on a custom Compressor setting and for some reason there's no "undo delete" option available. I can't find the setting in my OS Trash, and have no idea if there's any way to recover it. The setting was created by another editor, and I would prefer to recover it. Any help much appreciated!
    HL
    Compressor v3.5

    Nope - that is why you always need a good backup - to protect accident problems and errors
    LN

  • Settings, preferences for the Sequence

    i'm capturing footage i shot with the panasonic 100a,
    and before i bring footage into a project to edit
    i need to make sure my original presets are what i need from here on out....
    i just want the most 'pure' treatment of my footage once it's in the sequence,
    not going through thing it doesn't need. in the end, my final film must be just like it is when i put in the computer.
    i'm not familiar with settings like:
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    * white point
    * compressor (i don't see why i'd won't compress my footage, if it's not to be
    made into a steaming video clip or the alike)
    * data rate limit
    on my panasonic the setting i shot with, instead of '24 p' was 'scene advanced'.
    thanks alot for any advice.
    wkm

    Select the Easy Setup that matches the source materials' properties. i.e. if it's anamorphic choose that etc... You can probably capture it at 29.97 even if you've shot 24fps. It will look exactly the same either way. The only reason to capture it and remove pulldown is if you're going to print back to film. You neededn't worry about any of the custom settings at all... just use the easy setup that matches what you shot.
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  • Epiphan screen record imported to PP CS5 problems

    Hello,
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    checked Maximum render quality
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    DUDE - you and I are having the EXACT same problem.  See my post: Capturing webcam as DVAVI type-2
    I'm using one of ephiphans VGA to USB devices too.  YES - every codec I've tried is crap in Premiere and After effects, even though it plays fine in Windows Media.  In After Effects, I got repeated, jerky frames etc.  And rendering it didn't help.  So, I re-encoded the whole thing in Media Encoder.  It played fine in AFX then, the problem is that it encodes at about a rate of 10hours/per hour of video.
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    I'm suspicious that our problem may stem from the inconstant frame rates that the epiphan device spits out.  Debut video allows you to change the frame rate of the device.  It thought this would fix it - setting it at 29.97 or 30.  But it doesn't. The software crashes.  I also had high hopes for GraphEditPlus, as the software allows so much flexibility.  But so far, I have not figured out how to import the DVAVI type2 codec.  And I don't know how to force the frame rate in graphedit either, but I haven't looked in to this much. 
    Oh, and here's the Cedocida codec: http://www.free-codecs.com/download/cedocida_dv_codec.htm
    Epiphan can see it, but it can't encode to it because of the frame rate (gives an error message).  I haven't tried the Panasonic codec, but I've heard it's outdated and really buggy anyway.
    I still think our best bet is software that can force the frame rate somehow, whether with the DV codec or H.264
    I am working pretty much full-time trying to find a solution to this problem, as I need something ready to go by next Monday.  If you find a fix - PLEASE POST IT!!!

  • Trying to put 1:44 min of footage on a DVD but it  is not working

    I have set for 150min fastest encode and it keeps coming out to 5.7G too large to fit on a DVD. Whats shhould I do?

    If you have compressor 2 it comes built in. Re-encode the audio from Compressor.
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  • HD to DVD Workflows

    I shot my son’s football game this weekend using a Canon XHA1 (1080i 60i) and hooked the camcorder up to my 61 inch HDTV. The quality was so sharp and beautiful I was stunned!
    However, then I proceeded to read all night on how to make a great DVD (for the grandparents) from the footage and realized it was not going to be easy. Using FCS 2.0 I used all the tricks of outputting the edited film to a self-contained QT movie using both AIC or ProRes, changed compressor setting to reflect all tabs to “Better”, changed Field Dominance to bottom or progressive, I even skipped compressor and went strait into DVD SP with the QT export. I think I tried about every recommendation in this forum. Yet everything I burned to DVD looks terrible! Even on a non HDTV. What I mean by terrible is different for all the settings I tried. Some had interlaced artifacts, others looked pixilated or blotchy. All did not look in the least ½ as sharp and clear that the original output from tape had, or even the captured footage in FCP6. I think I am loosing quality when exporting from FCP, and then even more when the DVD is burned.
    I realize there is no simple answer to what do I do now. So I want to pick apart all the setting and try to learn what it is I am doing wrong. So here is a list of questions for the “experts” out there:
    1.Is there a reason to think that starting with HDV or Apple Intermediate Codec (AIC) makes a difference in the final DVD process?
    2.Is there a reason to think that starting with a 60i frame rate, you can’t get a clean sharp image of sports on DVD?
    3.QuickTime Export questions
    a.Is it always better to use the same codec for export that the sequence was captured in? (i.e. AIC capture uses AIC export, HDV 1080/60i capture uses HDV 1080/60i export) rather than using ProRes export for anything captured with HDV or AIC.
    b.Is there a reason to change the sequence settings before export? (Yet another place to change field order - Way is there so many?)
    4.Compressor 3.0 Questions
    a.Why is there a difference of opinion on the compressor settings for Field output/order dominance (Progressive vs. Bottom)?
    b.Should these all always be set to the same setting (Progressive vs. Bottom) in the Frame control, encoding, and A/V tabs in compressor AND the Sequence settings in FCP?
    c.Why is the default same as source or Top?
    5.Final Questions:
    a.Is this a lost cause and I just need to wait until I can afford a HD or Blue-ray Burner?
    b.Is there hardware or other software that can be purchased to make my life easier?
    I want to that anyone in advance for responding to these questions. I will also be posting questions in other forums, send emails to other experts in the field, and will post any other information that I get. I know that there are many others out there trying to find out how to make a high quality DVD from our HD projects. I want to get to the bottom of this and try to help out any one else that needs it.
    Don

    epikos wrote:
    1.Is there a reason to think that starting with HDV or Apple Intermediate Codec (AIC) makes a difference in the final DVD process?
    This is largely up to one's eye. Some folks feel that AIC represents a noticeable drop in quality, others can't tell the two codecs apart. What do you think of the comparisons?
    2.Is there a reason to think that starting with a 60i frame rate, you can’t get a clean sharp image of sports on DVD?
    That shouldn't be the case at all. Something must be going wrong during the encode.
    3.QuickTime Export questions
    a.Is it always better to use the same codec for export that the sequence was captured in? (i.e. AIC capture uses AIC export, HDV 1080/60i capture uses HDV 1080/60i export) rather than using ProRes export for anything captured with HDV or AIC.
    b.Is there a reason to change the sequence settings before export? (Yet another place to change field order - Way is there so many?)
    If you're going the File > Export > QuickTime Movie route out of FCP, use the Current Settings option in the dialog. Do not change settings, that will force FCP (and the underling QuickTime code) to render out in that codec - not the best thing
    4.Compressor 3.0 Questions
    a.Why is there a difference of opinion on the compressor settings for Field output/order dominance (Progressive vs. Bottom)?
    b.Should these all always be set to the same setting (Progressive vs. Bottom) in the Frame control, encoding, and A/V tabs in compressor AND the Sequence settings in FCP?
    c.Why is the default same as source or Top?
    HDV is top (or odd) field dominant. Unless you really need an progressive-scan file (because you're converting it for the web or iPods) there is little to be gained by altering the field dominance at any stage in your workflow.
    In other words, until you can ascertain why you're getting all this pixelation, leave it be.
    5.Final Questions:
    a.Is this a lost cause and I just need to wait until I can afford a HD or Blue-ray Burner?
    b.Is there hardware or other software that can be purchased to make my life easier?
    Forgive me if you've detailed your workflow already and I'm simply duplicating what you've been doing, but here is what I'd recommend:
    Edit using the appropriate HDV or AIC Easy Setup in FCP. Do not fuss with the Field Dominance setting. Set the sequence to render out as ProRes422 if you're working with native HDV.
    Export > QuickTime Move. Use Current Settings.
    Drop your QT export into Compressor 3. Use the appropriate preset and make sure that Frame Controls are on (since you've drop in an HD file and are outputting an SD encode, they should be automatically set to On). Do not mess with Field Dominance. Wait 2 days for it to encode (only half-joking).
    Or have you done exactly that and seen unsatisfactory results?

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