H.264 MP4 preset with 920x518 not possible in Compressor?

Question

We need to export our Final Cut projects to different H.264 MP4 sizes. They are 1280x720, 640x360 and 920x517. Unfortunately we didn't find a way to set a preset to 920x518.
What can we do to get that work?
Thanks in advance for every hint.
Heidi

Answer 1

You'll need to use QuickTime Conversion out of FCP (or QT Pro) since Compressor will not create h.264-encoded .mp4 files.
Just for starters:
With your sequence selected or active, *File > Export > QT Conversion*.
Select MPEG-4 from the Format drop-down.
Hit the Options buttons to bring up the MPEG-4 Export Settings dialog
File Format is, by default, set to *MP4 (ISMA)*. Instead, select the MP4 option.
Switch Video Format to H.264.
Alter the Image Size to Custom, then set your width and height.
Check the +Preserve Aspect Ratio using+ box and set the drop-down value to *Fit within size*.
There are, of course, other considerations (Data Rate, Multi-Pass vs Single Pass, Profiles, etc) but that should at least get you started.
Also, in case you're working with an anamorphic format (like, say, DVCProHD or HDV) you have to, if I remember correctly, export a reference movie out of FCP first. Once that's done, open it in QuickTime Pro and set the Conform Aperture property to Production. Then export out of QT Pro. Oherwise, I believe you'll end up with distorted .mp4s since your sequence footage isn't square-pixel.
Of course, this is non-factor if you're working in a square-pixel format