IMovies to Compressor

Hey
I have never used any FCP apps but having read through what compressor can acheive i want to take advantage of compressor for the movies i create in iMovie 08 to get best quality/file size combination. My main focus for my movies (captured in HDV using Cannon Hv20) is to play it on Apple TV and also put it on my .mac gallery. I was wondering how best i should use Compressor for the scenarios below:
1. Is it just good enough to use Export to Apple TV option in iMovie 08? or should i export to another format and then use compressor to use the Apple TV preset? Do i acheive better compression one way or the other? If compressor is a better option what format do i export out of iMovie08.
2. For exporting movies to .mac web gallery, what format do i export out of iMovie 08 so that i can use the web videocast in compressor? I am assuming this is the best preset for this purpose.
Thanks
Philip

The Export to ATV is better than nothing, but it's fairly generic and doesn't offer as much control over things like bit rate, field dominance, blah, blah, blah as Compressor. For web use, it's a personal preference. I happen to like the H.264 codec, but others swear by MPEG4, MPEG1,Flash, or WMV....there are others, but these are the most popular.

Similar Messages

Retaining Chapter markers from iMovie thru compressor

Hello folks. I want to thank anyone for their responses to this post. I have figured out that exporting an iMovie 6 project as a DV clip to compressor is the best way to bring a project into DVD Studio Pro 4. However, I make chapter markers in all my movie projects and I cannot figure out how to retain that information through export from iMovie - to m2v file from compressor and into DVD Studio Pro 4.
What gives? Any Help?

Hi:
After serching a little in iMovie forum I found this thread that could be helpful:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1703446&#1703446
Hope it helps and remember, Search is our friend !
Alberto

AIC 1280 X 720 to MPEG-2 Looks like crud using imovie | buy compressor?

Repost from "compressor" group.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2075563&tstart=0
I am a complete newbie to the video editing and compression world. Please forgive me and thank you in advance for your advice.
Here is the low down. I am using Final Cut express. I edited a 4 hours training video with screenshots and some screen capture. This is training video on how to use some technical database software so the screen captures are movies of my computer screen captured with iShowU. My FCE sequence and screen capture video was recorded using Apple Intermediate Codec 1280 x 720. When I try to use imovie to burn the footage to a DVD everything looks very grainy. It looks like crud. When I export to Quicktime in the AIC format looks great.
Since I am a newbie, I know I probably should have recorded my screen captures in another codec and not 1280 x 720. Hindsight is 20/20.
I have noticed when I export from Final Cut Express to H.264 it even starts too look grainy. I really need to actually get in on several DVDs in the MPEG-2 format.
So my questions for you is:
Do you think this is something that Compressor will handle? Can I take 1280X720 AIC and use compressor to encode to MPEG-2 and not get grainy resolution? I think compressor can crop instead of scale which I think is what iMovie is doing when it encodes from AIC to MPEG-2. I was using the iMove professional encoding and even tested it with a 30 second clip and it looks like crud. I know compressor offers more fined grained control. I think the grainy MPEG-2 results are from iMovie trying to scale from 1280x720 to 720x480. (I think)
Or should I go back and create a new sequence and re-record all my screen captures in a better resolution that is DVD/MPEG-2 compatible.
I am not sure if this is a screw up in my choice of capture resolution or if it is a limitation of imovie. I am just hesitant to drop the coin on FCP if this is not going to work. Thanks again

No, I don't think Compressor can handle it. MPEG-2 is too heavily compressed to handle compressing screen captures. It's always going to look awful. The limitation is in the DVD format and MPEG-2. Most training DVDs for software are not made using MPEG-2, but using computer formats with a runtime player for playback on a computer monitor not a TV set.

Easy question, but I'm a newbie

What is the best way to burn a DVD from a sequence. I used to just export to video and put it on Mini DV. But now I just want to burn the final product to DVD. ( I'm not experienced with iMovie or compressor).
THANKS!!

The easiest way is to add chapter markers where you want them, then go to File->Export->QuickTime Movie and make a 'self-contained' or 'reference' movie and include Chapter Markers.
Import the resulting file into iDVD or DVD-SP for authoring and burning.
The best way is to import the resulting file (from FCP) into Compressor and use one of the DVD presets and then let it encode. Import the resulting two files (one .m2v video file and one .ac3 audio file) into DVD-SP for authoring and burning.
-DH

HELP: Setting Chapter Markers in DVDSP - exactly to where the playhead is?

Hi
Can the chapter markers in DVDSP be moved frame by frame? When I try and do this, to keep it exactly where the playhead is it won't let me. I have the Chapter marker window up and put in the exact timecode of say 00:01:34:12, but it will just jump from say 00:01:34:08 to 00:01:34:20 . I just need it to be pretty exact for this one maker due to the music. Any suggestions as to how this can be done in DVDSP? If at all?
I'm trying to get this project out, (i've had major troubles with the dissolve quality exporting from Compressor) and if I can do this all will be ok to get it to my client! Stressing a little as I've been trying to complete this for the last 4 days!
Thanks. Margie

Can the chapter markers in DVDSP be moved frame by frame?
Sorry, that's no possible from inside DVDSP. You can do that in FCP and/or Compressor before encoding your movie. Read the next info that was taken from DVDSP User MAnual:
Placing Chapter Markers Exactly Where You Want Them
Adding markers in Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Express, iMovie, or Compressor offers the
potentially large advantage of allowing you to position them on the exact frame where
you want them to appear.
When adding markers to a track in DVD Studio Pro, you can only place them at GOP
boundaries. This means that you will often not be able to place them exactly where
you want them. When you place the markers with a video editor, the embedded MPEG
encoder automatically forces an I-frame at that position, placing a GOP boundary
exactly at every marker and providing perfect marker placement. Markers placed in
Compressor before using it to encode the video are also perfectly placed.
Hope that helps !
Alberto

Can't Update Quicktime

When I try to open Quick time, nothing happens. The version file shows as 10.2.(603.12). So, I have tried to update it from the Apple store downloading version 10.8.3 which showed as successfully installed but it will still not open and the file information still tells me that the version is 10.2.(603.12). Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong please?

I may not have explained myself very well. I have just bought my iMac OSX Mountain Lion having been used to Windows. It has Quicktime version 10.2.(603.12) already installed but because I thought it should open and it didn't, I presumed I had to update it from the Apple Store. I thought the Store showed version 10.8.3 as being an update for Quicktime on Mountain Lion, so I installed it.
If QT X v10.2 was already installed on your system, then your system came with Mountain Lion already installed. If you purchased an upgrade to Mac OS X v10.8.3, then you wasted your money. Luckily, it sounds like this was a normal upgrade made following notification that an update was available in the App Store. If so, then there is no need to uninstall anything since you are now running the latest available version of your software which I assume is what you actually want here.
Not sure how Windows systems work but on a Mac... During normal operations, you may periodically be notified automatically when software upgrades become available. Some upgrades will be provided through the App Store while others may be provided in the form of older installer packages from Apple. In addition, many non-App Store, third-party software applications will check for updates automatically when opened or as often as scheduled. In virtually all cases you will be given the option of installing or not installing the updates at your discretion. A small number of applications may require that you manually check for updates or allow you to opt for manual update checks as you desire.
What I was asking was, if 10.8.3 is not needed, how can I get rid of it. In Windows I would have been able to go into Add/Remove Programmes and delete it.
Mac OS X v10.8.3 refers to the operating system under which everything else runs. Such a system is needed whether it is the previous v10.8.2 or the current v10.8.3 version. If you want the latest OS fixes, enhancements, and security updates, then it is needed. Otherwise you must reinstall the older operating system. As far as QT is concerned, it doesn't matter which OS you are using since there haven't been any changes to it.
I understand about a backup but unfortunately, I didn't receive my external backup drive for backups until the day after I installed QT 10.8.3 so perhaps that means 10.8.3 has to stay, hopefully doing nothing in the background.
This is something I highly recommend. I keep a number of external independent drives and RIADs attached to my system. In fact I am currently still running the MAC OS X v10.8.3 update from an external drive. (Haven't really noted any problems to date.) As to QT, the update did not mention any changes to the QT structure embedded within the operating system (v7.7.1) or to the QT X (v10.2) player itself.
You also seem to be using the operating system version and QT player version references as if they were the same thing. Basically you are now using the Mac OS X v10.8.3 operating sytem which still includes the same QT embedded structure (v7.7.1) which can be accessed by the QT X v10.2 and QT 7 v7.6.6 player (as well as by other QT based apps like GarageBand, iMovie, iTunes, Compressor, MPEG Streamclip, etc.) graphic interfaces.

Change start time on finished DVD

Hi,
I have a burned DVD on which I would like to change the start time by a few seconds. Going back to the original mpeg-2 files is not an option.
Is there a way to avoid demuxing the VOB file, editing to the GOP, and then remuxing / recompressing it?
Thank you,
Marco

Marco:
You can add a marker to your track in your new IN point and set the jumps to that marker in place of the real starting point.
But you cannot place a marker exactly where you want, just in a GOP frame:
Placing Chapter Markers Exactly Where You Want Them
Adding markers in Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Express, iMovie, or Compressor offers the potentially large advantage of allowing you to position them on the exact frame where you want them to appear.
When adding markers to a track in DVD Studio Pro, you can only place them at GOP boundaries. This means that you will often not be able to place them exactly where you want them. When you place the markers with a video editor, the embedded MPEG encoder automatically forces an I-frame at that position, placing a GOP boundary exactly at every marker and providing perfect marker placement. Markers placed in Compressor before using it to encode the video are also perfectly placed.
(frem DVDSP User Manual)
Hope it helps !
Alberto

Is there any way to use Compressor 4 with iMovie '11?

I'm a student filmmaker without the money for Final Cut Pro X. Footage from my Canon VIXIA HF S20 (AVCHD format) looks just about perfect when I import it into iMovie and when I cut together a project. However, when I finalize the project, the darker hues in my footage always come out pixelated and crappy. Whether it's 1080p or 480p, this is always the case.
I've been told that Compressor 4 does a much better job of encoding and exporting, but it's completely integrated with Final Cut Pro X and not iMovie. Is there any way I can take raw project files from iMovie and export them using Compressor? Or must I be forced to save up for Final Cut Pro X?

You should be able to use Compressor with iMovie - it's a standalone app - but, of course, there will be no "Send To" buttons. But I really doubt that it will help you much.
sdharwadker wrote:
However, when I finalize the project, the darker hues in my footage always come out pixelated and crappy. Whether it's 1080p or 480p, this is always the case.
Finalizing means that iMovie renders your video in different sizes. Have you tried to export or "Share to Media Browser"?
mish

Is it possible to transfer Full-HD videos (from a Full-HD camcorder) from iMovie 11 to compressor 4 and create there a AVCHD DVD which can be played in HD quality at a PS/3?

Is it possible to transfer Full-HD videos (from a Full-HD camcorder) from iMovie 11 to compressor 4 and create there a AVCHD DVD which can be played in HD quality at a PS/3?

Yes.
In iMovie use SHARE/Export Movie.
http://help.apple.com/imovie/#mov3a9e5615
Choose 1920x1080 (or size of your choice.
Give it a name and location.
You can drag this file into Compressor.
In Compressor, use "Create BluRay Disk"
That should work fine.
There is another alternative, where you could skip the DVD and Compressor.
Just SHARE/EXPORT USING QUICKTIME
Choose Movie to MP4
In Options, choose h.264 as the Codec.
Choose a bit rate of 16000 or less.
Create the movie.
You can then put it on a USB thumb drive and play it on the PS3.

Can I create a custom output settings from Compressor 4 and use it as a export setting in iMovie 10.0.4?

I'm currently using iMovie 8.0.6 However I want to upgrade by downloading iMovie 10.0.4 but I'm upset that iMovie 10.0.4 doesn't give us "Export using Quicktime" option like iMove 9.0.6 and lower versions do (look at picture below)
So I wanted to know could I create a Compressor 4 output setting and use that as a exporting option in iMovie 10.0.4?

Yes and No:
No, you can not - as in FCPX - create your own 'Share Destinations', iM lacks (officially) any APIs too teach it new tricks.
Yes, export from with iM in a high-res format (e.g. 1080 Apple devices), and use that as source for any Compressor output Same workflow, for free, would do Mpeg Streamclip, the most recommended converter tool for MacOs....

Can i use compressor with iMovie.

will compressor worh with imove?

In a manner of speaking, sort of.
If you export a QT file from iMovie, Compressor can work on it.
More importantly, what is it that you want Compressor to do?
Russ

FCP7 Taking an mp3 file (sound effect from imovie library to compressor then import to FCP7

I am clicking and dragging from iMovie sound effects into FCP7 in it's original format mp3 then I am sending it to compressor and using a 48-16 codec
to compress it then I am going back to FCP7 and trying to import it but it does not show up on either my internal drive or external drive. Am I missing something? I have done this all before. Thanks.

Hi
I'm much more lazy - as I have one way to handle Audio and it always works for my projects.
• I convert all to .aiff 48kHz 16-bit - or use Audio-CDs .aiff 44.1kHz
Everything I convert to this - by use of the free program - Audacity
or from iTunes - by burning out on an Audio CD (still .aiff - no .mp3 or ect)
These files works greatly in all my Movie/DVD projects.
Yours Bengt W

Will compressor work with imovie and vesa versa?

I am needing to compress a large file, but I only have imovie to work with for editing because final cut pro is so expensive. Will compressor 4 play nice with imovie and will imovie work with compressor 4? Thank you

That's correct. I don;t believe you need a compression program to do what you want. I had to look up the export options for the new iMovie because my versions are older. There is a File choice in the Share menu which gives you a custom settings option. From that a you can adjust the bitrate to your requirements for the Web. For example, a preset that I use often is 720p # 8 bits per second.
Good luck.
Russ
PS: BTW, I was impressed by what I saw of the new iMovie; for example I didn't realize that it supports Pro Res.

MPEG-4 will not work with Compressor 3/FCP, but will with iDVD/iMovie???

I don't understand this???
I can import to iMovie and iDVD, but not with FCP/Compressor?
I just burn a movie (MPEG-4) with iDVD, it took a LONG-LONG time, but it worked.
With DVDSP and FCP, I have to open the movie in QT export to DV file, import to FCP - adjust, MANUALLY, within FCP for correct aspect ratio, render, and export to compressor. This is really complicated via the PRO Apps....isn't it?

Wait... so you're trying to burn an MPEG-4 with DVDSP? Why not just import to Compressor, change the ratio there, export to MPEG2, and bring that into DVDSP? I don't get why you're exporting to a DV file or whatever. When you drop an MPEG4 into iDVD it's really just doing the MPEG4>MPEG2 conversion automatically.

Exporting iMovie Project using Compressor.

I've just finished a 4-hour concert video in iMovie HD 6. I wonder if I could use compressor to encode file without exporting full quality movie at first. I have not enough HDD space left. I also tried to import iMovie project file to FCP but the timeline didn't work very well.
Thx

Sorry for the delay..
In FCP, use File and Open, then navigate to an iMovie project and select it - which should work even though "Standard Files" is shown as the format at the bottom of the "Choose a File" window. Then FCP will say "Reading Project", and then will ask where to store this new FCP project, and it would normally go in your "Final Cut Pro Documents" folder.
You may then get a "Media Performance Warning", which may say that the media files are not optimised for Final Cut Pro. But just click on OK, and they should load and play perfectly ..at least, mine do.
You say that you get the following error:
"File Error: 1 file(s) recognized, 0 access denied, 1 unknown."
That might be some kind of permissions error ..but you don't say what happens next: if it's "0 access denied", that suggests that FCP does have access to the file and should open it ..but maybe it stumbles over that "1 unknown".
So tell us; what happens after you get that error message? ..Does the file open or not ..and what happens instead of it opening? And why d'you get only "..1 file(s) recognized.." if you're opening an entire project which would normally consist of several files?
You say "..when I try to import my imovie file.." ..but why are you IMPORTING rather than simply OPENING the iMovie project in FCP? FCP can read iMovie projects, so it should simply be a matter of opening the project, not exporting it from iMovie and then importing it into FCP.
Look: here's a project in iMovie..
..and here's the same project opened (with File and Open) in FCP:
All the source files are there (..in that little list at top-left..) so that the whole project plays in FCP just as it does in iMovie HD 6.
[..For a bigger, easier to see, view of these pics, click on 'Start Slideshow' on this page..]
As for "..How can I get a copy of QT6 and keep it seperate?.." erm, if you were still on OS X 10.3.9 you could 'downgrade' from QT 7 to QT 6, but I don't know how to obtain - apart from your asking someone who has it - a copy of QT 6 now that only QT 7 is downloadable ..or search amongst your original installation discs.
Maybe somebody else here knows where to find and download QT 6; but I can't think where ..sorry! (..I don't know if this old version will work for you or not, or if it would interfere with QT 7..)
NOTE: That REMOVING QT 7 may interfere with running FCP!
NOTE: That if you have QT Pro 7, then going back to QT 6 may mean that your 'Pro' key will no longer work with QT 6, and you may be left with just the QT 6 player.
..That's why I advised keeping separate versions of 7 and 6, so that FCP isn't affected by the 6 downgrade. To keep them separate, you'd leave QT 7 in your Applications folder, and put QT 6 in, say, your 'Movies' folder. I do NOT know, though, if they use the same - or different - 'preference' files (..normally stored in "com. apple.quicktime.(etcetera)" in <your User name>Library/Preferences and in other Libraries).
I suggest NOT rummaging around and changing/moving/exchanging those preference files unless you KNOW what you are doing, or are advised by a specialist like Karl.

IMovies to Compressor

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for