Media Browser vs. Qtime for HD

Question

When I'm ready to export my movie shot in HD I have been using Media Browser so I can either burn/post to the web.
But when I do so, I am forced to reduce to the 960x540 size instead of 1920x1080 it was shot in. Should I instead export using Qtime so I can keep the original size?
Any benefits to using Media Browser over Qtime for export?
Thanks!

Answer 1

But when I do so, I am forced to reduce to the 960x540 size instead of 1920x1080 it was shot in. Should I instead export using Qtime so I can keep the original size?
Assuming your content was captured and edited at full resolution then you need to answer an number of additional questions:
1) To what do you intend to burn and how? Data discs can be burned containing any resolution that your software and hardware can support. DVDs burned to meet the requirements of NTSC displays are limited to an encode matrix of 720x480. Blu-ray would support "full HD Resolution" only if you have the hardware and software to support both the burn and playback of your content and your potential viewers have compatible playback capabilities if you plan to "distribute."
2) With regard to web use, what connect speeds are you targeting and type of server service? Generally, web files are limited by data rate considerations. HD files may require about 6.5 times the bandwidth of your SD files to retain similar levels of quality. The greater the quality desired, the greater the data rate required meaning the larger the file must be. So unless you and all of your potential views have FIOS connections, you will likely have to either settle for reduced quality or reduced dimensions. In addition, there is the question of uploads and file duration. I use a DotMac account which means a relatively slow and limited upload capability. The last 2 hour file I posted was a 1670 kbps standard definition 640x272 (2.35:1 aspect) movie that was only 1.4 GBs but took about 5 hours to upload. So consider well your priorities when considering the use of "full resolution" HD on the Internet.
Any benefits to using Media Browser over Qtime for export?
They basically represent pre-sets that work well for SD burning, iPhone, iPod, TV, and web work consistent with many intermediate and high-speed cable/DSL services. For the uninitiated, they provide suitable files for general use with little or no conversion/compression knowledge required. If you know what you are doing, you can, of course, get more out of your files using custom exports targeted for specific uses. For the most part these pre-sets are well considered. For instance, you complain that the "large" pre-set was limited to 960x540. That is because it is the largest dimension file that is compatible with TV at 30 (29.97) fps. To use larger dimensions would mean reducing the frame rate during export which can decrease the smoothness of playback.