3
Table Of Contents
- Compressor 3 User Manual
- Contents
- Welcome to Compressor
- Getting Started Quickly
- Ways to Use Compressor
- The Basic Transcoding Workflow
- The Compressor Interface
- Setting Compressor Preferences
- Importing Source Media Files
- Creating, Previewing, and Modifying Settings
- Finalizing Jobs and Submitting Batches
- Creating AIFF Files
- Creating Dolby Digital Professional Output Files
- About the Dolby Digital Professional Encoder Pane
- General Information About Creating Dolby Digital Professional Files
- Converting Stereo Audio Files to Dolby Digital Professional Format
- Assigning Files to Surround Sound Channels (Manual Method)
- Assigning Files to Surround Sound Channels (Automatic Methods)
- Assigning Files to Surround Sound Channels with Droplets
- Options for Spatial Mixing
- Creating DV Stream Output Files
- Creating H.264 for Apple Devices Output Files
- Creating H.264 for DVD Studio Pro Output Files
- Creating H.264 for Blu-ray Disc
- Creating Image Sequence Files
- Creating MP3 Output Files
- Creating MPEG-1 Output Files
- Common Uses for MPEG-1
- MPEG-1 Specifications
- About the MPEG-1 Encoder Pane
- About the MPEG-1 Video Tab
- About the MPEG-1 Audio Tab
- About System and Elementary Streams
- MPEG-1 Transcoding Workflow
- Configuring the MPEG-1 File Format for Web Use
- Configuring the MPEG-1 File Format for DVD Use
- Creating the MPEG-1 Video for DVD Setting
- Creating the MPEG-1 Audio for DVD Setting
- Optional—Creating an MPEG-1 for DVD Group and Destination
- Creating MPEG-2 Output Files
- Creating MPEG-4 Output Files
- About MPEG-4 Part 2
- About the MPEG-4 Part 2 Encoder Pane
- Using Default MPEG-4 Part 2 Settings
- Customizing MPEG-4 Part 2 Settings
- Audio Podcasting Workflow
- Stage 1: Configuring the MPEG-4 Output for Audio-Only Output
- Stage 2: Including Podcasting Information
- Stage 3: Applying the Setting to a Source Media File’s Target
- Stage 4: Entering Annotations for the Output Media File
- Stage 5: Creating and Configuring Markers for the Output Media File
- Stage 6: Submitting the Job and Verifying the Output Media File
- Adding Additional Settings and Presets
- Creating QuickTime Movie Output Files
- Creating QuickTime Export Component Files
- Adding Filters to a Setting
- Working with Frame Controls
- Adding Geometry Settings
- Adding Actions
- Using the Preview Window
- Creating and Changing Destinations
- Using Droplets
- Appendix A: Keyboard Shortcuts
- Appendix B: Solving Problems
- Resources for Solving Problems
- Solutions to Common Problems
- Exporting from Final Cut Pro and Distributed Processing
- QuickTime Reference Movies
- Cluster Settings for Extended Transcoding Sessions
- Cleaning Up Cluster Storage
- Using Apple Qmaster with an NFS Server
- Apple Qmaster Distributed Processing and Xsan
- Compressor Command-Line Usage Requires Login
- Create Blu-ray Disc Job Action
- Contacting AppleCare Support
- Appendix C: Using the Command Line
- Installing Apple Qmaster from the Command Line
- Using the Command Line for Distributed Processing
- Using Scripts to Run Apple Qmaster, Compressor, and Batch Monitor
Choosing an Output Format
Selecting the relevant playback platform (Apple Devices, DVD, web, CD, and kiosk) is the
first choice you need to make before you compress a source media file into a different
output format. Once you have decided on the platform, you can choose the appropriate
output format for that platform.
Choosing an output format is the first decision you need to make once you’ve decided
to transcode a source media file. You choose an output format based on the intended
playback method for the audience. Whatever the digital video format of your source
media file, you can transcode it using one of the many encoders supplied with Compressor.
Compressor gives you access to the following industry-standard formats, all of which
have their own particular attributes. (They are presented here in alphabetical order.)
• AIFF: Intended for audio use (including DVD or CD authoring). For more details on the
AIFF format, see Creating AIFF Files.
• Dolby Digital Professional: Also known as AC-3. Usually intended for DVD authoring.
For more details on the AC-3 format, see Creating Dolby Digital Professional Output
Files.
• DV Stream: Common format used for SD projects. See Creating DV Stream Output Files
for more information.
• H.264 for Apple Devices: Intended for creating video files suitable for playback using
iTunes, an iPod, and Apple TV. For more details on the H.264 for Apple Devices format,
see Creating H.264 for Apple Devices Output Files.
• H.264 for Blu-ray: Intended for creating H.264 settings specifically configured for Blu-ray
Disc. For more details on the H.264 for Blu-ray Disc format, see Creating H.264 for Blu-ray
Disc
Note: Blu-ray output options are available only on computers that have Final Cut Studio
installed.
• H.264 for DVD Studio Pro: Intended for a variety of uses including HD-DVD. For more
details on the H.264 format, particularly for authoring HD-based DVDs, see Creating
H.264 for DVD Studio Pro Output Files.
• Image Sequence: Compatible with a wide range of compositing and image processing
applications. For more details see Creating Image Sequence Files.
• MP3: Intended for audio compression. The MP3 format creates audio files that are
compatible with a wide variety of playback devices. For more details on the MP3 format,
see Creating MP3 Output Files.
• MPEG-1: Intended for Internet, CD-ROM, and specialized DVD use. For more details on
the MPEG-1 format, see Creating MPEG-1 Output Files.
• MPEG-2: Intended for standard and high definition DVD use. For more details on the
MPEG-2 format, see Creating MPEG-2 Output Files.
34 Chapter 3 The Basic Transcoding Workflow