4
Table Of Contents
- Compressor 4 User Manual
- Contents
- Welcome to Compressor
- Getting Started Quickly
- Ways to Use Compressor
- The Basic Transcoding Workflow
- The Compressor Interface
- Compressor Windows and the Transcoding Workflow
- Creating and Managing Compressor Layouts
- Working with the Compressor Windows
- Batch Window
- Settings Tab
- Destinations Tab
- Inspector Window
- History Window
- Preview Window
- Apple Qmaster Sharing Window
- Share Monitor
- Droplet Windows
- About Changing Values and Timecode Entries
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- Setting Compressor Preferences
- Importing Source Media Files
- Creating, Previewing, and Modifying Settings
- Finalizing Jobs and Submitting Batches
- Creating AIFF Files
- Creating Common Audio Format Files
- Creating DV Stream Output 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 H.264 for Apple Devices 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 Export Component Files
- Creating QuickTime Movie Output 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
- Apple Qmaster and Distributed Processing
- Distributed Processing Basics
- Basic Components of the Apple Qmaster Distributed Processing System
- Getting Started Quickly Using This Computer Plus
- Getting Started Quickly Using QuickClusters
- The Interfaces in the Apple Qmaster Distributed Processing System
- Apple Qmaster Sharing Window of Compressor
- General Information About Clusters
- Options in the Apple Qmaster Sharing Window of Compressor
- Managed vs. Unmanaged Services
- Turning Cluster Controller Services On or Off
- Using Virtual Clusters to Make the Most of Multicore Computers
- Setting a Service Password for Including a Computer in a Cluster
- Scheduling Service Availability
- Using Cluster Storage
- Defining Ports for Service Advertisements
- Recovery and Failure Notification Features
- Creating Clusters with Apple Qadministrator
- Setting Up for Part-Time Distributed Processing with Shake
- Appendix A: Keyboard Shortcuts
- Appendix B: Solving Problems
- Appendix C: Using the Command Line
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.
Whatever the digital video format of your source media file, you can transcode it using
one of the many encoders supplied with Compressor, including the following
industry-standard formats, all of which have their own particular attributes:
• AIFF: Intended for audio use (including DVD or CD authoring) where you need
customized settings. For more details on the AIFF format, see Creating AIFF Files.
• Common Audio Formats: Intended to provide easy access to the most common audio
formats, including AIFF, Apple CAF files, and WAVE. For more details, see Creating
Common Audio Format Files.
• DV Stream: Common format used for SD projects. See Creating DV Stream Output Files
for more information.
• 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.
• Export Movie: Intended for use when sharing from Final Cut Pro and Motion only. Use
the QuickTime Movie format to export a movie.
• H.264 for Apple Devices: Intended for creating video files suitable for playback using
iTunes, an iPhone, an iPad, 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.
• 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.
• MPEG-4, Part-2: Intended for a variety of uses including the web or wireless devices.
For more details on the MPEG-4 format, see Creating MPEG-4 Output Files.
36 Chapter 3 The Basic Transcoding Workflow