Apple Compressor 2 User Manual
Compressor 2
User Manual
Apple Computer, Inc.
© 2005 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved.
Under the copyright laws, this manual may not be
copied, in whole or in part, without the written consent
of Apple. Your rights to the software are governed by
the accompanying software license agreement.
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registered in the U.S. and other countries. Use of the
“keyboard” Apple logo (Option-Shift-K) for commercial
purposes without the prior written consent of Apple
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the
information in this manual is accurate. Apple Computer,
Inc., is not responsible for printing or clerical errors.
Apple Computer, Inc.
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014-2084
408-996-1010
www.apple.com
Apple, the Apple logo, AppleScript, Apple Store,
DVD Studio Pro, Final Cut, Final Cut Pro, FireWire,
Mac, Mac OS, and QuickTime are trademarks of
Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and
other countries.
AppleCare is a service mark of Apple Computer, Inc.,
registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Dolby is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories.
Other company and product names mentioned herein
are trademarks of their respective companies. Mention
of third-party products is for informational purposes
only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a
recommendation. Apple assumes no responsibility with
regard to the performance or use of these products.
Production stills from the film “A Sus Ordenes” provided
courtesy of Refuge Films.
“A Sus Ordenes” © 2004 Eric Escobar.
http://www.refugefilms.com
Contents
3
Preface 7 An Introduction to Compressor
8
About the Compressor 2 User Manual
9
Typical Compressor Scenarios
10
Compressor Features
12
Output Formats for Transcoding
13
Using the Compressor 2 User Manual
14
Apple Websites
Chapter 1 17 Getting Started Quickly
18
Quick-and-Easy Compressor Workflow
24
Optional Tasks You Can Perform Before Submitting a Batch
Chapter 2 25 The Basic Transcoding Workflow
28
Compressor Concepts and Terms
28
Preparing Compressor for Transcoding
31
Creating a Compressor Batch
33
Viewing Transcoding Status
33
Optional Compressor Shortcuts
34
Setting Compressor Preferences
Chapter 3 37 The Compressor Interface
38
Compressor Windows and the Transcoding Workflow
39
Batch Window
40
Presets Window
42
Inspector Window
49
History Drawer
50
Preview Window
51
Batch Monitor
52
Droplet Windows
53
General Compressor Keyboard Shortcuts
54
Preview Window Keyboard Shortcuts
Chapter 4 55 Importing Source Media Files
55
About the Batch Window
3
58
Adding Source Media Files to a Batch
Chapter 5 61 Creating, Previewing, and Modifying Settings
62
About the Settings Tab
65
About the Inspector
67
Choosing a Pre-Existing Setting
68
Creating a Setting
70
Modifying a Setting
72
Previewing a Setting
74
Duplicating and Deleting Settings
75
Creating Groups of Settings
75
Distributing and Sharing Settings
Chapter 6 77 Creating Jobs and Submitting Batches
78
Assigning Settings to Source Media Files
81
Assigning Destinations to Source Media Files
83
Submitting a Batch
84
About the History Drawer
85
Resubmitting a Batch
86
Saving and Opening a Batch File
87
Submitting a Final Cut Pro Project for Transcoding
89
Resubmitting a Final Cut Pro Project
90
Transcoding Different Clips From One Source Media File
Chapter 7 93 Creating Dolby Digital Professional Output Files
94
About the Dolby Digital Professional Encoder Pane
10 0
Converting Audio Files to Dolby Digital Professional Format
101
Creating Surround Files
10 6
Options for Spatial Mixing
Chapter 8 109 Creating H.264 DVD Output Files
11 0
About the H.264 Encoder Pane
112
Job Segmenting and Multi-pass
113
H.264 Workflows for DVD
Chapter 9 115 Creating MPEG-1 Output Files
11 5
Common Uses for MPEG-1
11 6
MPEG-1 Specifications
117
About the MPEG-1 Encoder Pane
12 0
About System and Elementary Streams
121
MPEG-1 Transcoding Workflow
12 2
Configuring the MPEG-1 File Format for Web Use
12 3
Configuring the MPEG-1 File Format for DVD Use
4
Contents
Chapter 10 127 Creating MPEG-2 Output Files
12 8
About Standard Definition MPEG-2
12 8
About High Definition Sources and MPEG-2
12 9
About the MPEG-2 Encoder Pane
14 5
MPEG-2 Transcoding Workflow
Chapter 11 153 Creating MPEG-4 Output Files
15 4
About the MPEG-4 Encoder Pane
15 8
MPEG-4 Part 2 Transcoding Workflow
Chapter 12 163 Creating QuickTime Movie Output Files
164
Creating QuickTime Output Files
164
About the QuickTime Movie Encoder Pane
171
QuickTime Transcoding Workflow
174
Understanding Codecs
174
QuickTime Video Codecs
17 5
QuickTime Audio Codecs
Chapter 13 177 Creating QuickTime Export Component, AIFF, and TIFF Files
17 7
Creating QuickTime Export Component Output Files
18 0
Creating AIFF Output Files
183
Creating TIFF Output Files
Chapter 14 185 Adding Filters to a Setting
185
Working With Filters
19 2
Adding Filters to a Setting
Chapter 15 195 Adding Frame Controls, Geometry, and Actions to a Setting
19 5
Working With Frame Controls
19 8
Adding Frame Controls to a Setting
200
Working With Cropping and Scaling
203
Making Geometry Adjustments to a Setting
204
Working With Post-Transcoding Options
206
Adding Actions
Chapter 16 209 Using the Preview Window
210
About the Preview Window
215
Previewing a Clip
219
Transcoding a Portion of the Clip With the Preview Window
220
Adding Markers to a Clip
222
Adding DVD Studio Pro Chapter Markers to a Clip
222
Preview Window Keyboard Shortcuts
Contents
5
Chapter 17 223 Creating and Changing Destinations
224
About the Destinations Tab
225
About the Destinations Inspector
226
Creating a Destination
230
Warning Triangles
231
Deleting and Duplicating a Destination
232
Creating Destinations for Use With DVD Studio Pro
Chapter 18 235 Using Droplets
236
About the Droplet Window
238
Creating a Droplet
239
Checking Droplet Settings and AppleScript Options
240
Using a Droplet to Transcode Source Media Files
Appendix A 243 Customer Support
244
Calling AppleCare Support
Appendix B 245 Command-Line Usage
245
Using the Command Line
245
Shell Commands for Configuring Service Nodes and Cluster Controllers
246
Shell Commands for Submitting Compressor Jobs
248
Shell Commands for Monitoring Batches
Index 251
6
Contents
An Introduction to Compressor
Compressor is an essential part of the video compression
process. It makes compression fast, efficient, and
convenient, giving you more options in your choices of
compression presets, settings, and output formats.
With the ability to view and experience media content in many different ways (such as
on websites, CD-ROM discs, and DVDs), content authors need a quick and easy means
of converting their material so that it can be conveniently distributed to a variety of
playback devices.
Whether you want to create high-quality movie trailers that can be opened and viewed
over the web within seconds, or you just want to transfer a video clip to a CD or DVD,
you need to compress media files so that they fit into limited space and are readily
available for viewing. Compressor is a high-speed video and audio encoding tool that
provides an efficient way to convert content for any of these methods.
Preface
In addition to the variety of viewing methods, there are also a variety of output formats
to consider. You may need to compress the same media file into different output
formats just to accommodate different media players and uses. With Compressor, you
can select different output formats for use with the various distribution models.
7
About the Compressor 2 User Manual
This preface, “An Introduction to Compressor,” contains background information that
introduces most of the basic concepts and terms related to using Compressor.
Other chapters in this user manual cover the following:
Â
Chapter 1, “Getting Started Quickly,” will help you with basic steps in using
Compressor for the first time.
Â
Chapter 2, “The Basic Transcoding Workflow,” offers more detailed Compressor setup
procedures.
Â
Chapter 3, “The Compressor Interface,” is a quick visual tour of Compressor windows
and features.
Â
Chapter 4, “Importing Source Media Files,” covers the file types that Compressor can
accept and how to import them.
 Chapter 5, “Creating, Previewing, and Modifying Settings,” covers presets, an essential
part of the Compressor workflow.
 Chapter 6, “Creating Jobs and Submitting Batches,” is a detailed explanation of basic
Compressor workflow.
 Chapters 7 through 13 explain each of the output file types in turn. See “Output
Formats for Transcoding” on page 12 for more information on these chapters.
 Chapter 14, “Adding Filters to a Setting,”explains how to further adjust the visuals in
your transcoding projects with filters.
 Chapter 15, “Adding Frame Controls, Geometry, and Actions to a Setting,” will help
you add settings to your Compressor transcode jobs for better-looking and bettersounding output.
 Chapter 16, “Using the Preview Window,” explains how to use the Compressor
Preview window so you can have a look at source media files, as well as the effect of
any Compressor settings you might apply to the files.
 Chapter 17, “Creating and Changing Destinations,” covers how to set up and save
frequently used destinations for transcoded output files.
 Chapter 18, “Using Droplets,” covers the time-saving drag-and-drop applications you
can create with Compressor.
8 Preface
An Introduction to Compressor
Typical Compressor Scenarios
The following are typical Compressor scenarios:
 Converting source media to one or more different output formats: You can use Compressor
to convert one or more media files to one or more different media file output formats.
See “Quick-and-Easy Compressor Workflow” on page 18 for more information.
MPEG-4
QuickTime movie
QuickTime
To web
MPEG-1
for low band
QuickTime movie
for broadband
Source media or
Final Cut Pro project
Compressor
application
MPEG-2
AC3
AIFF
QuickTime
DVD video
CD-ROM
 Exporting sequences or clips to one or more formats directly from other applications: You
can use Compressor to convert sequences or clips to one or more file formats from
within other applications, such as Final Cut Pro. This workflow is the same as
described in detail in the section, “Submitting a Final Cut Pro Project for Transcoding”
on page 87.
This integration with Final Cut Pro and other applications makes transcoding (the
process of converting files from their original format into output files ready for
distribution in another format) faster and more convenient, and also saves hard disk
space by eliminating the need to export the media files before processing them. It
also leverages the video processing technology of the other applications to do much
of the work (therefore maximizing the quality of images that are encoded), and avoids
degradation that can occur from multiple compression and decompression steps.
Preface An Introduction to Compressor 9
 Creating MPEG-2 files for use with DVD Studio Pro: Before you can convert your
existing media files into DVD Studio Pro projects, you must convert them into
MPEG-2 files. Before importing one or more media files into DVD Studio Pro,
Compressor transcodes the files into the MPEG-2 format. Compressor 2 can encode
audio in the Dolby Digital Professional format (also known as AC-3). Dolby Digital
Professional is a very common compressed audio format for DVD-Video discs.
Compressor also supports two specialized situations:
 For those situations in which you are editing high definition (HD) sources in
Final Cut Pro and want to create a standard definition (SD) DVD from them,
Compressor includes a high-quality down-conversion capability. HD sources
using 1080i or 720p resolutions use a high-quality transcoding process to create
SD MPEG-2 video output files.
 For those situations in which you must fit the maximum video onto a DVD and
do not require broadcast quality, Compressor includes the ability to export DVDVideo–compatible MPEG-1 format files.
Compressor Features
Compressor can work as a standalone application or be integrated into the workflow of
other applications, such as Final Cut Pro. To this end, Compressor accepts the same full
range of source media file types that Final Cut Pro accepts. Compressor is targeted at
video postproduction professionals and compressionists who require high performance
and maximum control over the final digital content for DVD authoring, streaming
media servers, and wireless devices. Compressor gives you resizing, cropping, image
processing, encoding, and delivery options, and offers the following features:
 Batch processing: This streamlined process allows you to create multiple output files
from single source media files.
 VBR options: Using the MPEG-2 encoder, you can set either a single or dual-pass
variable bit rate (VBR) for your output files, a setting that affects the video file
image quality.
 H.264 encoding: H.264 produces higher quality video at lower data rates for
everything from mobile phones to High Definition (HD). H.264 works especially well
with the Apple QuickTime 7 media player.
 Droplets: These standalone applications can be used for drag-and-drop transcoding
operations straight from your desktop. Once created, Droplets simplify and automate
the transcoding process and can be used even without opening Compressor.
 Settings: Settings contain all necessary file format, filter, and geometry settings
needed for transcoding. You can customize and modify existing settings or create
new ones, an option that lets you build and save a library of different settings that
can be reused.
10 Preface An Introduction to Compressor
 Filters: The selection of available Compressor filters gives you dynamic artistic control
while you convert your source media to other formats, and allows you to create a
final product to your precise specifications. A selection of the available filters includes
gamma correction, noise removal, letterbox, watermark, color adjustment, and
deinterlacing.
 Previewing: You can preview and adjust all your filter settings in real time using the
Preview window. This lets you tweak the settings to your satisfaction, before
transcoding the source media file.
 Destination settings: You can create and save destinations for your output files, which
can then be selected from a pop-up menu. You can even include FTP or remote
locations. A destination can also specify the file naming convention to use.
 Geometry: You can adjust your frame size using the geometry numerical and
graphical controls. These features allow you to crop unwanted image areas of your
source media file and reduce file size. Compressor also allows you to resize your
image to other aspect ratios such as 4:3, 16:9, and 2.35:1 for delivery onto other
platforms, such as DVD.
 Publishing: You can use Compressor to upload output files to a QuickTime Streaming
Server or other locations for DVD authoring.
 AppleScript usage: You can add specialized AppleScript information to any
output file, which gives you the flexibility to automate and customize any postencoding operations.
 Interoperability: Compressor is an integral component of other Apple professional
video applications such as Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio Pro. You can export
sequences directly from Final Cut Pro into Compressor for transcoding, and drag
MPEG-2 files transcoded from Compressor into DVD Studio Pro to simplify the DVD
authoring process.
 Transcoding activity in the background: Compressor lets you begin transcoding a
batch and then continues processing in the background, allowing you to perform
other tasks at the same time.
 Email notification: You can set up Compressor to send an email notification to any
location to notify you when the batch transcode is complete.
 Distributed processing: Certain bundled versions of Compressor offer distributed
processing, distributing the work to multiple computers that have been chosen to
provide more processing power. The Compressor 2 distributed processing feature is
limited to computers that have either Final Cut Studio or DVD Studio Pro 4 installed.
For more details, see the Distributed Processing Setup guide.
 Command-Line Features: Compressor now has a number of command-line options
for submitting jobs, enabling and disabling service node and cluster controlling
services, and monitoring batches.
Preface An Introduction to Compressor 11
Output Formats for Transcoding
Selecting the relevant playback platform (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 following encoders supplied with Compressor:
 AIFF: Intended for audio use (DVD or CD authoring). For more details on the AIFF
format, see “Creating AIFF Output Files” on page 180.
 Dolby Digital Professional: Also known as AC3. Intended for DVD authoring. For more
details on the AC3 format, see “Creating Dolby Digital Professional Output Files” on
page 93.
 H.264: The next-generation video compression technology in the MPEG-4 standard.
Also known as MPEG-4 Part 10. Suitable for HD-DVD and many other uses, H.264 can
match the best possible MPEG-2 quality at up to half the data rate. H.264 is currently
mandatory in both new high definition DVD specifications (HD DVD and Blu-Ray). For
more details on the H.264 format, see “Creating H.264 DVD Output Files” on
page 109. For information on creating H.264 files for uses other than DVD authoring
(such as web video), see “Creating QuickTime Movie Output Files” on page 163.
 MPEG-1: Intended for Internet or specialized DVD use. For more details on the
MPEG-1 format, see Chapter 9, “Creating MPEG-1 Output Files,” on page 115.
 MPEG-2: Intended for DVD use. For more details on the MPEG-2 format, see
Chapter 10, “Creating MPEG-2 Output Files,” on page 127.
 MPEG-4: A very scalable specification, with a variety of uses, from web video or
wireless devices to HD. For more details on the MPEG-4 format, see Chapter 11,
“Creating MPEG-4 Output Files,” on page 153.
 QuickTime Export Components: Leveraging the component plug-in architecture of
QuickTime, Compressor can now output a variety of additional formats such as
Windows Media, RealPlayer, 3G, and AVI. For more details on QuickTime Export
Components, see “Creating QuickTime Export Component Output Files” on page 177.
 QuickTime Movie: QuickTime is a cross-platform multimedia technology. It allows
Mac OS and Windows applications to play back video, audio, and still-image files. For
more details on the QuickTime format, see Chapter 12, “Creating QuickTime Movie
Output Files,” on page 163.
 TIFF: Intended for use with other programs that import media as a series of still
images. For more details on the TIFF format, see “Creating TIFF Output Files” on
page 183.
12 Preface An Introduction to Compressor
Using the Compressor 2 User Manual
The Compressor 2 User Manual provides step-by-step instructions for using Compressor
to compress source media files, as well as background and conceptual information
about compression. It is designed to provide the information you need to get up to
speed quickly, so that you can take full advantage of Compressor.
The Compressor 2 User Manual allows you to access information directly on screen while
you’re working in Compressor. To view this information, choose Help > Compressor
User Manual. The Compressor User Manual is fully hyperlinked and enhanced with many
features that make locating information quick and easy.
 The home page provides quick access to various features, including Late-Breaking
News, the index, and other relevant documents and websites.
 A comprehensive bookmark list allows you to quickly choose what you want to see
and takes you there as soon as you click the link.
In addition to these navigational tools, the Compressor User Manual gives you other
means to locate information quickly:
 All cross-references in the text are linked. You can click any cross-reference and jump
immediately to that location. Then, you can use the Preview Back button to return to
where you were before you clicked the cross-reference.
 The table of contents and index are also linked. If you click an entry in either of these
sections, you jump directly to that section of help.
 You can also use the Find dialog to search the text for specific words or a phrase.
To access the onscreen help, do one of the following:
m Choose Help > Compressor User Manual.
m Press Command-, (comma).
In addition to accessing the Compressor 2 User Manual, the Help menu also contains an
item for creating a support profile. In certain support situations, AppleCare may require
information about both your computer and how this particular application is
configured. Choosing Help > Create Support Profile creates a file that contains the
necessary information and can be emailed to AppleCare. You would not normally use
this feature unless directed to by an AppleCare representative.
Preface An Introduction to Compressor 13
Apple Websites
There are a variety of Apple websites that you can visit to find additional information.
Compressor Website
Go here for general information and updates as well as the latest news on Compressor.
To access the Compressor website, go to:
 http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro/compressor.html
There are a variety of discussion boards, forums, and educational resources related to
Compressor on the web.
Apple Service and Support Website
Go here for software updates and answers to the most frequently asked questions for all
Apple products, including Compressor. You’ll also have access to product specifications,
reference documentation, and Apple and third-party product technical articles.
To access the Apple Service and Support webpage, go to:
 http://www.apple.com/support
To access the Compressor support page, go to:
 http://www.apple.com/support/compressor
To access the Compressor discussion page, go to:
 http://discussions.info.apple.com/compressor
Other Apple Websites
Start at the Apple main home page to find the latest information about Apple
products:
 http://www.apple.com
QuickTime is industry-standard technology for handling video, sound, animation,
graphics, text, music, and 360-degree virtual reality (VR) scenes. QuickTime provides a
high level of performance, compatibility, and quality for delivering digital video. Go to
the QuickTime website for information on the types of media supported, a tour of the
QuickTime interface, and specifications, and more:
 http://www.apple.com/quicktime
FireWire is one of the fastest peripheral standards ever developed, which makes it great
for use with multimedia peripherals, such as video camcorders and the latest highspeed hard disk drives. Visit this website for facts and benefits about FireWire
technology, FireWire software information, and available third-party FireWire products:
 http://www.apple.com/firewire
14 Preface An Introduction to Compressor
For information about seminars, events, and third-party tools used in web publishing,
design and print, music and audio, desktop movies, digital imaging, and the media arts,
go to:
 http://www.apple.com/pro
For resources, stories, and information about projects developed by users in education
using Apple software, including Compressor, go to:
 http://www.apple.com/education
Go to the Apple Store to buy software, hardware, and accessories direct from Apple.
You can also find special promotions and deals that include third-party hardware and
software products:
 http://store.apple.com
Preface An Introduction to Compressor 15
1 Getting Started Quickly
1
Compressor contains a number of preexisting presets
that allow you to start transcoding immediately.
You can begin transcoding media files as soon as you install Compressor, if you have
one or more source media files and the preexisting Compressor settings and
destinations suit your transcoding needs.
This chapter contains the following sections:
 Quick-and-Easy Compressor Workflow (p. 18)
 Optional Tasks You Can Perform Before Submitting a Batch (p. 24)
You transcode media files by first importing the source media files into Compressor and
then assigning settings to them. These files are then referred to as jobs, and are
submitted in batches (of one or more jobs) to create transcoded output media files.
Note: You can only transcode a job once it has at least one setting assigned to it.
If you need to create your own settings, or modify those that come with Compressor,
see Chapter 2, “The Basic Transcoding Workflow,” on page 25 and Chapter 5, “Creating,
Previewing, and Modifying Settings,” on page 61.
17
Quick-and-Easy Compressor Workflow
The following workflow shows you the easiest way to use Compressor:
 Add source media files to Compressor (p. 18)
 Assign settings and destinations to source media files (p. 19)
 Submit the batch (p. 23)
Step 1: Add source media files to Compressor
1 Double-click the Compressor icon in the Applications folder.
The Compressor Batch window opens.
2 Drag source files from the desktop to the Batch window.
Edit batch name here.
Batch table
Setting pop-up menu
3 Compressor will automatically use the name of the first source file in the batch as the
name for the batch you are submitting in the Batch Name field. If you would like a
different name, you can edit the name now.
See “About the Batch Window” on page 55 for more information about the controls in
the Batch window.
18 Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly
Step 2: Assign settings and destinations to source media files
You need to assign at least one setting to each source media file before you can submit
the batch for processing, but you can also add multiple settings to the same source
media file to transcode multiple versions of the media file.
1 Choose a setting for your source media files in any of the following ways:
 To assign different settings to different source media files: Use the Setting pop-up menu
in the Batch table to assign a setting to each source media file in the Batch table.
 To assign a single setting to multiple selected source media files: Assign the same
setting to specific source media files by selecting the relevant source media files and
then choosing a setting from the Settings menu in the menu bar.
Open the Settings menu
from the menu bar and
assign relevant settings.
Select source
media files in the
Batch window.
The chosen setting is
assigned only to selected
source media files.
The chosen setting is assigned only to the selected source media files.
Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly 19
 To assign a single setting to all source media files in the Batch table: Drag-select all
source media files in the Batch table and, while keeping the mouse button down,
position the pointer over the Setting pop-up menu icon to open it. Choose the
setting you want to assign to all the source media files.
All source media files
are assigned the same
setting in one step.
The same setting is assigned to all source media files in the batch.
 To assign multiple settings to a single source media file in the Batch table: Select your
source media file and choose the relevant setting group from the Setting pop-up
menu in the Batch table or from the Settings menu in the menu bar.
See Chapter 5, “Creating, Previewing, and Modifying Settings,” on page 61, for more
information on settings.
20 Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly
The next step is to set the destination. By default, the destination is set to Source,
which writes the output files to the same folder as the source files originated from. You
can change the destination for organization purposes or to take advantage of larger
and faster hard disks.
You can set the destination for each individual setting or for a selected group of settings.
2 Choose a destination for your source media files in one of the following ways:
 Do nothing. Accept the default destination Source (the same folder as the source
media files originated from) specified in the Destination column.
 Use the Destination pop-up menu to change one setting at a time. Choose any pre-
existing destinations available to you from the Destination pop-up menu in the
Destination column.
Use the Destination pop-up
menu to save your output
media files to another
destination.
Select the settings to
have their destinations
changed.
 Use the Destination menu to change all selected settings at once. Select the settings for
which you want to set destinations, then choose the destination from the
Destination menu in the menu bar.
Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly 21
Note: Choosing Other allows you to choose any location currently accessible from
your desktop, including a mounted open volume. However, this volume must remain
open until the batch has been transcoded.
The destination changes to the destination you selected from the Destination menu or
pop-up menu.
See Chapter 17, “Creating and Changing Destinations,” on page 223, for more
information on destinations.
22 Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly
Because all source media files
were selected, the same
destination is assigned
to the entire batch.
Step 3: Submit the batch
Once each media file has at least one setting and destination associated with it, it
becomes a job, and your batch is ready to be submitted. Click the Submit button to
submit your batch.
A progress bar appears, indicating that the batch is being submitted, and this batch
now disappears from the Batch table.
After submitting a batch, Batch Monitor automatically opens so you can monitor the
transcoding progress of your batch.
Note: If you haven’t recently submitted a batch, you can always open Batch Monitor by
double-clicking the Batch Monitor in the Utilities folder inside the Applications folder.
See Chapter 6, “Creating Jobs and Submitting Batches,” on page 77, for more
information on jobs and batches.
Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly 23
Optional Tasks You Can Perform Before Submitting a Batch
The three steps described in the previous section show you the fastest way to
transcode media files. Although you can modify your pre-existing settings using this
method, you can’t preview your files or fine-tune any settings.
The following chapters describe additional steps that can be performed on the setting
of any job before it is submitted:
 Chapter 5, “Creating, Previewing, and Modifying Settings,” on page 61
 Chapter 6, “Creating Jobs and Submitting Batches,” on page 77
 Chapter 15, “Adding Frame Controls, Geometry, and Actions to a Setting,” on
page 195
 Chapter 16, “Using the Preview Window,” on page 209
 Chapter 17, “Creating and Changing Destinations,” on page 223
The following chapters give a more detailed look at output format settings and various
transcoding options:
 Chapter 7, “Creating Dolby Digital Professional Output Files,” on page 93
 Chapter 8, “Creating H.264 DVD Output Files,” on page 109
 Chapter 9, “Creating MPEG-1 Output Files,” on page 115
 Chapter 10, “Creating MPEG-2 Output Files,” on page 127
 Chapter 11, “Creating MPEG-4 Output Files,” on page 153
 Chapter 12, “Creating QuickTime Movie Output Files,” on page 163
 Chapter 13, “Creating QuickTime Export Component, AIFF, and TIFF Files,” on
page 177
24 Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly
2 The Basic Transcoding Workflow
2
Compressor makes it easy to transcode media into
multiple formats.
In addition, Compressor is integrated into other applications, such as Final Cut Pro, and
generates high-quality assets for use in DVD Studio Pro, providing seamless
transcoding between media formats directly within one application.
This chapter covers the following topics:
 Compressor Concepts and Terms (p. 28)
 Preparing Compressor for Transcoding (p. 28)
 Creating a Compressor Batch (p. 31)
 Viewing Transcoding Status (p. 33)
 Optional Compressor Shortcuts (p. 33)
 Setting Compressor Preferences (p. 34)
25
The following diagram illustrates how the Compressor transcoding process works. The
largest transcoding component is a batch. The batch represents all the components
needed to transcode your current media. It must contain one or more jobs. A job
consists of at least one source media file with one or more settings and destinations
associated with it. After completing the transcoding process, the resulting file is known
as the output media file. One output media file is created for each setting assigned to a
source media file.
In the illustration below, the batch contains two source media files, each of which
contains two settings (making it a job). So, the total number of output files created by
transcoding this batch will be four. Job 1 will create two output media files, as will Job 2.
Batch
Job 1 (source media file)
Output Media File 1
Setting
• Encoder
• Filters
• Geometry
• Actions
QuickTime
MPEG-1
MPEG-2
MPEG-4
AIFF
AC3
Destination
• Where to save the file
• What to name the file
Output Media File 2
Setting
• Encoder
• Filters
• Geometry
• Actions
QuickTime
MPEG-1
MPEG-2
MPEG-4
AIFF
AC3
Destination
• Where to save the file
• What to name the file
Job 2 (source media file)
Output Media File 1
Setting
• Encoder
• Filters
• Geometry
• Actions
QuickTime
MPEG-1
MPEG-2
MPEG-4
AIFF
AC3
Destination
• Where to save the file
• What to name the file
Output Media File 2
Setting
• Encoder
• Filters
• Geometry
• Actions
QuickTime
MPEG-1
MPEG-2
MPEG-4
AIFF
AC3
Destination
• Where to save the file
• What to name the file
26 Chapter 2 The Basic Transcoding Workflow
A typical Compressor transcoding process consists of the following components:
 Source media file: The transcoding process always starts with a source media file,
which is the file intended for transcoding in its original form. Source media files are
always one of the following:
 Movies: Containing video, audio, and other data (such as markers)
 Stills: Used as part of a sequence of still images for certain video productions
 Setting: Once you have imported your source media file, you must assign one or
more settings to it before it becomes a job. A setting is a combination of transcode
attributes, such as output format, filter, and geometry settings, that are applied to
the source media file during the transcoding process.
 Output (file) format: The encoder you choose to convert your source media file.
Choose one of the following output formats based on the intended playback
method and environment of your transcoded media files: AIFF, Dolby Digital
Professional, H.264 for HD DVD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, QuickTime Export
Components, QuickTime Movie, or TIFF.
 Filters: Allow you to adjust different characteristics of your video such as color,
brightness, and sharpness, to maximize your video quality as the file is compressed.
 Geometry settings: Allow you to crop the image and adjust its frame size.
 Actions settings: Allow you to send email notifications and execute post-
transcoding tasks using AppleScripts.
 Destination: A destination also needs to be assigned to the source media file. This is
the location where your transcoded media file is stored. You can either use the
default destination called Source (the same folder the source media file is in), or you
can designate any location to which you have full access.
 Job: Once you assign one or more settings and a destination to the source media
file, it becomes a job, and is ready to be transcoded.
 Batch: A batch consists of one or more jobs located in the Batch table. All jobs
contained within the batch are submitted collectively when you click the Submit
button. These jobs are then cleared from the Batch table.
 Output media file: The transcoded media files created after the batch is submitted
and processed are called output media files. An output media file is the result of a
successfully transcoded source media file (containing one setting and destination).
You can create as many output media files as there are different settings applied to
the various source media files in the batch.
Chapter 2 The Basic Transcoding Workflow 27
Compressor Concepts and Terms
 Codec: Short for COmpression/DECompression. A mathematical model for reducing
the data of a source media file.
 File Format: The output format you use to transcode your source media file.
 Group: Contains designated settings placed into a folder in the Settings tab of the
Presets window.
 Transcoding: The process of converting files from their original format into output files
ready for distribution in another format. Closely related terms include compression,
which specifically refers to data reduction, and encoding, a term which is essentially
synonymous with transcoding, but does not emphasize the conversion aspect.
 Presets (Settings and Destinations): These three related terms are central to the
Compressor workflow. Settings and destinations are two kinds of presets that you
apply to the source media files. A setting is a combination of transcode attributes, such
as output format, filter, and geometry settings. A destination preset contains all the
pathname and directory information for saving an output file to a particular location.
Preparing Compressor for Transcoding
Compressor contains a number of pre-configured settings that allow you to start
transcoding immediately. If you want to transcode your source media files immediately
and don’t need to create your own settings, you can follow the steps described in
“Quick-and-Easy Compressor Workflow” on page 18 instead.
However, if you want to create your own Settings and destinations, and customize
other attributes such as filters, cropping, frame resizing, and actions settings, you need
to follow the steps outlined below. If the custom settings you create here can be used
for all your transcoding needs, you won’t need to go through these steps again.
However, if you need to create new settings and destinations for each transcoding
project, you’ll need to repeat these steps each time.
Step 1: Create a setting
Unless you are using a pre-existing setting supplied with Compressor, you will need to
create your own settings. This is done using the Settings tab of the Presets window,
and begins with choosing an output format from the File Format menu that opens
when you click the Add ( + ) button. See “Choosing an Output Format” below for more
information. In addition, you also have the option of adding filters, geometry settings,
and post-transcoding actions, and then previewing your setting to ensure satisfaction.
See “To assign a pre-existing destination preset:” on page 68 for more information.
You can also streamline your workflow by putting your settings into groups. See
“Creating Groups of Settings” on page 75 for more information.
28 Chapter 2 The Basic Transcoding Workflow
Choosing an Output Format
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. Compressor gives you access to the
following industry-standard formats, all of which have their own particular attributes:
 QuickTime: Intended for use with QuickTime in a variety of playback environments.
Because QuickTime is cross-platform multimedia technology, it allows Mac OS and
Windows applications to capture and play back video, audio, and still-image files.
For more details on the QuickTime format, see Chapter 12, “Creating QuickTime
Movie Output Files,” on page 163.
 MPEG-1: Intended for Internet, CD ROM,. and specialized DVD use. For more details
on the MPEG-1 format, see Chapter 9, “Creating MPEG-1 Output Files,” on page 115.
 MPEG-2: Intended for standard and high definition DVD use. For more details on
the MPEG-2 format, see Chapter 10, “Creating MPEG-2 Output Files,” on page 127.
 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 Chapter 11, “Creating MPEG-4 Output
Files,” on page 153.
 H.264: Intended for a variety of uses including HD-DVD. For more details on the
H.264 format, particularly for authoring HD-based DVDs, see Chapter 8, “Creating
H.264 DVD Output Files,” on page 109.
 Dolby Digital Professional. Also known as AC3. Intended for DVD authoring. For
more details on the AC3 format, see “Creating Dolby Digital Professional Output
Files” on page 93.
 AIFF: Intended for audio use (including DVD or CD authoring). For more details on
the AIFF format, see “Creating AIFF Output Files” on page 180.
 TIFF: Compatible with a wide range of compositing and image processing
applications. For more details on the TIFF format, see “Creating TIFF Output Files”
on page 183.
Note: Compressor and QuickTime can also be extended to support additional codec
options and third-party formats. The QuickTime Export Components feature allows
you to control the third-party encoding engine without having to open another
application. For more information, see “Creating QuickTime Export Component
Output Files” on page 177.
After you have created a setting, you can further customize it with additional adjustments
such as filters (to adjust image quality), pixel size (geometry values), and post-transcoding
actions. These additional adjustments are all managed in the Inspector window. See
Chapter 14, “Adding Filters to a Setting,” on page 185 and Chapter 15, “Adding Frame
Controls, Geometry, and Actions to a Setting,” on page 195 for more information.
Chapter 2 The Basic Transcoding Workflow 29
Step 2: Preview the setting using the Preview window
It’s a good time-saving measure to preview your setting before submitting the batch.
This can be done using the Preview window, and ensures that the quality of the output
media file is acceptable. The Preview window consists of a split screen displaying the
content of your source media file in its original form in one half, and the content of
your output media file in the other half.
From the Preview window, you can any of the following:
 Play back the media file.
 Dynamically preview effects (in real time).
 Modify the effects of the filters and geometry settings of your setting.
 Compare source or output versions.
 Crop the output file frame size.
 Change the aspect ratio.
 Add various markers relevant to the MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and H.264 formats.
See “Previewing a Setting” on page 72 or Chapter 16, “Using the Preview Window,” on
page 209, for more information.
Step 3: Create a destination
By default, your transcoded file is saved in the same folder as your source media file
(Source). However, if you want to store your transcoded files in a different location, you
can create a new destination in the Destinations tab of the Presets window. Using this
tab, you can choose any folder, volume, or remote server for which you have
permissions and access to be a destination, and add useful file identifiers for your
transcoded output file. Once you have created sufficient destinations, you won’t need
to open the Destinations tab again.
Note: An iDisk volume cannot be used as a destination. If you want to save the output
media file to a mounted iDisk volume, first save the file to another destination, and
then drag the file to the mounted iDisk volume after it has been transcoded.
See Chapter 17, “Creating and Changing Destinations,” on page 223, for more
information.
30 Chapter 2 The Basic Transcoding Workflow
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