Apple Compressor 3 User Manual
Compressor 3
User Manual
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Contents
Welcome to Compressor9Preface
About Compressor9
About the Compressor Documentation9
Additional Resources10
Getting Started Quickly11Chapter 1
Terms Used by Compressor11
Quick and Easy Compressor Workflow: Batch Template Method12
Quick and Easy Compressor Workflow: Manual Method16
Optional Tasks You Can Perform Before Submitting a Batch23
Ways to Use Compressor25Chapter 2
Typical Compressor Scenarios26
Compressor Features27
The Basic Transcoding Workflow29Chapter 3
Compressor Concepts and Terms29
Preparing Compressor for Transcoding with Custom Settings32
Choosing an Output Format34
Creating a Compressor Batch35
Viewing Transcoding Status37
Optional Compressor Shortcuts37
The Compressor Interface39Chapter 4
Compressor Windows and the Transcoding Workflow40
Creating and Managing Compressor Layouts41
Working with the Compressor Windows44
Batch Window47
Settings Tab50
Destinations Tab51
Inspector Window51
History Window61
Preview Window61
Batch Monitor63
3
Droplet Windows64
About Changing Values and Timecode Entries64
Keyboard Shortcuts66
Setting Compressor Preferences67Chapter 5
About Compressor Preferences67
Using Compressor Preferences70
Importing Source Media Files75Chapter 6
About the Batch Window75
Adding Source Media Files to a Batch to Create Jobs77
Using the Inspector with Source Media Files86
Tips on Importing Source Media Files89
Creating, Previewing, and Modifying Settings93Chapter 7
About the Settings Tab93
Using the Inspector with Settings97
Duplicating Settings98
Creating a Setting from Scratch100
Previewing a Setting101
Deleting Settings103
Creating Groups of Settings104
Distributing and Sharing Settings105
Example: Creating Custom Groups and Settings for DVD106
Finalizing Jobs and Submitting Batches109Chapter 8
Assigning Settings109
Assigning Destinations114
General Job and Target Information116
General Batch Information119
Using Final Cut Pro with Compressor126
Using Distributed Processing with Compressor131
Creating AIFF Files133Chapter 9
Creating AIFF Output Files133
About the AIFF Encoder Pane134
About the Sound Settings Dialog134
QuickTime Audio Sample Sizes and Rates135
Choosing an Audio Codec for Distribution136
Configuring AIFF Settings136
Creating Dolby Digital Professional Output Files137Chapter 10
About the Dolby Digital Professional Encoder Pane138
General Information About Creating Dolby Digital Professional Files144
4 Contents
Converting Stereo Audio Files to Dolby Digital Professional Format145
Assigning Files to Surround Sound Channels (Manual Method)146
Assigning Files to Surround Sound Channels (Automatic Methods)149
Assigning Files to Surround Sound Channels with Droplets151
Options for Spatial Mixing151
Creating DV Stream Output Files153Chapter 11
About the DV Stream Encoder Pane153
DV Transcoding Workflow154
Creating H.264 for Apple Devices Output Files155Chapter 12
About the H.264 for Apple Devices Encoder Pane156
Chapter and Podcast Markers for Apple Devices160
Aspect Ratios for Apple Devices160
H.264 Workflows for Apple Devices161
Configuring Settings for H.264 for Apple Devices Output Files161
Creating H.264 for DVD Studio Pro Output Files163Chapter 13
About the H.264 for DVD Studio Pro Encoder Pane163
About the Frame Sync Setting167
Using Multi-Pass for DVD Authoring167
About the Bit-Rate Settings167
H.264 Workflows for DVD168
Creating H.264 for Blu-ray Disc169Chapter 14
About the H.264 for Blu-ray Disc Encoder Pane170
H.264 Workflows for Optical Disc172
Creating Image Sequence Files173Chapter 15
Creating Image Sequence Output Files173
About the Image Sequence Encoder Pane174
Configuring Image Sequence Settings175
Creating MP3 Output Files177Chapter 16
Common Uses for MP3177
About the MP3 Encoder Pane178
MP3 Transcoding Workflow179
Creating MPEG-1 Output Files181Chapter 17
Common Uses for MPEG-1181
MPEG-1 Specifications182
About the MPEG-1 Encoder Pane183
About the MPEG-1 Video Tab184
About the MPEG-1 Audio Tab185
5Contents
About System and Elementary Streams186
MPEG-1 Transcoding Workflow186
Configuring the MPEG-1 File Format for Web Use188
Configuring the MPEG-1 File Format for DVD Use189
Creating the MPEG-1 Video for DVD Setting190
Creating the MPEG-1 Audio for DVD Setting191
Optional—Creating an MPEG-1 for DVD Group and Destination193
Creating MPEG-2 Output Files195Chapter 18
About Standard Definition MPEG-2195
About High Definition Sources and MPEG-2196
About Elementary, Transport, and Program Streams196
About the MPEG-2 Encoder Pane197
MPEG-2 Reference Information208
MPEG-2 Transcoding Workflow213
Example MPEG-2 Settings219
Creating MPEG-4 Output Files221Chapter 19
About MPEG-4 Part 2221
About the MPEG-4 Part 2 Encoder Pane222
Using Default MPEG-4 Part 2 Settings226
Customizing MPEG-4 Part 2 Settings227
Audio Podcasting Workflow230
Adding Additional Settings and Presets233
Creating QuickTime Movie Output Files235Chapter 20
Creating QuickTime Output Files235
About the QuickTime Movie Encoder Pane236
QuickTime Transcoding Workflow242
Understanding Codecs246
QuickTime Video Codecs246
QuickTime Audio Codecs247
Creating QuickTime Export Component Files249Chapter 21
Creating QuickTime Export Component Output Files249
Installing QuickTime Export Component Plug-ins250
About the iPod Plug-in250
About the QuickTime Export Components Encoder Pane251
Configuring Export Components Settings251
Adding Filters to a Setting253Chapter 22
Working with Filters253
About the Filters Pane255
Video Filters Tab256
6 Contents
Audio Filters Tab263
Color Tab265
Adding Filters to a Setting266
Working with Frame Controls269Chapter 23
About the Frame Controls Pane269
Adding Frame Controls to a Setting274
About Deinterlacing275
About Reverse Telecine276
Using the Retiming Controls279
Adding Geometry Settings283Chapter 24
Working with Cropping, Scaling, and Padding283
About the Geometry Pane285
Making Geometry Adjustments to a Setting290
Adding Actions293Chapter 25
Working with Post-Transcoding Actions293
Adding Setting Actions293
Adding Job Actions297
Using the Preview Window309Chapter 26
About the Preview Window309
Previewing a Clip315
Transcoding a Portion of the Clip with the Preview Window320
Adding Markers to a Clip321
About the Preview Window Keyboard Shortcuts327
Creating and Changing Destinations329Chapter 27
About the Destinations Tab330
Using the Inspector with Destinations332
Creating a Destination333
Warning Triangles335
Deleting and Duplicating a Destination336
Creating Destinations for Use with DVD Studio Pro337
Using Droplets339Chapter 28
Creating Droplets340
About the Droplet Window342
Checking Droplet Settings344
Using a Droplet to Transcode Source Media Files346
Using Droplets to Create Jobs and Settings in Compressor348
Droplet Tips349
7Contents
Keyboard Shortcuts351Appendix A
General Compressor Keyboard Shortcuts351
Preview Window Keyboard Shortcuts352
Solving Problems353Appendix B
Resources for Solving Problems353
Solutions to Common Problems353
Contacting AppleCare Support358
Using the Command Line359Appendix C
Installing Apple Qmaster from the Command Line359
Using the Command Line for Distributed Processing360
Using Scripts to Run Apple Qmaster, Compressor, and Batch Monitor367
8 Contents
Welcome 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
settings and output formats.
This preface covers the following:
• About Compressor (p. 9)
• About the Compressor Documentation (p. 9)
• Additional Resources (p. 10)
About Compressor
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.
Preface
Compressor gives you resizing, cropping, image processing, encoding, and delivery
options, and offers batch processing, VBR options, and H.264 encoding. You can also use
Droplets and AppleScript, specify and save transcode settings, use filters, specify
destinations, and more. Compressor also provides a variety of output formats for Apple
Devices, DVD, web, CD, and kiosk.
About the Compressor Documentation
Compressor comes with various documents that will help you get started as well as
provide detailed information about the application. (To access onscreen help for
Compressor, open Compressor and choose Help > Compressor Help.)
• Compressor User Manual: This is a comprehensive document that describes the
Compressor interface, commands, and menus and gives step-by-step instructions for
using Compressor and accomplishing specific tasks. It is written for users of all levels
of experience.
9
• Distributed Processing Setup Guide: This guide explains how to set up and maintain a
distributed processingnetwork for use with Compressor or digital visual effects software
packages.
• Batch Monitor User Manual: This brief document describes how to use the Batch Monitor
to monitor the transcoding progress of batches and jobs.
Additional Resources
Along with the documentation that comes with Compressor, there are a variety of other
resources you can use to find out more about Compressor.
Compressor Website
For general information and updates, as well as the latest news on Compressor, go to:
• http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/compressor
Apple Service and Support Websites
For software updates and answers to the most frequently asked questions for all Apple
products, go to the general Apple Support web page. You’ll also have access to product
specifications, reference documentation, and Apple and third-party product technical
articles.
• http://www.apple.com/support
For software updates, documentation, discussion forums, and answers to the most
frequently asked questions for Compressor, go to:
• http://www.apple.com/support/compressor
For discussion forums for all Apple products from around the world, where you can search
for an answer, post your question, or answer other users’ questions, go to:
• http://discussions.apple.com
10 Preface Welcome to Compressor
Getting Started Quickly
1
Compressor contains a number of preexisting settings that allow you tostart 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 batch
templates or settings and destinations suit your transcoding needs.
This chapter covers the following:
• Terms Used by Compressor (p. 11)
• Quick and Easy Compressor Workflow: Batch Template Method (p. 12)
• Quick and Easy Compressor Workflow: Manual Method (p. 16)
• Optional Tasks You Can Perform Before Submitting a Batch (p. 23)
Terms Used by Compressor
There are a few terms used by Compressor that you should feel comfortable with before
you begin using it.
A batch is the heart of the transcode process. It contains one or more source media files,
which are the files you want to convert, or transcode, to another format. Each source
media file creates its own job. This means that a batch can contain multiple jobs, with
each job based on its own source media file.
Each job also has at least one target. The targets define what sort of output file should
be created by the transcoding process and where it should be placed. You can have
multiple targets assigned to a job, which means thatyou can easilycreate multiple output
files, each with a different format.
Each target has three parts.
• The setting: The setting part of a target defines the transcoding process, including the
encoder format that is used as well as a variety of filters and geometry attributes.
• The destination: The destination part of a target defines where the output file is saved.
It also defines the rules that are used to create theoutput filename. Compressor includes
a preference setting that allows you to specify a default destination.
11
• The output filename: You can edit the output filename part of the target if for some
reason you do not want to use the name generated based on the destination.
Note: You can transcode a job only after 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
The Basic Transcoding Workflow and Creating, Previewing, and Modifying Settings.
Quick and Easy Compressor Workflow: Batch Template Method
Batch templates simplifyand accelerate your transcoding workflow. The following workflow
shows you a quick and easy way to use Compressor with batch templates.
• Stage 1: Choosing a Batch Template
• Stage 2: Adding a Source Media File
• Stage 3: Submitting the Batch
• Stage 4: Using Post-Transcoding Actions
• Stage 5: Saving Custom Batch Templates—Optional
Stage 1: Choosing a Batch Template
To use Compressor with this workflow, you must choose a batch template.
To open Compressor and choose a batch template
1 Double-click the Compressor icon in the Applications folder.
Compressor opens with the Batch Template Chooser and an empty untitled batch with
a placeholder job.
12 Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly
The Batch Template Chooser contains options for the standard Apple batch templates
(described in step 2).
You can also add custom batch templates. For more information, see Creating a Custom
Batch Template.
Note: To see the Compressor interface configured similarly to what is shown above,
choose a Standard layout from the Layouts submenu of the Window menu. To prevent
the Batch Template Chooser from opening when you open Compressor, click the “Don’t
show this dialog again” checkbox, or, in Compressor Preferences, choose Show Blank
Template.
2 Click one of the options in the Batch Template Chooser to select it.
The standard Apple batch templates are listed below.
• Create Audio Podcast: Use this template to create an AAC audio file suitable for
podcasting and add it to the iTunes library.
• Create Blu-ray: Use this template to create BDH.264 video and Dolby DigitalProfessional
(.ac3) audio files and automatically burn them to a Blu-ray disc or an AVCHD disc (AVCHD
discs can be played in Blu-ray Disc players that are compatible with theAVCHD format).
Note: Blu-ray output options are available only on computers that have Final Cut Studio
installed.
13Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly
• Create DVD: Use this template to create a standarddefinition DVD using MPEG-2(.m2v)
video and Dolby Digital Professional (.ac3) audio and automatically burn it to a disc.
• Publish to Apple TV: Use this template to create a video file suitable for viewing on
Apple TV and add it to the iTunes library.
• Publish to YouTube: Use this template to create a video file suitable for viewing on
YouTube and upload it to a YouTube account.
• Publish to MobileMe: Use this template to create video files suitable for viewing on
MobileMe and upload them to a MobileMe account.
• Create Web Reference Movie: Use this template to create a reference movie that enables
a web browser and a server to automatically select the right movie for any device or
connection speed, without requiring the viewer to make a choice.
Note: Your choice of a template should be based on the intended use of the output
media file you are creating. If there is no obvious template for your intended workflow,
you may want to try the manual method. For more information, see Quick and Easy
Compressor Workflow: Manual Method. For information about creating custom templates,
see Creating a Custom Batch Template.
3 Click Choose.
Compressor applies a target to the placeholder job. The target contains the appropriate
transcoding setting (based on the template you chose), the default destination (Source),
and a suggested output filename, based on the source filename and the name of the
applied setting.
In the spirit of this simplified batch template workflow, it is recommended that you accept
the default destination Source (the same folder as the source media files originated from)
specified in the Destination column. For more advanced information about destinations,
see Creating and Changing Destinations.
Stage 2: Adding a Source Media File
Drag a source file from the Finder or the desktop to the placeholder job in the Batch
window.
14 Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly
Note: You can drag in only one source file because batch templates contain only one
job. If you drag multiple files to the job, only the last file is added to this job and all other
files are ignored.
Stage 3: Submitting the Batch
Once the job includes a source media file, a setting, a destination, and an output filename,
it is ready for processing.
To submit the batch for processing
Click the Submit button to submit the batch containing your job.
µ
A dialog appears where youcan name thissubmission, choose whether to use distributed
processing, and set the priority of this submission. In most cases you can leave the settings
as they are and just click Submit.
For more details about this Submit dialog, see Submitting a Batch.
After you submit a batch, you can open the Compressor History window or the
Batch Monitor application so you can monitor the transcoding progress of your batch.
You can also set Compressor Preferences to open Batch Monitor automatically.
Stage 4: Using Post-Transcoding Actions
Almost every batch template includes an automatic post-transcoding action. When
Compressor has completed transcoding one of these batch template jobs to an output
media file, it will execute a corresponding automatic action, such as uploading the file
to a YouTube account, running an Automator workflow, or burning a DVD.
For more information about job actions such as these, see Job Action Tab and Adding
Actions.
The following list indicates the default post-transcoding job action for each Compressor
batch template.
• Create Audio Podcast: Add to iTunes Library.
• Create Blu-ray: Create Blu-ray Disc.
15Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly
Note: Blu-ray output options are available only on computers that have Final Cut Studio
installed.
• Create DVD: Create DVD.
• Publish to Apple TV: Add to iTunes Library.
• Publish to YouTube: Publish to YouTube.
• Publish to MobileMe: Publish to MobileMe.
• Create Web Reference Movie: Create Web Reference Movie.
Stage 5: Saving Custom Batch Templates—Optional
For information about the optional step of creating custom templates, see Creating a
Custom Batch Template.
Quick and Easy Compressor Workflow: Manual Method
The following workflow shows you an easy way to manually build and process a batch
in Compressor.
• Stage 1: Adding Source Media Files
• Stage 2: Assigning Settings and Destinations
• Stage 3: Submitting the Batch
Stage 1: Adding Source Media Files
To use Compressor, you must first add source media files to the Batch window.
To open Compressor and add source media files to the Batch window
1 Double-click the Compressor icon in the Applications folder.
16 Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly
Compressor opens with the batch template chooser and an empty untitled batch with
a placeholder job.
2 Since this workflow is focused on the manual method rather than the batch template
method, click Cancel in the Batch Template Chooser to close it.
To prevent the Batch Template Chooser from opening in the future, select “Don’t show
this dialog again,” or, in Compressor Preferences, choose Show Blank Template.
For information about the batch template method, see Quick and Easy Compressor
Workflow: Batch Template Method.
The figure below shows the remaining windows in the Compressor interface.
Note: To see the Compressor interface configured similarly to what is shown above,
choose a Standard layout from the Layouts submenu of the Window menu.
17Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly
3 Drag source files from the Finder or the desktop to the Batch window.
The thumbnail area
of the job
Each source file creates
a job in the batch.
Target area (empty in
this case) of a job
Note: If you drag multiple files to the thumbnail area (with the arrow in this example),
only the last file is added to this job and all other files are ignored.
New jobs are created for each source file you dragged to the batch.
See About the Batch Window for more information about the controls in the Batch
window.
Stage 2: Assigning Settings and Destinations
You need to assign at least one setting to each source media file job before you can
submit the batch for processing, but you can also add multiple settings to the same job
to transcode multiple versions of the media file. Each setting-destination pair is known
in Compressor as a target.
18 Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly
To assign a setting and a destination to a job
1 Choose a setting for your source media file jobs in any of the following ways.
• To assign different settings to different jobs: Drag settings from the Settings tab to
individual jobs in the Batch window.
• To assign a single setting to multiple selected jobs: Select the jobs (source media files) in
the Batch window and choose Target > New Target With Setting. This opens a settings
selection dialog over the Batch window.
19Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly
Click Add to assign
the settings to the
selected jobs.
Select the jobs in
the Batch window.
Select the settings
to apply to the
selected jobs.
Choose one or more settings, using the disclosure triangles to revealindividual settings,
The chosen settings
are assigned as targets
to the selected jobs.
and click Add. The chosen settings are assigned to all the selected jobs.
You can also choose Edit > Select All to select all the jobs before applying the settings.
See Creating, Previewing, and Modifying Settings for more information on settings,
and Finalizing Jobs and Submitting Batches for more information about working with
jobs and targets.
The next step is to set the destination. By default, the destinationis 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.
Note: You can choose a default destination from the Compressor Preferences window.
See Setting Compressor Preferences for more information.
You can set the destination for each individual target or for a selected group of targets.
20 Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly
2 Choose a destination for your job’s targets in one of the following ways.
Use the target’s shortcut
menu to change the
destination for the
selected targets.
• Do nothing: Accept the default destination Source(the same folder as the source media
files originated from) specified in the Destination column.
• Use the target’s shortcut menu to change one setting at a time: Control-click the target
you want to change and then choose any of the preexisting destinations available to
you from the Destination submenu.
You can also choose Other from the shortcut menu to open a dialog to choose any
location available to your computer as the destination.
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.
You can select multiple targets and change all their destinations at once using the same
method. You can also use the Destination submenu of the Target menu to choose a
destination, or drag a destination from the Destinations tab to the target.
See Creating and Changing Destinations for more information on destinations.
3 You can name the batch, and save it, by choosing File > Save.
Stage 3: Submitting the Batch
Once each media file has at least one setting anddestination associated with it, it becomes
a job, and your batch is ready to be submitted. Click the Submit button to submit your
batch.
To submit a batch for processing
Click Submit.
µ
21Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly
A dialog appears where youcan name thissubmission, choose whether to use distributed
processing, and set the priority of this submission. In most cases you can leave the settings
as they are and just click Submit.
For more details about this Submit dialog, see Submitting a Batch.
After you submit a batch, you can open Batch Monitor so you can monitor the transcoding
progress of your batch. You can also set Batch Monitor to automatically open in the
Compressor Preferences window.
Note: You can always open Batch Monitor by double-clicking the Batch Monitor icon in
the Utilities folder inside the Applications folder or by clicking its icon in the Batch window.
22 Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly
You can also monitor the encoding progress in the History window.
See Finalizing Jobs and Submitting Batches for more information on jobs and batches.
Optional Tasks You Can Perform Before Submitting a Batch
The three stages described in the previous section show you the fastest way to transcode
media files. Although you can modify your preexisting 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:
• Creating, Previewing, and Modifying Settings
• Finalizing Jobs and Submitting Batches
• Adding Filters to a Setting
• Working with Frame Controls
• Adding Geometry Settings
• Adding Actions
• Using the Preview Window
• Creating and Changing Destinations
The following chapters give a more detailed look at output format settings and various
transcoding options:
• Creating AIFF Files
• Creating Dolby Digital Professional Output Files
• Creating DV Stream Output Files
• Creating H.264 for DVD Studio Pro Output Files
• Creating H.264 for Apple Devices Output Files
• Creating Image Sequence Files
• Creating MP3 Output Files
• Creating MPEG-1 Output Files
• Creating MPEG-2 Output Files
23Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly
• Creating MPEG-4 Output Files
• Creating QuickTime Movie Output Files
• Creating QuickTime Export Component Files
24 Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly
Ways to Use Compressor
2
Compressor is a powerful and flexible tool that can be used in many different ways to
achieve the results you want.
This chapter covers the following:
• Typical Compressor Scenarios (p. 26)
• Compressor Features (p. 27)
25
Typical Compressor Scenarios
CD-ROM
DVD video
Apple devices
Apple TV
iPod
iTunes
MobileMe
H.264
MP3
AC-3
MP3
MPEG-1
MPEG-4
QuickTime
AC-3
AIFF
H.264
MPEG-1
MPEG-2
AIFF
MP3
QuickTime
Blu-ray Disc
H.264
AC-3
Source media or
Final Cut Pro project
To web
QuickTime
movie
(for broadband
and lowband)
The following are typical Compressor scenarios.
• Converting source mediato oneor more different output formats: You canuse Compressor
to convert one or more media files to one or more different media file output formats.
See Quick and Easy Compressor Workflow: Manual Method for more information.
• 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 Submitting a Final Cut Pro Project for Transcoding.
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. Integration also saves hard
disk space by eliminating the need to export intermediate 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.
26 Chapter 2 Ways to Use Compressor
• Creating DVD compliant files for use with DVD Studio Pro: Before you can convert your
existing media files into DVD Studio Pro projects, you must convert the video into
MPEG-1 (SD projects only), MPEG-2 (SD and HD projects), or H.264 (HD projects only)
files. Before importing one or more media files into DVD Studio Pro, Compressor
transcodes the files into the correct format. Compressor 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 alsosupports 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
DVD-Video-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 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. Compressor includes H.264 formats that specifically target
HD DVDs, iTunes, the iPod, and Apple TV.
• 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 the Apple-supplied settings or create
new ones, making it possible to create a library of specialized settings that can be
reused.
27Chapter 2 Ways to Use 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 fade
in/fade out, timecode overlays, gamma correction, noise removal, letterbox, watermark,
color adjustment, and others. Additionally,there are audio filters for controlling dynamic
range, peak levels, equalization, and fade in/fade out.
• Previewing: You can preview your filter settings in real time using the Preview window
as you adjust them in the Inspector window. This lets you tweak the settings to your
satisfaction, before transcoding the source media file.
• Destinations: Youcan create and save destinations for your outputfiles, which can then
be assigned to each output file’s target. You can even include FTP and iDisk locations.
A destination can also specify the filenaming convention to use.
• Geometry: You can adjustyour frame size usingthe geometry Inspector window controls
and graphical controls in the Preview window. 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 or iPod.
• 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 givesyou the flexibility to automate and customize any post-encodingoperations.
• 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: Compressor offers distributed processing, distributing the work
to multiple computers that have been chosen to provide more processing power. The
distributed processing feature is limited to computers that have either Final Cut Studio
or DVD Studio Pro installed. For more details, see the Distributed Processing Setup Guide,
available in Compressor Help.
• Command-Line Features: Compressor has a number of command-line options for
submitting jobs, enabling and disabling service node and cluster-controlling services,
and monitoring batches.
28 Chapter 2 Ways to Use Compressor
The Basic Transcoding Workflow
3
Compressor makes it easy to transcode media into multiple formats. In addition,
Compressor is integrated into other applications, such as Final Cut Pro, Motion, and
Soundtrack Pro. And Compressor generates high-quality assets for use in DVD Studio Pro,
providing seamless transcoding between media formats directly within one application.
For simple or repetitive workflows, you can also use the Share feature in Final Cut Pro
and Motion. The Share feature is an easy “one-click” way to send your work to clients,
friends, and other audiences without any advanced knowledge of transcoding, delivery
file formats, or FTP protocols. From the Share window in Final Cut Pro and Motion, you
can quickly create and deliver output media files in iPod, iPhone, Apple TV, MobileMe,
DVD, Blu-ray Disc, and YouTube formats without having to open any additional
applications. For more information about the Share feature, see the Final Cut Pro
User Manual and the Motion User Manual.
This chapter covers the following:
• Compressor Concepts and Terms (p. 29)
• Preparing Compressor for Transcoding with Custom Settings (p. 32)
• Choosing an Output Format (p. 34)
• Creating a Compressor Batch (p. 35)
• Viewing Transcoding Status (p. 37)
• Optional Compressor Shortcuts (p. 37)
Compressor Concepts and Terms
This section covers some common terms that you may encounter as you use Compressor.
29
The following diagram illustrates how the standard Compressor transcoding process
Job 2
Job1
Output media file
(Job 1, Target 1)
Output media file
(Job 1, Target 2)
Output media file
(Job 2, Target 1)
Output media file
(Job 2, Target 2)
Source
media file
1
Source
media file
2
Target 1
Setting Destination
Target 2
Setting Destination
Target 1
Setting Destination
Target 2
Setting Destination
Batch
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 targets, each with a
setting and a destination associated with it. After 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 is a
job containing two targets (sets of a setting and destination). 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.
• 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. Groups
help you organize your settings and can simplify the job creation process.
• 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 that is essentially
synonymous with transcoding, but does not emphasize the conversion aspect.
• Source mediafile: 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
30 Chapter 3 The Basic Transcoding Workflow
one of the following.
• Movies: Containing video, audio, and other data (such as markers)
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