Apple Compressor - 4 Operating Instructions

Compressor 4

User Manual

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Welcome to Compressor9Preface

About Compressor9 About the Compressor Documentation10 Additional Resources10

Getting Started Quickly11Chapter 1

Terms Used by Compressor11 Quick and Easy Compressor Workflow: Batch Template Method12 Quick and Easy Compressor Workflow: Manual Method17 Optional Tasks You Can Perform Before Submitting a Batch24

Ways to Use Compressor27Chapter 2

Typical Compressor Scenarios28 Compressor Features29

The Basic Transcoding Workflow31Chapter 3

Compressor Concepts and Terms31 Preparing Compressor for Transcoding with Custom Settings34 Choosing an Output Format36 Creating a Compressor Batch37 Viewing Transcoding Status39 Optional Compressor Shortcuts39

The Compressor Interface41Chapter 4

Compressor Windows and the Transcoding Workflow42 Creating and Managing Compressor Layouts43 Working with the Compressor Windows46 Batch Window49 Settings Tab52 Destinations Tab53 Inspector Window53 History Window62 Preview Window63 Apple Qmaster Sharing Window65

Share Monitor66 Droplet Windows67 About Changing Values and Timecode Entries67 Keyboard Shortcuts69

Setting Compressor Preferences71Chapter 5

About Compressor Preferences71 Using Compressor Preferences74

Importing Source Media Files77Chapter 6

About the Batch Window77 Adding Source Media Files to a Batch to Create Jobs81 Using the Inspector with Source Media Files89 Tips on Importing Source Media Files92

Creating, Previewing, and Modifying Settings95Chapter 7

About the Settings Tab96 Using the Inspector with Settings99 Duplicating Settings100 Creating a Setting from Scratch102 Searching for a Setting103 Previewing a Setting103 Deleting Settings105 Creating Groups of Settings106 Distributing and Sharing Settings107 Example: Creating Custom Groups and Settings for DVD108

Finalizing Jobs and Submitting Batches111Chapter 8

Assigning Settings111 Assigning Destinations116 General Job and Target Information118 General Batch Information120 Using Final Cut Pro and Motion with Compressor127 Using Distributed Processing with Compressor130

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

4 Contents

Creating Common Audio Format Files137Chapter 10

Creating Common Audio Format Files137 About the Common Audio Formats Pane138 Configuring Common Audio Formats Settings138

Creating DV Stream Output Files141Chapter 11

About the DV Stream Encoder Pane141 DV Transcoding Workflow142

Creating Dolby Digital Professional Output Files143Chapter 12

About the Dolby Digital Professional Encoder Pane144 General Information About Creating Dolby Digital Professional Files150 Converting Stereo Audio Files to Dolby Digital Professional Format151 Assigning Files to Surround Sound Channels (Manual Method)152 Assigning Files to Surround Sound Channels (Automatic Methods)155 Assigning Files to Surround Sound Channels with Droplets157 Options for Spatial Mixing157

Creating H.264 for Apple Devices Output Files159Chapter 13

About the H.264 for Apple Devices Encoder Pane160 Chapter and Podcast Markers for Apple Devices163 Aspect Ratios for Apple Devices164 H.264 Workflows for Apple Devices165 Configuring Settings for H.264 for Apple Devices Output Files165

Creating H.264 for Blu-ray Disc167Chapter 14

About the H.264 for Blu-ray Disc Encoder Pane168 H.264 Workflows for Optical Disc170

Creating Image Sequence Files171Chapter 15

Creating Image Sequence Output Files171 About the Image Sequence Encoder Pane172 Configuring Image Sequence Settings173

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

5Contents

About the MPEG-1 Video Tab184 About the MPEG-1 Audio Tab185 About System and Elementary Streams186 MPEG-1 Transcoding Workflow186 Configuring the MPEG-1 File Format for Web Use187 Configuring the MPEG-1 File Format for DVD Use189 Creating the MPEG-1 Video for DVD Setting189 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 Workflow212 Example MPEG-2 Settings218

Creating MPEG-4 Output Files219Chapter 19

About MPEG-4 Part 2219 About the MPEG-4 Part 2 Encoder Pane220 Using Default MPEG-4 Part 2 Settings224 Customizing MPEG-4 Part 2 Settings225 Audio Podcasting Workflow227 Adding Additional Settings and Presets230

Creating QuickTime Export Component Files231Chapter 20

Creating QuickTime Export Component Output Files231 Installing QuickTime Export Component Plug-ins232 About the iPod Plug-in232 About the QuickTime Export Components Encoder Pane233 Configuring Export Components Settings233

Creating QuickTime Movie Output Files235Chapter 21

Creating QuickTime Output Files235 About the QuickTime Movie Encoder Pane236 QuickTime Transcoding Workflow242 Understanding Codecs246 QuickTime Video Codecs246 QuickTime Audio Codecs247

Adding Filters to a Setting249Chapter 22 Working with Filters249

6 Contents

About the Filters Pane251 Video Filters Tab252 Audio Filters Tab259 Color Tab261 Adding Filters to a Setting262

Working with Frame Controls265Chapter 23

About the Frame Controls Pane265 Adding Frame Controls to a Setting270 About Deinterlacing271 About Reverse Telecine272 Using the Retiming Controls275

Adding Geometry Settings279Chapter 24

Working with Cropping, Scaling, and Padding279 About the Geometry Pane281 Making Geometry Adjustments to a Setting285

Adding Actions289Chapter 25

Working with Post-Transcoding Actions289 Adding Setting Actions289 Adding Job Actions291

Using the Preview Window307Chapter 26

About the Preview Window307 Previewing a Clip313 Transcoding a Portion of the Clip with the Preview Window318 Working with Markers and Poster Frames319 About the Preview Window Keyboard Shortcuts326

Creating and Changing Destinations327Chapter 27

About the Destinations Tab328 Using the Inspector with Destinations330 Creating a Destination331 Warning Triangles333 Deleting and Duplicating a Destination334

Using Droplets337Chapter 28

Creating Droplets338 About the Droplet Window340 Checking Droplet Settings342 Using a Droplet to Transcode Source Media Files344 Using Droplets to Create Jobs and Settings in Compressor346 Droplet Tips347

7Contents

Apple Qmaster and Distributed Processing349Chapter 29

Distributed Processing Basics349 Basic Components of the Apple Qmaster Distributed Processing System351 Getting Started Quickly Using This Computer Plus358 Getting Started Quickly Using QuickClusters360 The Interfaces in the Apple Qmaster Distributed Processing System363 Apple Qmaster Sharing Window of Compressor370 General Information About Clusters374 Creating Clusters with Apple Qadministrator385 Setting Up for Part-Time Distributed Processing with Shake388

Keyboard Shortcuts391Appendix A

General Compressor Keyboard Shortcuts391 Preview Window Keyboard Shortcuts392

Solving Problems395Appendix B

Resources for Solving Problems395 Solutions to Common Problems395 Contacting AppleCare Support397

Using the Command Line399Appendix C Shell Commands for Submitting Compressor Jobs399

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. 10)

• 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.

Important: Compressor 4 is designed to work closely with Final Cut Pro X and later and

Motion 5 and later and is required for the Send to Compressor feature. All mentions of Final Cut Pro and Motion in this document refer to these versions.

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 comprehensive document describes the Compressor interface, commands, and menus and gives step-by-step instructions for using Compressor and accomplishing specific tasks. It also contains information for configuring an Apple Qmaster distributed processing system for more efficient transcoding and rendering. It is written for users of all levels of experience.

• Apple Qadministrator User Manual: This document explains how to manually set up and manage clusters for use in an Apple Qmaster distributed processing system.

• Apple Qmaster User Manual: This document explains how to use Apple Qmaster as a client for submitting rendering jobs from Shake, Maya, and other applications, to a distributed processing system.

• Share Monitor User Manual: This brief document describes how to use Share 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/finalcutpro/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

10 Preface Welcome to Compressor

Getting Started Quickly

Compressor contains a number of predefined settings 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 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. 17)

• Optional Tasks You Can Perform Before Submitting a Batch (p. 24)

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 that you can easily create 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 usedto create the output filename. Compressor includes a preference setting that allows you to specify a default destination.

• 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

Note: The Batch Template Chooser does not appear if you have previously selected the “Don’t show this dialog again” checkbox, or, in Compressor preferences, selected Use Blank Template. Select Show Template Chooser in Compressor preferences to have the Batch Template Chooser appear when you are creating new batches. Alternatively, you can choose File > New Batch From Template to create a new batch and have the Batch Template Chooser appear.

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 in this document, choose a Standard layout from the Layouts submenu of the Window menu.

13Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly

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 disc: Use this template to create BD H.264 video and Dolby Digital Professional (.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 the AVCHD format).

• Create DVD: Use this template to create a standard definition DVD using MPEG-2(.m2v) video and Dolby Digital Professional (.ac3) audio and automatically burn it to a disc.

• HTTP Live Streaming: Use this template to create a set of files you can use to stream a movie to iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac, using an ordinary server.

• 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.

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.

14 Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly

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.

By default, the batch templates use Source (the same folder as the source media files originated from) as the destination for the encoded files. For information about choosing other 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.

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.

15Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly

A dialog appears where you can name this submission, 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 Share Monitor application so you can monitor the transcoding progress of your batch. You can also set Compressor preferences to open Share 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 disc: Create Blu-ray disc.

• Create DVD: Create DVD.

• HTTP Live Streaming: Prepare for HTTP Live Streaming.

• Publish to Apple TV: Add to iTunes Library.

• Publish to YouTube: Publish to YouTube.

Stage 5: Saving Custom Batch Templates—Optional

For information about the optional step of creating custom templates, see Creating a

Custom Batch Template.

16 Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly

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.

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, select Use Blank Template.

For information about the batch template method, see Quick and Easy Compressor

Workflow: Batch Template Method.

17Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly

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.

3 Drag one or more source files from the Finder or the desktop to an empty area in the

Batch window (in this example, just below the empty job).

Note: If you drag multiple files to the empty job, only the last file is added to this job and all other files are ignored.

18 Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly

New jobs are created for each source file you dragged to the batch.

Each source file creates a job in the batch.

Target area (empty in this case) of a job

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.

19Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly

To assign a setting and a destination to a job

Select one or more (two in this case) settings to apply to the job.

A job with a source media file in the Batch window

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.

20 Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly

Click Add to assign the settings to the selected jobs.

Select the settings to apply to the selected jobs.

Select the jobs in the Batch window.

New targets are added for each setting you drag to the job.

Choose one or more settings, using the disclosure triangles to reveal individual settings, 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 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.

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.

21Chapter 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’s shortcut 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 and destination associated with it, it becomes a job, and your batch is ready to be submitted.

To submit a batch for processing

Click Submit.

22 Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly

For more details about this Submit dialog, see Submitting a Batch.

After you submit a batch, you can open Share Monitor so you can monitor the transcoding progress of your batch. You can also set Share Monitor to automatically open in the Compressor Preferences window.

Note: You can always open Share Monitor by double-clicking the Share Monitor icon in the Dock or by clicking its icon in the Batch window.

23Chapter 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 Common Audio Format Files

• Creating DV Stream Output Files

• Creating Dolby Digital Professional Output Files

• 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

24 Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly

• Creating MPEG-2 Output Files

• Creating MPEG-4 Output Files

• Creating QuickTime Export Component Files

• Creating QuickTime Movie Output Files

25Chapter 1 Getting Started Quickly

Ways to Use Compressor

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. 28)

• Compressor Features (p. 29)

Typical Compressor Scenarios

CD-ROM

DVD video

Apple TV

iPhone

iPad iPod

iTunes

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 moredifferent 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: 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 Project for Transcoding.

This integration with Final Cut Pro and Motion 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

28 Chapter 2 Ways to Use Compressor

degradation that can occur from multiple compression and decompression steps.

• Creating DVD compliant files: Before you can convert your existing media files into a DVD project, you must convert the video into MPEG-1 (SD projects only), MPEG-2 (SD and HD projects), or H.264 (HD projects only) files. 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 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 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 asingle- 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 media player. Compressor includes H.264 formats that specifically target Blu-ray discs, iTunes, iPhone, iPad, 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.

29Chapter 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 output files, 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 adjust your frame size using the 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-encoding operations.

• Interoperability: Compressor is an integral component of other Apple professional video applications such as Final Cut Pro and Motion. For example, you can export sequences directly from Final Cut Pro into Compressor for transcoding.

• 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 Compressor installed. For more details, see Apple Qmaster and Distributed Processing.

• 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. For more information, see Using the Command Line.

30 Chapter 2 Ways to Use Compressor

The Basic Transcoding Workflow

Compressor makes it easy to transcode media into multiple formats. In addition, Compressor is integrated into Final Cut Pro and Motion.

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 iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV, 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. 31)

• Preparing Compressor for Transcoding with Custom Settings (p. 34)

• Choosing an Output Format (p. 36)

• Creating a Compressor Batch (p. 37)

• Viewing Transcoding Status (p. 39)

• Optional Compressor Shortcuts (p. 39)

Compressor Concepts and Terms

This section covers some common terms that you may encounter as you use Compressor.

The following diagram illustrates how the standard 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 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.

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

Source

media file

Target 1

Setting Destination

Target 2

Setting Destination

Target 1

Setting Destination

Target 2

Setting Destination

Batch

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.

You should familiarize yourself with the following common 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. 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 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

32 Chapter 3 The Basic Transcoding Workflow

• QuickTime: QuickTime is cross-platform multimedia technology which allows Mac OS and Windows applications to capture and play back video, audio, and still-image files. QuickTime files can contain many different kinds of media and codecs. Codecs give instructions to QuickTime on how to play back the media.

A typical Compressor transcoding process consists of the following components.

• Setting: Once you have imported your source media file, you must assign one or more settings to it. 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, DV Stream, H.264 for Apple Devices (which contains settings for use with an iPhone, iPad, iPod, or Apple TV), Image Sequence (which supports TIFF and TARGA images), MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, QuickTime Movie, or QuickTime Export Components.

• 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 create automatic post-transcoding actions and apply

them to jobs and settings. Easily create and deliver output media files, send email notifications, and execute post-transcoding tasks using Automator.

33Chapter 3 The Basic Transcoding Workflow

• 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. You can also change the default destination inCompressor preferences. The destination also controls how the transcoded media file is named.

• Target: A blueprint for creating an output media file containing a setting, a destination, and an output filename.

• Job: Once you assign one or more targets to the source media file, it becomes a job, and is ready to be transcoded.

• Batch: A batch consists of one or more jobs that are processed at one time. All jobs contained withinthe batch are submitted collectively when you click the Submit button.

• 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.

Preparing Compressor for Transcoding with Custom Settings

Compressor contains a number of preconfigured 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: Batch Template Method instead. Or if your workflow is

not covered by any of the batch templates and you want to start transcoding immediately, you can also try the steps in Quick and Easy Compressor Workflow: Manual Method.

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.

Stage 1: Creating a Setting

Unless you are using a preexisting setting or a batch template supplied with Compressor, you will need to create your own settings. This is done using the Settings tab 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 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 Creating a Setting from

Scratch for more information.

34 Chapter 3 The Basic Transcoding Workflow

You can also streamline your workflow by putting your settings into groups. See Creating

Groups of Settings for more information.

After you have created a setting, you can further customize it with additional adjustments such as filters (to adjust image quality or add effects such as letterboxing), pixel size (geometry values), and post-transcoding actions. These additional adjustments are all managed in the Inspector window. See Adding Filters to a Setting, Working with Frame

Controls, Adding Geometry Settings, and Adding Actions for more information.

Stage 2: Previewing the Setting

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 do any of the following:

• Play 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 (compression, chapter, or podcast).

Note: Frame Controls settings cannot be previewed in the Preview window. To preview Frame Controls settings, do a test transcode of a small section of your source media file. (See Transcoding a Portion of the Clip with the Preview Window for more information.)

See Previewing a Setting or Using the Preview Window for more information.

Stage 3: Creating 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. 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.

See Creating and Changing Destinations for more information.

35Chapter 3 The Basic Transcoding Workflow

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

• QuickTime Export Components: Leveraging the component plug-in architecture of QuickTime, Compressor can output a variety of additional codec options and third-party formats such as Windows Media, RealPlayer, 3G, and AVI. The QuickTime Export Components feature allows you to control the third-party encoding engine without having to open another application. For more details onQuickTime Export Components, see Creating QuickTime Export Component Output Files.

• QuickTimeMovie: 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 Creating QuickTime Movie Output Files.

Creating a Compressor Batch

This section describes the steps in manually creating and submitting a complete Compressor batch. For a quicker and easier but more limited method, see Quick and Easy

Compressor Workflow: Batch Template Method.

Once you have the necessary settings and destinations available, you can begin to create your batch for transcoding. A batch contains one or more jobs. A job consists of one source media file with one or more targets, which contain the settings and destinations.

You can submit a batch for transcoding only after you have assigned at least one target (setting and destination) to each job (source media file) in the batch. All jobs in the batch are submitted together. Think of batches as documents that can be saved, closed, and opened again. And much like a Final Cut Pro project, a separate tab (that can be torn off) contains each Compressor batch.

Stage 1: Importing Source Media Files into Compressor

You import source media files into a batch either by using the File Selection dialog or by dragging the files from the Finder to the Compressor Batch window. You can import source media files from any folder that you have access to.

See Importing Source Media Files for more information.

Stage 2: Assigning a Setting

Once you have imported your source media file into the Batch window, you need to assign one or more settings to it. This makes it a job. A source media file can be transcoded only after it has at least one setting assigned to it, and you can add a setting to a source media file only after you have either selected a preexisting setting or created one. Your setting must have an output file format associated with it.

• If you choose a preexisting setting: The output file format has already been assigned.

• If youcreate yourown setting: You must choose an output file format from the file format menu that opens when you click the Add (+) button in the Settings tab.

37Chapter 3 The Basic Transcoding Workflow

You can add one setting to multiple jobs in one step by selecting the jobs in the Batch window and choosing a setting from the dialog that appears when you choose Target > New Target With Setting, or by Control-clicking one of the selected jobs and choosing a setting from the New Target With Setting submenu of the shortcut menu that appears.

If you have a favorite setting (preexisting or customized), you can streamline your workflow by creating a standalone application called a Droplet containing multiple settings, and use the Droplet to submit batches without opening Compressor. See Creating a Droplet

from the Settings Tab for more information.

Note: You can also create groups of settings, which is a quick and convenient way to assign multiple settings to a source media file. See Creating Groups of Settings for more information.

Stage 3: Previewing the Setting Using the Preview Window

You can either preview a source media file or the source media file with its assigned setting. From the Preview window, you can dynamically preview (in real time) and modify the effects of the filters and geometry adjustments of your setting, play back the media file, view source or output views, crop the output file frame size, change the aspect ratio, and add various markers relevant to the MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and H.264 for Apple Devices formats.

See Previewing a Setting or Previewing a Clip for more information.

Stage 4: Assigning a Destination

You can choose the location to place your output media files by assigning a destination to each target. The destination also defines various aspects of how the output media file is named. There are several supplied destinations in the Destinations tab you can choose from, or you can create your own custom destinations. In addition to assigning a destination by dragging one from the Destinations tab to a job’s target, you can also use the Target > Destination menu orthe shortcut menu that appearswhen you Control-click a target to assign an existing destination to a job. You also have the option of choosing a location that has not been defined as a destination by choosing Other in the above two menus.

See Assigning Destinations to Source Media Files for more information.

Stage 5: Submitting the Batch for Transcoding

Once you have created all the jobs you want in the batch and are satisfied with the settings and quality of your output files (having previewed them), you are ready to submit the batch. You do this by clicking the Submit button in the Batch window.

Note: If you are transcoding a large batch, you should turn off the screen saver application on your computer. This will improve the speed of your transcode because resources are not being diverted to the screen saver.

38 Chapter 3 The Basic Transcoding Workflow

See Submitting a Batch for more information.

Viewing Transcoding Status

You use Share Monitor and the History window to see the current status of a submitted batch and all the jobs contained within it. Share Monitor is a standalone application, so that it can work with both Compressor and Droplets, whether or not Compressor is open, and regardless of whether you have submitted anything. See Creating a Droplet from

the Settings Tab for more information about Droplets.

Stage 1: Viewing the Batch Transcoding Status

After you submit a batch, then you can open Share Monitor so you can view the transcoding status of your batch. This is a good way to monitor when your batch has finished transcoding and if any problems occurred during the transcode process. You can set Compressor Preferences to open Share Monitor automatically.

See Setting Compressor Preferences and the Share Monitor User Manual for more details.

Alternatively, you can look at the History window in Compressor. It contains a progress bar and, like Share Monitor, it can tell you if a submission was successfully transcoded.

Stage 2: Confirming Transcode Completion

It’s a good idea to open the transcoded media file’s destination folder to ensure that the media file was transcoded successfully and saved to that location.

Optional Compressor Shortcuts

Compressor was designed with workflow in mind. Depending on your needs, there are a number of ways to speed up the Compressor transcoding workflow.

Using Preexisting Settings

Compressor contains a number of preexisting settings that allow you to start transcoding immediately. If these preexisting settings suit your needs, you can transcode your source media files immediately.

See Quick and Easy Compressor Workflow: Manual Method for more information.

Even if you need to create custom settings, you can group them so that they can be easily applied to targets. See Creating, Previewing, and Modifying Settings for more information.

Using Default Settings and Destinations

If you find that you are applying the same settings and destinations to each source media file, you can configure Compressor preferences to automatically apply those settings and destinations. See Setting Compressor Preferences for more information.

39Chapter 3 The Basic Transcoding Workflow

Working with Droplets

Droplets provide a fast and convenient way to transcode material without even opening Compressor. You create a Droplet by saving a setting or a group of settings and destinations as an active icon. When you drag one or more source media files to it, the Droplet begins the transcoding process automatically.

See Creating a Droplet from the Settings Tab for more information.

40 Chapter 3 The Basic Transcoding Workflow

The Compressor Interface

The Compressor interface consists of a number of core windows in which you do most of your transcoding preparation work.

This chapter covers the following:

• Compressor Windows and the Transcoding Workflow (p. 42)

• Creating and Managing Compressor Layouts (p. 43)

• Working with the Compressor Windows (p. 46)

• Batch Window (p. 49)

• Settings Tab (p. 52)

• Destinations Tab (p. 53)

• Inspector Window (p. 53)

• History Window (p. 62)

• Preview Window (p. 63)

• Apple Qmaster Sharing Window (p. 65)

• Share Monitor (p. 66)

• Droplet Windows (p. 67)

• About Changing Values and Timecode Entries (p. 67)

• Keyboard Shortcuts (p. 69)

Compressor Windows and the Transcoding Workflow

Settings and Destinations tabs

Batch window

Preview window

History window

Inspector window

Each Compressor window represents a part of the transcoding workflow.

• Batch window: Allows you to import source media files, add settings and destinations, and name the batch.

• Settings and Destinations tabs: The Settings tab allows you to centrally manage Apple and custom settings. The Destinations tab allows you to create, modify, or remove destination settings, set a default destination, and add file identifiers to your output media filename.

• Inspector window: Allows you easy access to common transcoding controls, and a full summary table containing all the details of each setting. You can also use the Inspector window to gather information on source clips, and to make dynamic changes

42 Chapter 4 The Compressor Interface

interactively with the Preview window.

• Preview window: Allows you to play your source media file in its original format, or preview your source media file with settings that have been assigned to it. You can see the effects of settings—such as filters and frame resizing—and make adjustments to these attributes while previewing the media file in real time. You can also use the Preview window to add and view various kinds of markers.

• History window: The History window allows youto view a full log of all batches submitted from your computer, including progress bars of those still being transcoded, and pause or resubmit any batches listed in the log.

• Droplet window (not pictured): Allows you to save one or more settings or groups of settings into a Droplet, a standalone preset, packaged into a drag-and-drop application and saved as an icon.

• Share Monitor(not pictured): Allows you to view the status of all batches being processed. (See the Share Monitor User Manual for more information.)

Creating and Managing Compressor Layouts

As you use Compressor you will find that, depending on the particular encoding task you are configuring, how the various Compressor windows are laid out can affect how easy Compressor is to use. To help with this, Compressor includes the ability to configure and save layouts. Layouts define which windows are visible, their size, their position, and which icons are in the Batch window’s toolbar.

Compressor includes two layouts that you can use to get a starting point for creating your own custom layouts.

Note: Each layout is available in several sizes, allowing you to choose the size that best fits yourmonitor. You can modify any of these layouts and save them as your own custom layouts.

Standard Layout

The standardlayout shows all the Compressor windows, with the Settings and Destinations tabs sharing a window. This layout is optimized for those timeswhen you are transcoding a single source media file.

43Chapter 4 The Compressor Interface

Batch Layout

The batch layout places the emphasis on the Batch window. This layout is optimized for those times when you are transcoding a number of similar source media files.

Choosing, Saving, and Managing Layouts

Compressor makes it easy to choose a layout.

To choose a layout

Choose Window > Layouts, and choose a layout from the list that appears.

Once you choose a layout, the Compressor interface changes to match it.

You can also create and save your own custom layouts.

To save a layout

1 Configure the Compressor interface the way you want it to be saved.

See Working with the Compressor Windows for information on the ways you can work with the various windows.

2 Choose Window > Save Layout.

3 In the dialog that appears, enter a name for the layout and click Save.

The layout is saved and appears in the Window > Layouts list.

You can manage the layouts list by removing or renaming existing layouts.

To manage your layouts

1 Choose Window > Manage Layouts.

44 Chapter 4 The Compressor Interface

The layout manager dialog appears.

2 Do any of the following:

• To rename a layout: Double-click it and type the new name.

• To remove a layout: Select it and click the Delete (–) button.

• To save the current interface configuration as a new layout: Click the Add (+) button and enter a name for the layout.

• To choose a layout and apply it to the current Compressor interface: Choose the layout and click the Apply button.

3 Click Done when you have finished managing your layouts.

The layout manager closes and the Compressor interface changes to match the chosen layout setting.

Note: The layouts list is actually divided into two sections—the ones supplied by Apple and the ones that you create. You cannot rename or delete the Apple-supplied layouts. The ones that you create are listed in alphabetical order. Use care when naming your layouts to ensure you can easily locate them in the list.

About the Layout Files

If you have several workstations using Compressor, you might find that you want to be able to have the same layouts available on all of them.

You can accomplish this by copying the layout files from one system to another, ensuring you put them in the correct location. The layouts are stored in the following path: Users/username/Library/Application Support/Compressor/Layouts. The layouts all have a .moduleLayout extension.

Important: Do not manually add or remove the layout files while Compressor is open.

Compressor checks this location for available layouts as part of its startup process. You must restart Compressor to have it recognize any changes you have made to these files.

45Chapter 4 The Compressor Interface

Working with the Compressor Windows

Drag this corner to resize the window.

While the standard and batch workflow layouts present the Compressor interface as a single large element, it is actually composed of a number of individual windows that can be positioned and sized to best suit your needs.

Why Are Some Windows Covered Up?

Because the Compressor interface is made up of individual windows, you may find that when you switch from Compressor to another application and then switch back to Compressor by clicking one of its windows, only that window appears, with the others remaining covered by other windows you might have open.

To bring all Compressor windows to the front

Do one of the following:

When switching between applications, take advantage of the built-in application switching

feature of Mac OS X. Press Command-Tab to have an application selection dialog appear. As you hold down the Command key, you can press the Tab key to cycle through the currently running applications, releasing the Command key once the Compressor icon is selected. This ensures that all the Compressor windows are visible.

Choose Window > Bring All to Front.

Click the Compressor application icon in the Dock.

Note: The Compressor toolbar, located along the top of the Batch window, makes it easy to navigate to the main Compressor windows and to Share Monitor.

Resizing the Compressor Windows

All the Compressor windows can be resized with the exception of the Inspector window, which has a fixed size.

Each window has a minimum size limit, both horizontally and vertically, that affects how small you can make the window.

To resize a window

Drag the window’s lower-right corner to stretch or compress the window horizontally or

vertically.

Note: As you reposition or resize a window, it will snap to a nearby window once you get close to it. This makes it easy to create a neat layout without gaps or overlaps.

46 Chapter 4 The Compressor Interface

About the Tabs

The Batch window and the Settings and Destinations window can have multiple tabs.

• The Batchwindow: When you are working with a large monitor and have several batches open, you might want to be able to see each of them in its own window.

• The Settingsand Destinations tabs: By default, the Settings tab and the Destinations tab are located in the same window. You can choose to have each in its own window or to close one of the tabs. You can even choose to add any of the other windows (except the Batch window) as an additional tab to the window.

In both cases, you can also control the order of the tabs.

To move a tab to its own window by dragging

1 Drag the tab out of its current location.

47Chapter 4 The Compressor Interface

2 Release the tab to have it appear in its own window.

To move a tab to its own window using a shortcut menu

Control-click the tab and choose Tear Off Tab from the shortcut menu.

The tab opens in its own window.

To add a tab from one window to another window by dragging

1 Drag the tab to the tab area of the window you want to add it to.

A highlight appears around the tab area.

2 Release the tab.

48 Chapter 4 The Compressor Interface

It snaps to the tab area and its original window closes.

Job area

Toolbar

Batch tabs

Batch status

Show/hide

toolbar button

Batch submission button

To add a tab from one window to another window by using a shortcut menu

Control-click the tab area where you want the window to appear, and choose the tab

from the list that appears in the shortcut menu.

Note: This is the only method that allows you to add the History, Preview, or Inspector tabs to the window.

To change the order of the tabs in their current window

Drag the tab left or right to its new position.

The other tabs move to make room for it.

Once you have the Compressor interface configured as you like it, you can save it as a layout. That makes it easy to restore the layout or to switch between it and other layouts. See Creating and Managing Compressor Layouts for more information.

Batch Window

When you first open Compressor, the Batch window appears. The Batch window allows you to import source media files for compressing, add settings and destinations, name the batch, and choose where you want to save it. The Batch window is where you place all source media files in preparation for transcoding.

Note: Generally the Batch window is always showing. If you close it, it will reopen when you create a new batch (File > New Batch) or open an existing batch (File > Open).

You can use the Compressor menu bar or the toolbar at the top of the Batch window to open all other windows. (If the toolbar isn’t visible when you open Compressor, click the button in the upper-right corner of the Batch window to open it.)

49Chapter 4 The Compressor Interface

In additionto theCompressor toolbar and theSubmit button,the Batch window contains the tabs for the open batches and an area for showing and configuring a batch’s jobs. For information about adding source media files to a batch, see Adding Source Media

Files to a Batch to Create Jobs. For information on working with jobs and targets, see Finalizing Jobs and Submitting Batches.

Customizing the Toolbar

The Batch window contains a toolbar that you can customize to better fit your needs.

Note: If the toolbar isn’t visible when you open Compressor, click the button in the upper-right corner of the Batch window to open it.

To customize the Batch window toolbar

1 Do one of the following to open the toolbar customization palette:

• Choose View > Customize Toolbar.

• Control-click in the toolbar and choose Customize Toolbar from the shortcut menu.

• Click the Customize icon in the toolbar (if present).

The toolbar palette opens.

2 To customize the toolbar, do any of the following:

• To remove items currently in the toolbar: Drag them off.

• To add items to the toolbar: Drag them from the toolbar palette to the toolbar, placing them where you want them to appear.

• Torearrangeitems in the toolbar: Drag them fromtheir current location to a new location.

• To restore the toolbar to its default configuration: Drag the default set (located on the bottom of the palette) to the toolbar.

• To configure how items show in the toolbar: Choose a setting from the Show pop-up menu.

50 Chapter 4 The Compressor Interface

You can choose to show the icon and text, the icon only, or the text only.

Click these arrows to see items that did not fit in the toolbar.

3 Click Done when you have finished.

Note: The toolbar configuration is saved as part of a layout. See Creating and Managing

Compressor Layouts for more information about layouts.

It is possible to add more items to the toolbar than there is room for. When that happens, the right edge of the toolbar shows a double arrow that you can click to get access to the icons that do not fit.

About the Toolbar Items

Most of the items you can add to the toolbar can be added only once. There are a few that can be added multiple times, such as the separator, the space, and the flexible space.

• New Batch: Creates a new untitled batch.

• Open Batch: Opens a dialog for you to locate and select a saved batch to open.

• Close: Closes the currently selected batch.

Note: You cannot close a batch if it is the only one open.

• Add File: Opens a dialog for you to locate and select one or more source media files to import into the current batch.

• Add Surround Sound: Opens the audio file assignment dialog that you can use to manually assign files to each audio channel in a surround sound configuration.

• Add Image Sequence: Opens a dialog for you to locate and select the folder containing the source media image sequence files.

• Submit withPreviousSettings: Submits the batch by using the settingsused by previous batch submissions, bypassing the submission dialog.

• History: Opens the History window.

• Inspector: Opens the Inspector window.

• Settings: Opens the Settings tab.

• Destinations: Opens the Destinations tab.

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• Preview: Opens the Preview window.

• Share Monitor: Opens the Share Monitor application.

• Create Droplet: Opens a settings selection dialog for you to select the settings for this Droplet.

• Separator: Adds a vertical line to the toolbar, allowing you to group items together.

• Space: Adds a fixed-width space to the toolbar.

• Flexible Space: Adds a flexible-width space to the toolbar. The space makes it possible to force items to the left and right edges of the toolbar, with it expanding to fill any unused area.

• Customize: Opens the toolbar customization palette.

Settings Tab

The Settings tab allows you to centrally manage Apple and custom settings. You use the Settings tab together with the Inspector window to create and modify settings, decide exactly which settings you want to use to transcode your source media file, and choose which output format you want the transcoded file converted to.

To open the Settings tab

Do one of the following:

Choose Window > Settings (or press Command-3).

Click the Settings icon in the Batch window toolbar (if present).

Click the Settings tab (if present).

The Settings tab contains a list of the existing settings and the necessary buttons to add, remove, or duplicate a setting and to create groups and Droplets.

52 Chapter 4 The Compressor Interface

See Creating, Previewing, and Modifying Settings for details on using the Settings tab to create, manage, and choose settings.

Destinations Tab

The Destinations tab allows you to create, modify, or remove destination settings, set a default destination, and add file identifiers to your output media filename.

To open the Destinations tab

Do one of the following:

Choose Window > Destinations (or press Command-4).

Click the Destinations icon in the Batch window toolbar (if present).

Click the Destinations tab (if present).

See Creating and Changing Destinations for details on how to configure destinations to simplify your Compressor workflow.

Inspector Window

The Inspector window has easy access to common transcoding controls (for creating and modifying settings and destinations); a full summary table containing all the details of each setting; and information about source media files, including A/V attributes, closed caption data, annotations, and job actions.

To open the Inspector window

Do one of the following:

Choose Window > Show Inspector.

Click the Inspector icon in the Batch window toolbar.

53Chapter 4 The Compressor Interface

Note: Unlike the other Compressor windows, the Inspector window cannot be resized.

The Automatic button is dark when active, and its item is dimmed.

The Automatic button is dimmed when inactive, and its item is selectable.

About the Automatic Settings

Several itemsin the settings panes have an optional automatic mode. When the automatic mode is enabled, Compressor determines the optimal value for the setting.

In general, when the automatic mode is active, its item is dimmed and cannot be changed.

• If the setting has not been assigned to a source media file: The item says “Automatic.” An exception is in the Frame Controls pane of the Inspector window, whose state is undetermined until you have applied the setting to a source media file.

• If the setting has been assigned to a source media file: The item remains dimmed but shows the value that will be used.

When the automatic mode is inactive, its button is dimmed and you can choose values for an item as usual.

You can turn the Automatic button on or off to change from on (the button darkens) to off (the button lightens).

Tip: It is a good idea to verify the values in the Inspectors for those settings that are set to automatic. Compressor can usually correctly determine the appropriate values; however, there may be instances where there is not enough information in the source media file to determine the correct value. For example, some QuickTime clips might not have proper metadata or the metadata might be incorrect. Additionally, if the source media file uses nonstandard settings (such as the video frame size or frame rate), Compressor chooses the nearest standard value to use.

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Media Source Files and the Inspector Window

When you select ajob in the Batch window, theInspector windowshows youinformation about the job’s source media file and allows you to add annotations, closed caption files, and job actions.

The Inspector window contains three tabs: A/V Attributes, Additional Information, and Job Action.

A/V Attributes Tab

The A/V Attributes tab contains general information about the source media file and is divided into three sections.

• File information: This section shows the filename, location, and type of file.

• Video information: This section, when applicable, shows all video-related information about the file. This includes its frame size, frame rate, and timecode information.

• Audio information: This section, when applicable, shows all audio-related information about the file. This includes its sample size and sample rate.

Additional Information Tab

The Additional Information tab allows you to see and modify a variety of metadata items that might have been added in other applications such as Final Cut Pro or QuickTime. You can also add metadata items to the output media file. It also includes the ability to associate a closed caption file with the file.

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See Additional Information Tab for more information on managing the closed caption files and annotations.

• Closed Captionfile field: Displays the name of the closed caption file currently associated with the source media file.

• Choose (closed caption) button: Use this button to open a dialog and navigate to the the closed caption file you want to associate with the source media file.

• Clear button: Use this button to remove the associated closed caption file.

• Annotations table: Displays the current annotation types and the corresponding annotation text.

• Add Annotation pop-up menu: Use this menu to choose the type of annotation you want to add to the source media file.

• Remove (annotation) button: Use this button to remove the selected annotation.

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Job Action Tab

The Job Action tab allows you to apply and adjust post-transcoding actions to entire jobs. See Adding Actions for more information.

• When job completes pop-up menu: Use this pop-up menu to select and apply a post-transcoding action for a job selected in the Batch window.

About the Settings Panes

When you select a setting in the Settings tab or a target in a batch’s job, the Inspector shows one of six panes.

Summary Pane

The Summary pane contains the Summary table, which describes all the settings (video and audio settings, geometry, and filter settings) associated with the setting selected in the Settings tab. Information in the Summary table is updated automatically whenever any setting is modified.

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The Summary table includes the following details.

• Name: The name of the setting selected in the Settings tab.

• Description: A description of the setting selected in the Settings tab.

• File Extension: The extension assigned to the transcoded media file. This identifies which format your source media file is being converted to.

• Estimated filesize: When assigned to a source media file, this shows the estimated total file size. When not assigned to a source media file, this shows an estimated size per hour of source media.

Note: The estimated total file size is not available for all output formats.

• Audio Encoder: Details of the audio output file format and other transcoding settings, such as sample rate, channels, bits per sample, and codec type.

• Video Encoder: Details of the video output file format and other transcoding settings such as frame width and height, crop amount (in pixels), frame rate, aspect ratio, codec type, pixel depth, spatial quality, minimum spatial quality, key frame interval, temporal quality, minimum temporal quality, and data rate (in bits per second).

• Filter: Details of all, some, or none (depending on how many filters you selected in the Filters pane) of the available Compressor filters.

Encoder Pane

You use the Encoder paneto select and configure the output file format and other settings. The file format options and attributes are different for each format.

• File Format: Use this pop-up menu to choose an output file format. See Choosing an

Output Format for more information on the available output formats.

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• File Extension field: The following file extensions automatically appear in this field based on the format you choose from the File Format pop-up menu, and if video and audio tracks are enabled. Don’t alter this field without good reason, because your file may not be recognized if you do.

• aiff: Represents AIFF.

• ac3: Represents Dolby Digital Professional.

• caf: Represents Apple CAF files.

• dv: Represents Digital Video (DV) format video.

• mpg: Represents MPEG-1 multiplexed (video and audio) stream.

• m1v: Represents MPEG-1 video elementary stream.

• m1a: Represents MPEG-1 audio elementary stream.

• m2v: Represents MPEG-2 video elementary stream.

• m2t: Represents MPEG-2 transport stream.

• mpeg: Represents MPEG-2 program stream.

• m4v: Represents H.264 for Apple Devices.

• mp4: Represents MPEG-4.

• mov: Represents QuickTime.

• tga: Represents TARGA.

• tiff: Represents TIFF.

• Allow JobSegmenting: This checkbox allows you to turn off job segmenting. It is relevant only if you are using Compressor with distributed processing and with two–pass or multi-pass encoding. For more information, see Job Segmenting and Two-Pass or

Multi-Pass Encoding.

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Frame Controls Pane

This pane of the Inspector offers automatic and customized settings for advanced image analysis in frame resizing and frame retiming.

Frame resizing would be necessary when transcoding between a high definition format such as 1080i and a standard definition format such as DV-NTSC. An example of frame retiming would be when transcoding between video formats with different frame rates such as NTSC (29.97 frames per second) and PAL (25 frames per second). For more information about the Frame Controls pane, see About the Frame Controls Pane.

Filters Pane

You use the Filters pane to add filters to your setting. You can perform tasks such as gamma correction and noise removal from here.

60 Chapter 4 The Compressor Interface

Select the checkbox next to any of the filters you want to include in a particular setting. Use each filter’s sliders or arrow controls to adjust your filter settings as necessary.

Filters are applied to the source media file in the order you organize them in the Filters list. You can reorder filters by dragging them up or down in this list.

For more information about the Filters pane, see About the Filters Pane.

Geometry Pane

You use the options in the Geometry pane to crop and size the media file being compressed and set its aspect ratio.

The Geometry pane has three sections:

• Source inset(Cropping): Use any of the four fields to enter the number of pixels by which you want to reduce the source media file size, or choose a setting from the “Crop to” pop-up menu to have Compressor enter crop values based on the source media file video content.

• Dimensions (encoded pixels): Use the Frame Size pop-up menu or these fields to create an appropriate output frame size and aspect ratio for your output media file. Use the Pixel Aspect pop-up menu to set width and height values to conform to a designated pixel aspect ratio.

• Output image inset (Padding): Use the Padding pop-up menu to calculate the output height or width values. With Custom selected, you can enter values in the fields.

For more information about the Geometry pane, see Adding Geometry Settings.

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Actions Pane

You use the Actions pane to activate transcode-completion notification emails and assign a default destination to this setting.

• Email Notification to checkbox and field: Use to enter the address to which you want an email notification sent after the media file has been transcoded, or in the event of an error.

• Default Destination: Choose a destination from the pop-up menu that you want this setting to use as its default.

For more information about the Actions pane, see Adding Actions.

History Window

The History window gives you quick access to and some information about previously submitted batches. You can use this window to pause a transcoding operation, resubmit batches by dragging them to the Batch window, or view submission details about particular batches. You can also use it to locate the output media files from previously submitted batches.

The History window also contains a progress bar that you can use to monitor the status of previously submitted batches.

To open and close the History window

Do one of the following:

Choose Window > History (or press Command-1).

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Click the History button in the Batch window toolbar.

Note: The History window automatically opens if it is closed when you submit a batch for transcoding.

The History window contains entries that display information about the batch name and the date and time it was originally transcoded. The entries are ordered by date, with the oldest first. When you drag a batch into the Batch window forresubmission, a new untitled batch is created for it (any existing batches are unaffected).

For more information about the controls and settings in the History window, see About

the History Window.

Preview Window

The Preview window consists of a split screen that displays your selected source media file in its original form on the left side, and what your output media file will look like on the right side. This allows you to make a comparison between the original and transcoded versions and adjust your settings as necessary. Using the options in this window, you can crop the frame, add key frames, and change the aspect ratio.

To open the Preview window

Do one of the following:

Choose Window > Preview (or press Command-2).

63Chapter 4 The Compressor Interface

Click the Preview button in the Batch window toolbar.

Marker pop-up menu button

The Preview window hasadditional features, including a Marker pop-up menu. The Marker pop-up menu allows you to import chapter lists or manually add chapter (and podcast) markers and compression markers (to improve the compression quality of your media file).

For more information about the controls and settings in the Preview window, see About

the Preview Window.

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Apple Qmaster Sharing Window

Compressor includes a distributed processing feature that you can use to speed up your transcoding jobs. It allows you to harness the power of multiple computers on your local network to spread out the work. The Apple Qmaster Sharing window, opened by choosing Apple Qmaster > Share This Computer, provides most of the controls needed to configure a distributed processing system. For details on setting it up, see Apple Qmaster and

Distributed Processing.

65Chapter 4 The Compressor Interface

Share Monitor

You use Share Monitor to monitor the progress of all transcoding batch activity, including estimates for the transcoding time remaining for all jobs. Share Monitor is a separate application that can be opened without opening Compressor. For more details on Share Monitor, see the Share Monitor User Manual.

To open Share Monitor

Click the Share Monitor button in the Batch window toolbar.

You can also set Compressor preferences so that Share Monitor opens automatically when you submit a batch. See Setting Compressor Preferences for more information.

Share Monitor displays the status of all your submitted batches, including each batch’s name and other details. You can view reports for both successful and failed jobs in Share Monitor as well as the History window.

For more information about the controls and settings in Share Monitor, see the Share Monitor User Manual.

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Droplet Windows

Drag selected source media files to a Droplet to transcode them.

You can save one or more settings or groups of settings into a Droplet, a standalone preset, packaged into a drag-and-drop application and saved as an icon. Then you can transcode source media files (without even opening Compressor) by simply dragging them to a Droplet icon. See Using Droplets for information on creatingand using Droplets.

You can open any Droplet and view its window for full details about the Droplet.

To open a Droplet window

Double-click a Droplet icon.

For more information about the controls and settings in the Droplet window, see About

the Droplet Window.

About Changing Values and Timecode Entries

Compressor includes several types of value entry methods. Most of them have features that can make changing the values or timecode fields much easier.

67Chapter 4 The Compressor Interface

Using Value Sliders

Value slider with combined slider and numeric entry field

Separate slider and numeric entry field

There are two methods used to enter general numeric values: traditional sliders with separate numeric entry fields and value sliders that combine the slider with the numeric entry field.

Value sliders allow you to enter a specific number in the value field or to drag in the value field to set a value. When using the value sliders, you can use a modifier key to make normal, small, or large value adjustments. Dragging in the middle area (where the number is) works the same as an ordinary slider; dragging to the right increases the value and dragging to the left decreases the value. Additionally, you can click the right or left arrow to change the value one step at a time. You can also double-click the number itself and type a new number to enter a specific number in the value field.

To change values in normal increments

Do one of the following:

Drag left or right in the value field.

Click the left arrow to decrease a value, or click the right arrow to increase a value.

If you have a three-button mouse with a scroll wheel, click in the value field and use the

scroll wheel on the mouse.

To change values in fine increments

Do one of the following:

Option-drag in the value field.

Option-click the left arrow to decrease a value, or Option-click the right arrow to increase

a value.

If you have a mouse with a scroll wheel, Option-scroll in the value field.

To change values in coarse increments

Do one of the following:

Shift-drag in the value field.

Shift-click the left arrow to decrease a value, or Shift-click the right arrow to increase a

value.

If you have a mouse with a scroll wheel, Shift-scroll in the value field.

When a value slider or value field is active (highlighted), press Tab to move to the next field.

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Using Timecode Value Sliders

Compressor uses timecode value sliders for all timecode entry fields. In addition to being able to enter timecode values directly, you can “scrub” the timecode value by dragging.

If you place the pointer over a segment of the timecode, small arrows appear above and below that segment.

You can drag up or to the right to increase the value in that segment (values in segments to the left will also increment if your dragging causes the selected segment to roll over). Dragging to the left or down decreases the value. You can hold down the Option key to make the value changes slower, or the Shift key to make them faster.

Alternatively, you can click the up and down arrows on each side of the timecode value or press the keyboard’s Up Arrow and Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease the timecode value.

You can control which segment is affected by the up and down arrows by selecting a segment so that a caret appears below the segment. You can also use the keyboard’s Left Arrow and Right Arrow keys to select other segments.

Keyboard Shortcuts

For complete lists of Compressor keyboard shortcuts, see General Compressor

Keyboard Shortcuts and Preview Window Keyboard Shortcuts.

69Chapter 4 The Compressor Interface

Setting Compressor Preferences

You can use Compressor preferences to configure many aspects of Compressor.

This chapter covers the following:

• About Compressor Preferences (p. 71)

• Using Compressor Preferences (p. 74)

About Compressor Preferences

Use the Compressor Preferences window to configure a variety of Compressor controls.

The Compressor Preferences window contains the following controls.

Compressor Preferences Details

• Email Address: Use this field to enter the default email address for email notification.

• Outgoing Mail Server: For more information about email notification, see Working with

Post-Transcoding Actions.

• Automatically launch ShareMonitor: Use this checkbox to control whether Share Monitor automatically opens when you submit a batch.

• Display job thumbnails: Use this checkbox to control whether thumbnail images are displayed for jobs in a batch.

• Cluster Options: Choose one of the following to control cluster options (for distributed processing scratch storage settings).

• Copy source to cluster as needed: Instructs Compressor to copy source files to a

cluster’s scratch storage location as needed.

• Always copy source to cluster: Requires Compressor to always copy source files to a

cluster’s scratch storage location.

• Never copy source to cluster: Prevents Compressor from copying source files.

• Never copy files to/from cluster: Prevents Compressor from copying any files. Either

all the files are in the correct locations, or the batch fails.

• Copy at submission (high priority): Use this checkbox to control whether Compressor transfers Source files to the processing cluster immediately.

• Default Setting: Use the Default Setting pop-up menu to choose from the list of existing settings.

• Default Destination: Use the Default Destination pop-up menu to choose from the list of existing destinations.

• For New Batches: Choose one of the following options for setting the Compressor startup screen.

• Show Template Chooser: Compressor opens with the Batch Template Chooser on

startup.

• Use Blank Template: Compressor opens with an empty untitled batch with a

placeholder job.

• Allow connections from other computers: Use this checkbox to control whether remote computers running Share Monitor can view this computer’s job status. Share Monitor on the remote computer only needs to know the IP address or hostname. (There is no password to enter.)

• Enter IP addresses or ranges for manually selected computers: This table displays information about remote host computers.

• Add/Remove button: Use this button to add or remove information about remote host computers.

72 Chapter 5 Setting Compressor Preferences

Remote Computer Address Dialog

The remote computer address dialog is displayed when you click the Add/Remove button in the main Compressor Preferences window. Use this window to enter IP addresses or ranges for manually selected computers.

This dialog contains the following controls:

• Host/Host IP address range buttons: These buttons control whether this dialog is in IP Address mode (in which you enter a specific address) or IP Address Range mode (in which you enter a range of addresses).

• Host: Use this mode to enter a host name and IP address for a specific remote

computer.

• Host IP address range: Use this mode to enter a name and set of range numbers

(Range From, Range To) for a range of remote IP addresses.

73Chapter 5 Setting Compressor Preferences

Using Compressor Preferences

Follow the instructions below to set Compressor preferences.

To open Compressor preferences

Choose Compressor > Preferences, or press Command-Comma (,).

The Preferences window appears.

To configure the email notification preference

1 Enter the default email address to use when email notification is activated.

You can change this address in the Actions pane of the Inspector window.

2 Enter the mail server used by this computer for outgoing email.

For more information about email notification, see Working with Post-Transcoding Actions.

To set whether or not Share Monitor automatically opens

Do one of the following:

Select the “Automatically launch Share Monitor” checkbox to have Share Monitor

automatically open when you submit a batch.

Deselect the “Automatically launch Share Monitor” checkbox to prevent Share Monitor

from automatically opening. You can still manually open Share Monitor from the Batch window.

74 Chapter 5 Setting Compressor Preferences

To control whether Compressor remains running after a batch has been submitted through it by another application (such as Final Cut Pro)

Do one of the following:

Select “Quit after submitting batches from other applications” to have Compressor quit

once the batch has been submitted.

Deselect “Quit after submitting batches from other applications” to have Compressor

continue running once the batch has been submitted.

To control whether thumbnail images are displayed for each job in a batch

Select “Display job thumbnails” to have Compressor display the images.

Deselect “Display job thumbnails” to have Compressor not display the images.

To control cluster options (for distributed processing scratch storage settings)

Choose an option from the Cluster Options pop-up menu:

• Copy source tocluster as needed: Instructs Compressor to copy source files to a cluster’s scratch storage location as needed.

• Always copy source to cluster: Requires Compressor to always copy source files to a cluster’s scratch storage location.

• Never copy source to cluster: Prevents Compressor from copying source files.

• Never copy files to/from cluster: Prevents Compressor from copying any files. Either all the files are in the correct locations, or the batch fails.

To control whether Compressor transfers Source files to the processing cluster immediately

Do one of the following:

Select “Copy at submission (high priority)” to have Compressor transfer source files

immediately.

Deselect “Copy at submission (high priority)” to prevent Compressor from transferring

source files immediately.

To control the default setting

Use the Default Setting pop-up menu to choose from the list of existing settings.

The setting you choose appears as the default setting when you import a new source file in the Batch window.

To change the default destination

Use theDefault Destination pop-up menu to choose from the list of existing destinations.

The destination you choose appears as the default destination when you import a new source file in the Batch window.

75Chapter 5 Setting Compressor Preferences

To control whether Compressor displays the Batch Template Chooser on startup

Select Show Template Chooser to display the Batch Template Chooser on startup.

Select Use Blank Template to not display the Batch Template Chooser on startup.

To control whether other computers with Share Monitor can view this computer’s job status

Select “Allow connections from other computers” to allow remote computers running

Share Monitor to monitor this computer’s job status.

The remote computer needs to know this computer’s IP address or hostname. (There is no password.)

To enter IP addresses or ranges for remote host computers

1 Click Add (+) at the bottom of the Compressor Preferences window.

The host address dialog appears.

2 In the host address dialog, do one of the following:

• Select Host, complete the Host Name and IP Address fields, and click Add Host.

Note: You can also enter only the host name or the IP address and press the Tab key. If a corresponding host name or IP address is found, the match is entered in the field automatically.

• Select “Host IP address range,” complete the Range fields, and click Add Range.

The hosts or host ranges appear in the Host table in the main Preferences dialog.

Important: Any changes you make to the Compressor preference settings take effect

only when you click OK. If you make changes but decide not to use them, click Cancel.

76 Chapter 5 Setting Compressor Preferences

Job area

Toolbar

Batch tabs

Batch status

Show/hide

toolbar button

Batch submission button

Importing Source Media Files

The first step in the traditional Compressor transcoding process is to import at least one source media file into the Batch window.

Note: If you are using the batch template workflow, the first step would be to choose a batch template. For more information about the simple batch template workflow, see

Quick and Easy Compressor Workflow: Batch Template Method.

This chapter covers the following:

• About the Batch Window (p. 77)

• Adding Source Media Files to a Batch to Create Jobs (p. 81)

• Using the Inspector with Source Media Files (p. 89)

• Tips on Importing Source Media Files (p. 92)

About the Batch Window

The Batch window provides a central location for organizing your transcoding tasks and quickly assigning settings. When you first open Compressor, an untitled Batch window appears. Think of batches as documents that can be saved, closed, and opened again. You use the toolbar at the top of the Batch window to open all other task windows.

General Batch Window Information

Each tab is for a different batch.

The new batch’s tab

Batches are the heart of your Compressor workflow, and the Batch window is where you work with the batches. The Batch window supports having multiple batches open at once, showing them as separate tabs.

To create a new batch

Choose File > New Batch (or press Command-N).

A new untitled batch is added to the Batch window. Depending on how For New Batches is configured in Compressor preferences, the Batch Template Chooser may appear.

Note: To create a new batch and make sure the Batch Template Chooser appears, choose File > New Batch from Template (or press Command-Shift-N).

See Saving and Opening a Batch File for more information about batch files. See About

the Batch Template Chooser for more information about the Batch Template Chooser.

You can even have multiple Batch windows open, with each containing a different batch, by dragging a batch’s tab to a new location. See About the Tabs for information on dragging tabs to open or close additional Batch windows.

The Batch window has a Submit button, located in the lower-right corner, that you can use to begin transcoding the currently selected batch. The lower-left corner shows the status of the current batch (how manyjobs it contains and whether it has been submitted).

About the Batch Template Chooser

To simplify common workflows, Compressor includes a Batch Template Chooser that can appear anytime you create a new batch. The For New Batches setting in Compressor Preferences controls whether the Batch Template Chooser appears. See About Compressor

Preferences for details on this setting.

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The Batch Template Chooser contains a variety of options you can choose from to configure a new batch.

Choosing a template adds one or more settings to the batch, as well as a job action to be executed once the batch output is finished.

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 DVD: Use this template to create a standard definition DVD using MPEG-2(.m2v) video and Dolby Digital Professional (.ac3) audio and automatically burn it to a disc.

• HTTP Live Streaming: Use this template to create a set of files you can use to stream a movie to iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac, using an ordinary server.

• 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.

Compressor Workflow: Manual Method. For information about creating custom templates,

see Creating a Custom Batch Template.

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Creating a Custom Batch Template

Show/hide toolbar button (with the toolbar hidden in this example)

You can save any batch as a custom batch template. Custom batch templates appear as options in the Batch Template Chooser, alongside the default Apple batch templates. Custom batch templates can save you time, particularly with workflows that you repeat often.

To create a custom batch template

1 In the Batch window, do one of the following to open a batch with the characteristics

(jobs, settings, destinations, job actions, and so on) that you want in the batch template:

• Create a new batch and make the needed adjustments.

For more information, seeThe Basic Transcoding Workflow, Assigning Settings, Assigning

Destinations, and Adding Actions.

• Open a saved batch with the characteristics that you want in the batch template.

For more information, see Saving and Opening a Batch File.

2 Choose File > Save as Template.

3 In the dialog that appears, enter a name and description, then click OK.

The custom batch template is saved.

Optionally, choose File > New Batch from Template to open the Batch Template Chooser and confirm or use your new custom batch template.

About the Batch Window Toolbar

The Batch window has a customizable toolbar along its top. You can choose whether to show or hide the toolbar by clicking the button in the window’s upper-right corner.

You can choose to have a variety of items in the toolbar, such as items to open, save, or close a batch. See Customizing the Toolbar for details on the items you can add and how to add them.

80 Chapter 6 Importing Source Media Files

Adding Source Media Files to a Batch to Create Jobs

Untitled batch tab

Empty batch area with a placeholder job

You need to import the source media files into the batch in the Batch window before you can add any transcoding settings to them. Once they are imported into the batch, the source media files create a job, which is the first step to getting the files transcoded. There are special methods to use when importing surround sound source media files.

Adding Standard Source Media Files to Batches

Following are the details for adding standard (non–surround sound or image sequence) source media files to a batch.

To add source media files to a batch

1 Open Compressor.

The Batch window opens with an empty batch tab named Untitled.

Note: If the Batch Template Chooser opens automatically, click Cancel to close the Batch Template Chooser. To prevent the Batch Template Chooser from opening when you open Compressor, select the “Don’t show this dialog again” checkbox, or, in Compressor preferences, select For New Batches: Use Blank Template.

2 Do one of the following:

• Choose Job > New Job With File (or press Command-I), navigate to the relevant media file folder, select one or more source media files, and then click Open.

• Click the Add File button (in the Batch window toolbar, if visible), navigate to the relevant media file folder, select one or more source media files, and then click Open.

• Control-click a job and choose Source > File from the shortcut menu.

• Control-click an empty area of the batch and choose New Job With File from the shortcut menu. You can then navigate to the relevant media file folder, select one or more source media files, and then click Open.

81Chapter 6 Importing Source Media Files

• Open your source media file folder and drag one or more source media files into the batch.

Note: You can combine the above steps by selecting all the source media files you want to transcode before opening Compressor and then dragging them to the Compressor application icon. This opens Compressor and adds the media files to the default untitled batch at the same time.

3 Save the batch by choosing File > Save As (or pressing Command-Shift-S).

4 Enter a name for the batch and choose the location where you want to save it in the

dialog that appears.

5 Click Save when done.

The tab in the Batch window changes to match the name of the file.

Note: If your Finder preferences are set to show the extensions, the extension .compressor appears in the tab along with the name.

You are not actually required to name and save your batches, and for quick jobs you might decide not to. However, naming and saving a batch makes it easy to go back and resubmit it later if you find that the output files were not as expected or if your needs change. It also makes it easier to figure out what is in the History window and in Share Monitor if you submit multiple batches in a short period of time.

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The batch now contains your selected media files, each in its own job. Source media files

Drag the slider to scroll through video files.

Click anywhere in the job to see this file’s attributes in the Inspector window.

Each source media file creates a job.

The targets for this job will appear in this area.

with video content also include a thumbnail image and a scroller that you can use to scroll through the video.

You can change the source media file assigned to a job.

To change the source media file assigned to a job

1 Select the job for which you want to change the source media file.

2 Do one of the following:

• Choose Job > Source > File, navigate to the relevant media file folder, select one or more source media files, and then click Open.

• Control-click the job and choose Source fromthe shortcut menu. You can then navigate to the relevant media file folder, select one or more source media files, and then click Open.

• Drag a new source media file to the job.

Any targets you had already configured remain and are now applied to the new source media file. You can also remove a source media file from a job if needed.

To remove a source media file from a job

Control-click the job and choose Clear Source from the shortcut menu.

To remove a job from a batch

Do one of the following:

Select the job and press Delete.

Control-click in an empty part of the batch and choose Remove All Jobs from the shortcut

menu.

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These jobs are now ready to have a target added to them.

Adding Surround Sound Source Media Files to Batches

There are two methods you can use to add audio files to a batch to create a surround sound job: an automatic method that relies on file naming to map the audio files to the proper channels and a manual method that allows you to manually assign the audio files to the channels.

Each method results in a job to which you can add a setting that supports surround sound audio outputs, such as Dolby Digital Professional, AIFF, and several audio codecs in the QuickTime Movie output format.

Important: Some of the output formats have multiple configurations for the surround

sound audio channels. Be sure you know which configuration your intended playback device requires. For example, the AIFF output format provides four different configurations for 5.1 (six-channel) audio outputs, with the difference being the order of the channels.

Assigning Files to Surround Sound Channels (Automatic Method)

Compressor offers some streamlined channel assignment techniques that can save you time.

To assign files to surround channels with channel identifier codes

1 Append the channel identifier code of the target surround channel to the filename of

each source audio file. (See the list below for the appropriate channel identifier codes.)

• -L: Left front channel

• -R: Right front channel

• -C: Center front channel

• -Ls: Left surround channel

• -Rs: Right surround channel

• -S: Center surround channel

• -LFE: Low frequency channel (Subwoofer, LFE)

For example, to assign an AIFF file to the left surround channel, rename the file as filename-Ls.aiff (where filename is the name of your file). (The channel identifier codes must include the hyphen, as shown.)

Note: Mac OS X may add a file extension like .aiff. This will not interfere with this channel assignment method.

This procedure works only when you drag and drop files into the Batch window. If you drag the files onto the Compressor application icon, they will appear as separate source files, each in its own job.

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Note: If you are creating Dolby Digital Professional (AC-3) surround sound streams, you will not use all the channels listed in the table at once. See Audio Tab Settings for a diagram of the Dolby audio coding modes.

2 Drag the renamed source audio files to the Batch window.

If the following conditions are met, Compressor automatically collapses the entire group of files into what appears as a single surround source media file in the Batch window:

• The files in the group must be named correctly. (See the list in the previous step.)

• The total number of files in the group must be fewer than seven.

Assigning Files to Surround Sound Channels (Manual Method)

Follow these steps to use the manual method for assigning individual audio files to surround sound channels. Additionally, you can add a video file to the surround sound job.

To manually assign source audio files to channels of a surround sound stream

1 Do one of the following to import the source audio files:

• Choose Job > New Job With Surround Sound Group (or press Command-Control-I).

• Click the Add Surround Sound button in the Batch window.

• Control-click in the batch and choose New Job With Surround Sound Group from the shortcut menu.

The channel assignment interface opens.

2 Do one of the following to assign a source audio file to a particular channel:

• Drag the source audio file from the Finder to the icon for a specific channel (for example, “L”).

• Click the icon for a specific channel (for example, “L”) and use the Open dialog to locate the source audio file intended for that channel.

The file is now assigned to the “L” (Left Front) channel.

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3 Repeat step 2 for each of the source audio files that you intend to include in the surround

Click a channel’s icon to change the file assigned to that channel.

stream.

4 Optionally, click the Add Video button to select a video file to include with the surround

sound job.

5 When you have finished adding source audio and video files to the channel assignment

interface, click OK.

The group of surround files appears as a single surround source media file job in the Batch window.

About Surround Sound Jobs

Once you have created a surround sound job, the Batch window shows the surround sound icon in the source media file thumbnail (unless a video file was added to the job) and the Inspector window shows the channels and their assigned files.

You can change any of the file assignments in the Inspector window.

To change a surround sound file assignment

1 Click the speaker icon of the channel you want to change.

A file selection dialog opens.

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2 Locate the file to assign to that channel and click Open.

Untitled batch tab

Empty batch area with a placeholder job

3 Optionally, you can either click Add Video to add a video file to the job, or delete the

video file already assigned and then click Add Video to choose a different video file.

See Creating Dolby Digital Professional Output Files for information on creating Dolby Digital Professional output files.

Adding Image Sequences to Batches

You can import a sequence of still images into Compressor as a single image sequence job and then apply an output frame rate and an audio file to the job. From that point, you treat the job as you do any other Compressor source media file, adding settings, destinations, filters, and post-transcoding actions to create an output media file with the desired video and audio formats and characteristics.

To add a still image sequence job to a batch

1 Open Compressor.

The Batch window opens with an empty batch tab named Untitled.

2 Do one the following:

• Click the Add Image Sequence button and navigate to the folder containing the image sequence files you want to import.

• Choose Job > New Job With Image Sequence (or press Command-Option-I) and navigate to the folder containing the image sequence files you want to import.

3 Select the folder containing the image sequence files you want to import.

4 Click Open.

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The new job appears in the Batch window.

5 Select the job in the Batch window.

The Inspector window displays the A/V Attributes tab containing information and controls for the new image sequence job.

6 Do any of the following:

• Confirm the selected image sequence files. (Click the Info (i) button for the complete list of files.)

• Confirm the video format information in the Video section.

• Use the Native Field Dominance pop-up menu to adjust the field dominance for the source files. (The choices are Progressive, Top First, and Bottom First.)

• Use the Frame Rate pop-up menu to adjust the frame rate for the source files by choosing from a list of standard frame rates.

• Click Choose Audio to locate, select, and add an audio file to the image sequence job.

Note: Compressor supports the following audio file types for image sequences: AIFF, MP3, MPEG-4 audio-only (.m4a), and QuickTime movie (.mov).

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Note: You can also use Compressor to output an image sequence. For more information, see Creating Image Sequence Output Files.

Using the Inspector with Source Media Files

When you select a batch’s job, the Inspector window shows you information about the job’s source media file.

The Inspector window contains three tabs: A/V Attributes, Additional Information, and Job Action.

A/V Attributes Tab

The A/V Attributes tab contains general information about the source media file and is divided into three sections.

• File information: This section shows the filename, location, and type of file.

• Video information: This section, when applicable, shows all video-related information about the file. This includes its frame size, frame rate, and timecode information.

• Audio information: This section, when applicable, shows all audio-related information about the file. This includes its sample size and sample rate.

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Additional Information Tab

The Additional Information tab allows you to see and modify a variety of metadata items that might have been added in other applications such as Final Cut Pro or QuickTime. It also includes the ability to associate a closed caption file with the file.

To associate a closed caption file with a job’s source media file

1 Click the job to show the source media file’s attributes in the Inspector window.

2 Click the Additional Information tab.

3 Click Choose, locate the closed caption file (must be a Scenarist closed caption format

file, usually with an .scc file extension), and click Open.

Note: Closed caption data is supported by the H.264 for Apple Devices, MPEG-2, and QuickTime Movie output formats.

Depending on the output format of the job’s target, Compressor applies the closed caption file to the output media files.

• For QuickTime outputs: Compressor adds the closed caption file as a closed caption track to the QuickTime output file. You can view the closed captions using QuickTime Player (version 7.2 or later).

• For MPEG-2elementary stream outputs: Compressor embeds the closed caption data in an elementary MPEG-2 video stream so that it can be used for DVD authoring.

• For MPEG-2 program and transport stream outputs: Compressor embeds the closed caption data in program and transport MPEG-2 streams using the EIA-708 ATSC protocol.

Important: The timecode values in the closed caption file must directly relate to the

timecode of the source media file. You can open a closed caption file in TextEdit to see the timecode values it contains (the actual text is encoded and cannot be read this way).

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To add an annotation

1 Click the job to show the source media file’s attributes in the Inspector window.

2 Click the Additional Information tab.

3 Use the Add Annotation pop-up menu to choose the type of annotation.

4 Double-click the corresponding Value field and enter the annotation text.

5 Click Save.

Note: This Add Annotation feature is supported by the H.264 for Apple Devices, MP3, and QuickTime Movie output formats.

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Job Action Tab

The Job Action tab allows you to apply and adjust post-transcoding actions to entire jobs.

For complete details on using the Job Action tab, see Adding Job Actions.

Tips on Importing Source Media Files

Here are some additional tips on importing source media files.

Highly Compressed Source Files

It is strongly recommended that you do not use highly compressed source files, such as MPEG files, as your source files, because they can cause undesirable artifacts in the encoded video.

QuickTime Reference Movies

If you submit a reference movie for distributed processing, the Apple Qmaster distributed processing system will automatically copy the appropriate media files to the processing cluster. For the best performance, you can avoid this file transfer step by making sure that the media files specified in the reference movie are available to each node of the Apple Qmaster cluster. For more information, see How the Apple Qmaster System

Distributes Batches and Using Distributed Processing from Final Cut Pro and Motion.

Importing MPEG-2 Files

When you import an MPEG-2 file, Compressor must parse the file before you can play it in thePreview window. Parsing the file involvesdetermining its frame structure and other necessary information about the file. Since the frame structure can change throughout the file, Compressor must scan through the entire file, which can take several minutes for longer files.

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This does not happen with MPEG-2 elementary files encoded using Compressor that had the “Add DVD Studio Pro metadata” checkbox selected. See Extras Tab for more information.

About Dolby Digital Professional Source Media Files

You can use Dolby Digital Professional AC-3 audio files as source media files for your jobs. There are two common reasons to want to do this.

• To test a file you just encoded: Since you cannot preview the Dolby Digital Professional output settings, importing an encoded file into a job allows you to play it and verify the settings.

• Toconvert aDolby Digitalaudio file to another format: Since not all media players include Dolby Digital decoders, you may find that you need to transcode the file into another format.

Compressor includes a Dolby Digital decoder that it uses whenever you play or transcode Dolby Digital audio files. This makes it possible to verify the Dolby Digital Professional output settings of a previously encoded file on your system without requiring you to have an external Dolby Digital decoder. To hear surround sound you must have an external surround sound device connected to your computer’s USB or FireWire output. The audio is mixed down to two channels if you play the audio using your system’s stereo speakers.

Important: Since the audio output is already decoded and not in the Dolby Digital format,

the optical output cannot be used when playing Dolby Digital files from Compressor.

Tip: Add an .ac3 extension to the filename if Compressor does not allow you to add it to a job.

Automatic Values and Nonstandard QuickTime Files

Compressor uses a variety of tactics to determine the proper values for any settings that are set to Automatic. In most cases, QuickTime files contain metadata that specify the various attributes of the file, such as frame rate and frame size. In some cases, this metadata is not present, forcing Compressor to try to determine this information, or it is incorrect, causing Compressor to generate incorrect values for the Automatic settings.

Additionally, some QuickTime files use nonstandard settings that require Compressor to choose an automatic value that may not be suitable.

For these reasons, it is a good idea to verify the values in the Inspectors for those settings that are set to automatic. See About the Automatic Settings for more information.

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Creating, Previewing, and Modifying Settings

A setting is a combination of transcode attributes, such as output format, filter, and geometry settings, that you apply to the source media file as a part of the transcoding process.

You need to assign at least one setting to a source media file before you can transcode it. Once you have a source media file in the current batch in the Batch window, you can either select a preexisting setting or create a customized one using the Settings tab.

Once you have all the settings that you think you need, you won’t have to open the Settings tab again because you can select the settings directly from the Batch window.

Note: A setting is just one kind of Compressor preset. You can also create, modify, save, or remove Destination presets. For more information on destinations, see Creating and

Changing Destinations.

This chapter covers the following:

• About the Settings Tab (p. 96)

• Using the Inspector with Settings (p. 99)

• Duplicating Settings (p. 100)

• Creating a Setting from Scratch (p. 102)

• Searching for a Setting (p. 103)

• Previewing a Setting (p. 103)

• Deleting Settings (p. 105)

• Creating Groups of Settings (p. 106)

• Distributing and Sharing Settings (p. 107)

• Example: Creating Custom Groups and Settings for DVD (p. 108)

About the Settings Tab

Duplicate Selected Setting button

Settings list

“Create a New Setting Group” button

An example setting

Click the disclosure triangles to show or hide a setting group’s contents.

“Save Selection as Droplet” button

Delete Selected Settings button

“Create a New Setting” button

The Settings tab allows you to manage your settings. In conjunction with the Inspector window, the Settings tab also provides details of all the settings and provides easy access to common transcoding controls.

You usethe Settings tab (together with the Inspector window) to create, modify, or delete settings, as well as create group folders for multiple settings. You can also create Droplets from the Settings tab.

The Settings tab contains a list of the existing settings and the necessary buttons to add, remove, or duplicate a setting and create groups and Droplets.

Settings Tab Buttons

The following buttons are located along the top of the Settings tab.

• Create a New Setting Group: Click to create a folder where you can group existing settings. Use this button as a way to organize your settings into some sort of logical order, keeping the Settings tab easy to navigate. Once settings have been created, you can assign a whole group of settings to a source media file (by dragging it onto the source file in the Batch window) or you can create a Droplet containing multiple settings. See Creating Groups of Settings for more information.

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• Save Selection as Droplet: Click to create a Droplet from an existing setting or group of

The Apple setting group with subgroups

New “Untitled” setting

settings. Droplets allow you to transcode a media file by simply dragging one or more source media files over the Droplet icon. Once you have selected your setting or group and clicked the “Save Selection as Droplet” button, the Save dialog asks you to name your Droplet, choose a location for it, and choose a destination folder for the relevant output media files. Once you complete this dialog, your Droplet is ready and you can drag as many files as you want to its icon. See Using Droplets for more information about Droplets.

• Duplicate Selected Setting: Click to duplicate a selected setting in the Settings tab. The Duplicate button copies the exact settings of the setting currently selected in the Settings tab. Using the Duplicate button allows you to create a new setting from a preexisting one; you can then adjust that setting according to your needs, rather than creating a new setting from scratch.

• Search field: Enter text to search the settings for specific attributes. For example, you can type “iPod” to see a list of settings specifically designed for an iPod.

• Create a New Setting (+): Click to add a newsetting to the Settings tab. A dialog appears for you to choose an output file format (H.264 for Apple Devices, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, and so on) when you click this button.

• Delete Selected Settings (-): Click to remove a setting from the Settings tab. You are not asked for a confirmation, so be sure you want to remove the setting before clicking this button.

Note: You cannot delete the Apple settings.

Settings List

When you first open the Settings tab it contains a set of preexisting (Apple) settings supplied with Compressor. The Settings tab displays name and description details of all existing settings and groups stored on your computer.

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New settings appear in the Custom group folder with the default name “Untitled [File

Click a setting to see it in the Inspector window.

Enter the selected setting’s name and description in the Inspector window.

Format]” with “[File Format]” being the file format you chose from the (+) pop-up menu. It’s a good idea to change the setting name to something meaningful, such as details of the settings or distribution method associated with the setting. Click the setting in the Settings tab to open it in the Inspector window.

Use the Name field in the Inspector window to enter a name. Use the Description field to enter more information about each setting. This information only appears within the Settings tab and can help you keep track of your files when you have many settings.

You can also organize your settings by putting them in group folders. Once you have created and named agroup folder, you can drag any existing custom setting into it. When you drag a setting to a group, you remove it from its current location. You can also drag individual settings from a group to a source media file. See Creating Groups of Settings for more information.

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Selecting a Target

Select a target in the Batch window to see its settings in the Inspector window.

The setting’s name shows as “Selected Target.”

Click the Save As button to save this as a new setting with any changes you make.

Whenever you select a batch’s target, its setting immediately appears in the Inspector window with Selected Target in the Name field. This is a temporary copy of the setting and not the setting itself, so you can make temporary modifications to the setting for just that one batch submission.

When you modify the target’s setting, the Save As button at the bottom of the Inspector window becomes active. Click Save As to save the modified setting with a new name. The saved copy appears in the Settings tab as Setting Name-Copy, and immediately becomes the selected setting in the Settings tab.

Using the Inspector with Settings

The Inspector window contains the panes that let you create and modify all the settings related to your output media file, such as filters, geometry, and output format. The Inspector window is also where you name your settings, as well as add descriptions to make it easier to remember later what you customized.

• Summary pane: Provides a detailed summary of a selected setting. See Summary Pane for more information about this pane.

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• Encoder pane: Allows you to select an output file format and other related video and audio settings. See the following specific sections for more information about the different encoder panes.

• About the AIFF Encoder Pane

• Creating Common Audio Format Files

• About the DV Stream Encoder Pane

• About the Dolby Digital Professional Encoder Pane

• About the H.264 for Apple Devices Encoder Pane

• Creating H.264 for Blu-ray Disc

• About the Image Sequence Encoder Pane

• Creating MP3 Output Files

• About the MPEG-1 Encoder Pane

• About the MPEG-2 Encoder Pane

• About the MPEG-4 Part 2 Encoder Pane

• About the QuickTime Export Components Encoder Pane

• About the QuickTime Movie Encoder Pane

• Frame Controls pane: Allows you to customize changes to the frame size, frame rate, or field dominance. (See Working with Frame Controls for more information.)

• Filters pane: Allows you to add filters to your setting to enhance the quality of the output files. (See About the Filters Pane for more information.)

• Geometry pane: Allows you to crop and set the frame size for your output media file. (See Adding Geometry Settings for more information.)

• Actions pane: Allows you to send email notifications and assign a default destination to the setting. (See Adding Actions for more information.)

Duplicating Settings

If there is a setting that contains some attributes that you want to use in another setting, you can duplicate the existing setting and make the necessary modifications to the duplicated one, rather than creating a new setting from scratch. Duplicating a stock Apple setting and then adjusting the duplicate to suit your needs is the most convenient way to create custom settings.

To duplicate a setting

1 Select the setting that you want to duplicate in the Settings tab.

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Apple Compressor - 4 Operating Instructions

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Contents

Welcome to Compressor

About Compressor

About the Compressor Documentation

Additional Resources

Getting Started Quickly

Terms Used by Compressor

Quick and Easy Compressor Workflow: Batch Template Method

• 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

Quick and Easy Compressor Workflow: Manual Method

• Stage 1: Adding Source Media Files

Stage 2: Assigning Settings and Destinations

Stage 3: Submitting the Batch

Optional Tasks You Can Perform Before Submitting a Batch

Ways to Use Compressor

Typical Compressor Scenarios

Compressor Features

The Basic Transcoding Workflow

Compressor Concepts and Terms

Preparing Compressor for Transcoding with Custom Settings

Choosing an Output Format

Creating a Compressor Batch

Viewing Transcoding Status

Optional Compressor Shortcuts

Using Preexisting Settings

Using Default Settings and Destinations

Working with Droplets

The Compressor Interface

Compressor Windows and the Transcoding Workflow

Creating and Managing Compressor Layouts

Standard Layout

Batch Layout

Choosing, Saving, and Managing Layouts

About the Layout Files

Working with the Compressor Windows

Why Are Some Windows Covered Up?

Resizing the Compressor Windows

About the Tabs

Batch Window

Customizing the Toolbar

About the Toolbar Items

Settings Tab

Destinations Tab

Inspector Window

About the Automatic Settings

Media Source Files and the Inspector Window

A/V Attributes Tab

Additional Information Tab

Job Action Tab

About the Settings Panes

Summary Pane

Encoder Pane

Frame Controls Pane

Filters Pane

Geometry Pane

Actions Pane

History Window

Preview Window

Apple Qmaster Sharing Window

Share Monitor

Droplet Windows

About Changing Values and Timecode Entries

Using Value Sliders

Using Timecode Value Sliders

Keyboard Shortcuts

Setting Compressor Preferences

About Compressor Preferences

Using Compressor Preferences

Importing Source Media Files

About the Batch Window

General Batch Window Information

About the Batch Template Chooser