best format for web streaming
by Mia Locks
on
Oct 28, 2009 at 8:22:10 am
I'm trying to export an HDV sequence from FCP to a format that will be small enough for web streaming. My Compressor isn't working (I tried virtually every suggestion on the relevant threads!) and I'm wondering if it's possible to get achieve through QT Conversion? I was hoping to get it down to 100MB but I don't even know if that's possible. The first QT file I exported (just QT, not Conversion, with "current settings") is 544MB.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
[Not sure if it matters but I'm working from a Canon HV40 in 24F]
Re: best format for web streaming by Jeff Pulera on Oct 29, 2009 at 8:29:08 pm
Hi Mia,
It would be helpful to know what frame size you wish to encode to and the length of the program in determining the best encode settings.
For instance, for 16:9 video, you might want 640x360, or for higher quality, 1280x720 (full 720p HD). Currently, H.264 is the popular format with very good efficiency (also known as ".mp4").
Re: best format for web streaming by Mia Locks on Oct 30, 2009 at 4:53:22 pm
Hi Jeff,
It's 45min and 16:9
I've been using H.264 in the past but mostly experimenting with different settings within that option. What should I set the data rate to restrict to (for streaming)? Will this help me reduce the file size?
Also what's the difference between single and multi-pass encoding?
Re: best format for web streaming by Christopher Kinsman on Nov 2, 2009 at 6:14:38 am
Hi Mia, I post a lot of video on Vimeo. Here's their compression recommendations. http://www.vimeo.com/help/compression As far as single/multi pass encoding - it's similar to compressor's dvd settings 90 min best or 90 minute fast. The computer scans each frame image to detect movement, color change. If you select single, it does the best it can on first pass. If you select multi, it has a chance to detect and reproduce your movement more accurately - but this does take longer. There are hardware encoders that allow 10 or more passes to really produce an accurate image. But remember, this doesn't necessarily effect file size.
Compression codec, Frame Size, Kbps and Frame rate effect your file size the most. H264 is extremely common for web movies (and is available to all QT users) but there are some Flash video compressors that you can buy that produce some very clean, small .flv files.
Hope this helps! Best of Luck!
Kind Regards,
Chris
