Compressor 4
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Compressor 4 User Manual
Compressor 4 Help
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Compressor 4 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
Creating a Custom Batch Template
About the Batch Window Toolbar
Adding Source Media Files to a Batch to Create Jobs
Adding Standard Source Media Files to Batches
Adding Surround Sound Source Media Files to Batches
Assigning Files to Surround Sound Channels (Automatic Method)
Assigning Files to Surround Sound Channels (Manual Method)
About Surround Sound Jobs
Adding Image Sequences to Batches
Using the Inspector with Source Media Files
A/V Attributes Tab
Additional Information Tab
Job Action Tab
Tips on Importing Source Media Files
Highly Compressed Source Files
QuickTime Reference Movies
Importing MPEG-2 Files
About Dolby Digital Professional Source Media Files
Automatic Values and Nonstandard QuickTime Files
Creating, Previewing, and Modifying Settings
About the Settings Tab
Settings Tab Buttons
Settings List
Selecting a Target
Using the Inspector with Settings
Duplicating Settings
Creating a Setting from Scratch
Searching for a Setting
Previewing a Setting
Deleting Settings
Creating Groups of Settings
Distributing and Sharing Settings
Example: Creating Custom Groups and Settings for DVD
Finalizing Jobs and Submitting Batches
Assigning Settings
Assigning Settings to Source Media Files
Replacing an Assigned Setting with a Different Setting
Modifying an Assigned Setting
Assigning Destinations
Assigning Destinations to Source Media Files
Setting the Output Filename
General Job and Target Information
About Targets
About Adding and Copying Jobs
About Chaining Jobs
General Batch Information
Submitting a Batch
Test Transcode Tip
About the History Window
Resubmitting a Batch
Saving and Opening a Batch File
Transcoding Different Clips from One Source Media File
Using Final Cut Pro and Motion with Compressor
Submitting a Project for Transcoding
Resubmitting a Project
Optimizing Distributed Processing for Final Cut Pro and Motion
Using Distributed Processing with Compressor
Job Segmenting and Two-Pass or Multi-Pass Encoding
About This Computer Plus and Unmanaged Services
Creating AIFF Files
Creating AIFF Output Files
About the AIFF Encoder Pane
About the Sound Settings Dialog
QuickTime Audio Sample Sizes and Rates
Choosing an Audio Codec for Distribution
Configuring AIFF Settings
Creating Common Audio Format Files
Creating Common Audio Format Files
About the Common Audio Formats Pane
Configuring Common Audio Formats Settings
Creating DV Stream Output Files
About the DV Stream Encoder Pane
DV Transcoding Workflow
Creating Dolby Digital Professional Output Files
About the Dolby Digital Professional Encoder Pane
Basic Settings
Audio Tab Settings
Bitstream Tab Settings
Preprocessing Tab Settings
General Information About Creating Dolby Digital Professional Files
About the Source Media Files
About Previewing the Encoder Settings
Converting Stereo Audio Files to Dolby Digital Professional Format
Assigning Files to Surround Sound Channels (Manual Method)
Assigning Files to Surround Sound Channels (Automatic Methods)
Assigning Files to Surround Sound Channels with Droplets
Options for Spatial Mixing
Using the Center Channel
Using Surround Channels
Limitations of the LFE Channel
Accommodating Stereo Playback
Creating H.264 for Apple Devices Output Files
About the H.264 for Apple Devices Encoder Pane
Chapter and Podcast Markers for Apple Devices
Aspect Ratios for Apple Devices
H.264 Workflows for Apple Devices
Configuring Settings for H.264 for Apple Devices Output Files
Creating H.264 for Blu-ray Disc
About the H.264 for Blu-ray Disc Encoder Pane
H.264 Workflows for Optical Disc
Creating Image Sequence Files
Creating Image Sequence Output Files
About the Image Sequence Encoder Pane
Configuring Image Sequence Settings
Creating MP3 Output Files
Common Uses for MP3
Music
Podcasts
About the MP3 Encoder Pane
MP3 Transcoding Workflow
Creating MPEG-1 Output Files
Common Uses for MPEG-1
DVD, VCD, and CD-ROM
On the Web
Audio-Only
MPEG-1 Specifications
MPEG-1 Frame Sizes and Frame Rates
MPEG-1 File Format Specifications
About the MPEG-1 Encoder Pane
About the MPEG-1 Video Tab
About the MPEG-1 Audio Tab
About System and Elementary Streams
System Streams
Elementary Streams
MPEG-1 Transcoding Workflow
Encoding for the Web
Encoding for DVD
Configuring the MPEG-1 File Format for Web Use
Stage 1: Choosing Video Settings
Stage 2: Choosing Audio Settings
Configuring the MPEG-1 File Format for DVD Use
Creating the MPEG-1 Video for DVD Setting
Stage 1: Creating the MPEG-1 Video for DVD Setting
Stage 2: Configuring the Video Settings
Stage 3: Making an Elementary Video Stream
Creating the MPEG-1 Audio for DVD Setting
Stage 1: Creating the MPEG-1 Audio for DVD Setting
Stage 2: Making an Elementary Audio Stream
Stage 3: Configuring the Audio Settings
Optional—Creating an MPEG-1 for DVD Group and Destination
Creating MPEG-2 Output Files
About Standard Definition MPEG-2
About High Definition Sources and MPEG-2
HD on Blu-ray
HD to SD Downconversion
About Elementary, Transport, and Program Streams
About the MPEG-2 Encoder Pane
MPEG-2 Encoder Pane Basic Settings
Stream Usage
Video Format Tab
Quality Tab
GOP Tab
Extras Tab
MPEG-2 Reference Information
About Choosing the Bit Rates
MPEG-2 Video Frame Sizes and Formats
Understanding GOPs and Frame Types
Things to Consider When Choosing a GOP Setting
GOP Structure
GOP Size
Open and Closed GOPs
About 24p (23.98p)
MPEG-2 Transcoding Workflow
Stage 1: Choosing Video Format Settings
Stage 2: Choosing Quality Settings
Stage 3: Choosing GOP Settings
Stage 4: Choosing Extras Settings
Example MPEG-2 Settings
Creating MPEG-4 Output Files
About MPEG-4 Part 2
About the MPEG-4 Part 2 Encoder Pane
MPEG-4 Encoder Pane General Settings
Video Pane
Audio Pane
Streaming Pane
Using Default MPEG-4 Part 2 Settings
Default Video Pane Settings
Default Audio Pane Settings
Default Streaming Pane Settings
Customizing MPEG-4 Part 2 Settings
Stage 1: Customizing MPEG-4 Video Settings
Stage 2: Customizing MPEG-4 Audio Settings
Stage 3: Editing MPEG-4 Streaming Settings
Audio Podcasting Workflow
Stage 1: Configuring the MPEG-4 Output for Audio-Only Output
Stage 2: Including Podcasting Information
Stage 3: Applying the Setting to a Source Media File’s Target
Stage 4: Entering Annotations for the Output Media File
Stage 5: Creating and Configuring Markers for the Output Media File
Stage 6: Submitting the Job and Verifying the Output Media File
Adding Additional Settings and Presets
Creating QuickTime Export Component Files
Creating QuickTime Export Component Output Files
Installing QuickTime Export Component Plug-ins
About the iPod Plug-in
About the QuickTime Export Components Encoder Pane
Configuring Export Components Settings
Creating QuickTime Movie Output Files
Creating QuickTime Output Files
About the QuickTime Movie Encoder Pane
QuickTime Movie Encoder Pane Basic Settings
QuickTime Video and Audio Settings
Video Codec Settings
Audio Codec Settings
Chapter and Podcast Markers for QuickTime Output
About the Compression Settings Dialog
About the Sound Settings Dialog
QuickTime Audio Sample Sizes and Rates
Choosing an Audio Codec
QuickTime Transcoding Workflow
Stage 1: Opening the QuickTime Encoder Pane
Stage 2: Adding a QuickTime Video Codec
Stage 3: Adding a QuickTime Audio Codec
Understanding Codecs
QuickTime Video Codecs
QuickTime Audio Codecs
Sound Sample Rates
Sound Sample Size
Adding Filters to a Setting
Working with Filters
Previewing Filters
Color Spaces
About the Filters Pane
Video Filters Tab
Audio Filters Tab
Color Tab
Adding Filters to a Setting
Working with Frame Controls
About the Frame Controls Pane
Adding Frame Controls to a Setting
About Deinterlacing
About Reverse Telecine
About Reverse Telecine
About the Cadence
Other Reverse Telecine Issues
All Other Frame Controls Settings Are Disabled
About Reverse Telecine and Segmented Encoding
About Pausing the Transcode Process
Creating PAL Video During the Reverse Telecine Process
Using the Retiming Controls
Converting Video to a New Speed
Entering a Percentage
Entering a Duration
Forcing Frames to Play at the Encoder Pane’s Frame Rate Setting
Adding Geometry Settings
Working with Cropping, Scaling, and Padding
Cropping
Scaling
Padding
About the Geometry Pane
Making Geometry Adjustments to a Setting
Adding Actions
Working with Post-Transcoding Actions
Adding Setting Actions
About the Actions Pane
How to Add Setting Actions
Adding Job Actions
About the Job Actions Tab
About Job Actions
Using the Preview Window
About the Preview Window
Batch Item Selection Control Area
In and Out Controls
Preview Screen Area
Timeline Controls
Transport Controls
Marker Pop-Up Menu
Previewing a Clip
Transcoding a Portion of the Clip with the Preview Window
Working with Markers and Poster Frames
Output File Formats That Support Markers
Types of Markers
Manually Adding and Removing Markers
Adding Compression or Podcast Markers to a Clip
Creating Plain Text Chapter Marker Lists
Setting the Poster Frame
About the Preview Window Keyboard Shortcuts
Creating and Changing Destinations
About the Destinations Tab
Using the Inspector with Destinations
Creating a Destination
Warning Triangles
Deleting and Duplicating a Destination
Using Droplets
Creating Droplets
Creating a Droplet from the Settings Tab
Creating a Droplet from the File Menu
About the Droplet Window
Checking Droplet Settings
Using a Droplet to Transcode Source Media Files
Using Droplets to Create Jobs and Settings in Compressor
Droplet Tips
Droplets and Compressor Processing Services
Droplets and Large Numbers of Source Media Files
Apple Qmaster and Distributed Processing
Distributed Processing Basics
Basic Components of the Apple Qmaster Distributed Processing System
Clients
Clusters
Service Nodes
The Minimum You Need to Know
Examples of a Distributed Processing Network
How the Apple Qmaster System Distributes Batches
Other Possible Components of a Distributed Processing Network
Getting Started Quickly Using This Computer Plus
Stage 1: Creating Service Nodes
Stage 2: Submitting Compressor Batches for Processing
Getting Started Quickly Using QuickClusters
Stage 1: Installing the Software
Stage 2: Configuring a QuickCluster
Stage 3: Adding Service Nodes to a Cluster
Stage 4: Creating and Submitting a Batch
The Interfaces in the Apple Qmaster Distributed Processing System
Apple Qadministrator
Compressor and Apple Qmaster as Client Interfaces
Using Compressor
Using Apple Qmaster
Share Monitor
Apple Qmaster Sharing Window of Compressor
About Basic Settings in the Apple Qmaster Sharing Window
About Advanced Settings in the Apple Qmaster Sharing Window
General Information About Clusters
Options in the Apple Qmaster Sharing Window of Compressor
Setting the Name
Unmanaged Services
Setting the Password
Setting Cluster Storage
Managed vs. Unmanaged Services
Managed Services
Unmanaged Services
Enabling Unmanaged Services on QuickClusters
Enabling Unmanaged Services on Managed Clusters
Managing Processing Services
Turning Cluster Controller Services On or Off
Using Virtual Clusters to Make the Most of Multicore Computers
Setting a Service Password for Including a Computer in a Cluster
Scheduling Service Availability
Scheduling Service Availability in the Work Schedule Dialog
Setting Availability from Sunday Night to Monday Morning
Using Cluster Storage
Adjusting Cluster Storage Settings
Cluster Storage Capacity
Cleaning Up Cluster Storage
QuickTime Reference Movies
Defining Ports for Service Advertisements
Recovery and Failure Notification Features
Recovery Features
Failure Notification
Notification and Log Labels
Creating Clusters with Apple Qadministrator
Stage 1: Creating a New Cluster
Stage 2: Assigning Service Nodes
Setting Up for Part-Time Distributed Processing with Shake
Stage 1: Turning Off the Shake UNC Setting
Stage 2: Turning On Personal File Sharing
Stage 3: Mounting the Media Storage Volumes
Stage 4: Submitting Processing Jobs in the Sample Part-Time Distributed Processing Setup
Stage 5: Specifying Media File and Script Locations
Appendix A: Keyboard Shortcuts
General Compressor Keyboard Shortcuts
Preview Window Keyboard Shortcuts
Appendix B: Solving Problems
Resources for Solving Problems
Solutions to Common Problems
QuickTime Reference Movies
Cluster Settings for Extended Transcoding Sessions
Cleaning Up Cluster Storage
Using Apple Qmaster with an NFS Server
Apple Qmaster Distributed Processing and Xsan
Restarting Apple Qmaster and Xsan
Xsan Compatibility
Compressor Command-Line Usage Requires Login
Contacting AppleCare Support
Appendix C: Using the Command Line
Shell Commands for Submitting Compressor Jobs
Synopsis
Command Options
Example of Compressor Commands
Compressor 4
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