Scaling
Scaling provides a way to alter the output video file’s frame size without removing any
of the source image. Most often, scaling involves shrinking your output media image size
to save storage space or reduce the bit rate.
Compressor offers four basic methods for scaling the image size of an output media file.
• Choose a percentage of the source size: Three settings scale the source image based on
a percentage (100% of source, 50% of source, and 25% of source). In addition to the
source image frame size, crop values will affect the actual frame size of the output
video.
• Choose a maximum frame size: Six settings scale the source image to maintain the
original aspect ratio and to be as large as possible without going over the selected
frame size.
• Choose a specific frame size: There are several standard frame size settings you can
choose from, such as 720x486, 720x576, and so on. When you choose any of these, the
output video file’s frame size will match this setting.
• Enter a custom value: You can enter a custom frame size. Additionally, you can have
the custom frame size constrained to a common aspect ratio such as 4:3 or 16:9. When
you enter a custom frame size, the output video file’s frame size will match this setting.
You are also able to define the output image’s pixel aspect ratio by choosing from a
pop-up menu with the common settings.
Note: The scaling settings are only active when using the MPEG-4, QuickTime Movie, and
Image Sequence output encoding formats.
The scaling settings are in the “Dimensions (encoded pixels)” section of the Geometry
pane.