Compressor 4 - Choosing an Output Format

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

.

• 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