HDV clip export problems

What compression format is recommended for export of a 30-sec. HD clip that is to be uploaded to the Web? I've tried several (resulting in file sizes ranging from 311-480 mb) and all have yielded poor playback quality. Also, I can't get any of the clips, which I've saved to a desktop folder, to appear in the correct 16x9 aspect ratio, even when I play them it back through my Quicktime Player.

480MB!? For the web!? Nobody's going to wait for that to download. And also, if you're not happy with the video quality of a 30-second clip at 480MB, then I think you might either be too picky, or you're using the wrong codec. A 30-second clip should look good even at 20MB if you're using the H.264 codec.

What codec and export settings are you using? And what HD format?


www.derekmok.com

I suspected I had gotten way off track, perhaps by letting the fact that this is my first export of an HDV capture more complicated than it needs to be.

I did indeed use the H.264 codec for my first export, selecting a 1440x1080 format using Quicktome Conversion. It resulted in a file size of almost 500 mb. As this is intended for upload to a stock library, I was led to believe from other sample clips on their website, as well as their owninstructions, that this file size is not unusual, and that they wish to preserve as much of the original HDV capture as possible. Does this make any sense?

But yes, the upload (and any subsequent downloads) take an eternity, and I still don't know why I lose aspect ratio on playback.

Find out from them exactly what format and codec they want. 1440x1080 is correct HDV material.

They recommend to favor a Quicktime File and the Jpeg Motion2 codec, however I was only able to find something called Jpeg 2000 in my FCP 6.0 Quicktime Conversion menu choices. And when I tried that, then exported to a desktop folder, the file size was something preposterous -- over a gig. Is there something I'm overlooking here? If not, any workarounds? Many thanks.

> They recommend to favor a Quicktime File and the Jpeg Motion2 code

Sure about this? Sounds to me like they actually want Motion JPEG A. Photo JPEG would also retain good quality, but neither codec is good at getting file sizes down.


www.derekmok.com

Thanks for the correction -- sorry, I did mean Motion JPEG A. Any reason why it doesn't appear in the drop-down menu for FCP 6.0? I'll give Photo JPEG a try, in the meantime.

Still concerned about my aspect ratio problem. Based on those earlier exports, it seems to be unrelated to codec choice. I'd best wait for an answer on this before attempting another 3-hour upload.

Motion JPEG A is really old. I worked with it earlier this year and I actually remember it not being in Compressor, either. So I had to use MPEG Streamclip to make the clips.

If they don't say they accept Photo JPEG, then don't use Photo JPEG. Check with them first. You can't assume you can take liberties with delivery specs.

> Still concerned about my aspect ratio problem.

This one should be easy to fix. I'm guessing when you're exporting, you're using presets that don't fit your actual 16:9 frame size.


www.derekmok.com

Turns out Photo JPEG is actually their first choice. So it's all starting to make sense:

- Old JPEG A program equals outgoing or obsolete program.
- HDV horizontal compression yields 1440x1080 (inherently squeezing image); thus, change pixel settings to 16x9 ratio prior to export.

I think the sizing selections in QC might just accomplish the latter. In any case, lots of good info here to give it a re-try. Many thanks.