Festival Compression - Questions / Strategies

I use Vegas and I usually export cropped out of vegas as a .mov using Sorenson3 at a high data rate (1200K). This go around and I shot in squeeze, I will export my video at 720x405 to get the correct aspect ratio and no bars. Then I take it into QT pro and render out in H.264 to get under the size limit. Works fine for me and I get good quality. Haven't tweaked the final render dimensions yet, but just keep aspect ratio set and should render well.

I've tried to render to H.264 mp4 file right out of Vegas and then just pop into a mov container using QT pro (this avoids a second render). Unfortunately, this gives me some wierd QT error. The only thing I see different between my mp4 files created in vegas and other mp4 files that I've been able to "re-containerize" (QT pro save as versus export) is that the other files seem to use an apple codec, while vegas uses a mainconcept encoder.

Also, as someone mentioned, the audio make a pretty significant difference in final file size.
 
FutureDVXUser said:
Oh, and how much is Photoshop? Can I buy that at a Circuit City? I know we need to make a banner and stuff, and I'd really like to make a cooler banner because Windows Paint Shop isn't doin much justice.
Click to expand...

I used the GIMP for a while. It's also free and has many of the same add ons as photshop.
 
kurtmo said:
I used the GIMP for a while. It's also free and has many of the same add ons as photshop.
Click to expand...

Thanks man, it's a cool program...

Just wondering... What's the height and width supposed to be for a poster? Please let me know...

Thanks
 
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Initially I was going to set a specific size for the posters, but going through the threads I see different size/shape posters and didn't want to add extra work for people to re-design posters at the last minute.

It will get resized to fit in our layout, but there is some flexibility. Just look at some of the posters that have been created and posted in the opening post of some of the movie threads and that should give you a fair idea of what I'm looking for.

Hope that helps,
Larry
 
One question, considering a zip file is uploaded, which it will further compress the video let's say about 3%, shouldn't this give an advantage at encoding the movie at a little bit higher than 50MB?
 
Good question, but no. The 50MB limit is for the h.264 file itself. The zip is just to make it easier on us to move the files around and keep them together, etc, etc.

Once they hit the server they are split apart and all that will be downloaded to the user is the h.264 mov file, which should not exceed 50MB.

Peace,
Larry
 
Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0 Export/Compression Tutorial (for footage shot in Squeeze Mode)

Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0 Export/Compression Tutorial (for footage shot in Squeeze Mode)

Workflow: Export uncompressed AVI from Premiere Pro 2.0, then compress to h264 using QuickTime Pro.

Exporting from Premiere Pro 2.0

Step 1 – Go to File > Export > Movie

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Step 2 – Name the file, and then click on Settings…

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Step 3 – Select General from the menu on the left. Then for File Type: Select Microsoft AVI

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Step 3a – You can also pick the Range you want to export…assuming this is your final render, you’ll probably want to pick the Entire Sequence

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Step 4 – Select Video from the menu on the left. Then for Compressor, select None

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Step 5 – The rest of the video settings should be taken from your project; no need to adjust them.

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Step 6 – Select Audio from the menu on the left. For Compressor, select Uncompressed.

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Step 7 – From the General menu, you can click on OK

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Step 8 – Click on Save and go get some coffee and a sandwich if your computer is as slow as mine:

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*** Continued in next post....
 
QuickTime Pro Compression

QuickTime Pro Compression

QuickTime Pro Compression

Since these settings affect the size and quality of the final output, they are obviously subject to change, depending on what you want to achieve. For SpyFest, using the following settings, I ended up with a 640 x 360 resolution, 45,060KB .mov file, well within the size limits. YMMV…

Step 1 – Open up your uncompressed AVI in QuickTime Pro and go to File > Export…

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Step 2 – Give your movie a name and click on Options…

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Step 3 – This is the Options window. You can see all the settings I used. For the tutorial’s sake, I’ll go through them. Under Video, click on Settings…

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Step 4 – You will see the Video Compression Settings window

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Step 5 – For Compression Type, pull down the list and select H.264

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Step 6 – In the Data Rate section, select Restrict to, and input 900 kbits/sec. Click OK

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Step 7 – From the main Movie Settings window, under Video, click on Size…For Dimensions, pull down the list and select Custom

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Step 8 – In the dimensions fields, enter 640 and 360, and then click on OK

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Step 9 – From the main Movie Settings window, under Sound, click on Settings…These were the settings I used. Again, you may not like the audio quality at certain settings…you’ll have to find a setting that you are comfortable with, as audio compression saves a good chunk of space. Once you’re done, click on OK to return to the main window.

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Step 10 – Click on OK now that all your settings are done

Step 11 – Click on Save, and you’re off. Good luck.
 
Thanks Apollyon...that's the kind of tutorial I'm looking for. Now we just need to collect these from the other popular NLE's in use. :thumbsup:

I'll turn this into a nice PDF whitepaper and make it available soon, and at each of the future fests.
 
PLEASE HELP

this compression crap for the spyfest is becoming a pain in the ass.

I never saw the quicktime codec options window appear when using my canopus procoder express. Couldn't get the files small enough without looking like crap. So I ditched that idea and bought the Quicktime Pro.

I have exported my movie from adobe premiere as an UNCOMPRESSED .avi file.

Now, following the instructions on here, I am attempting to export it as a QT tile using Quicktime pro. 2 problems:

1. When I click the options buttion and opens up the movie settings, the Sound settings box (entire bottom half of that window) is grayed out. I cannot change the sound settings at all.

2. After I export the movie, it says its there and that its about 52mb. However it will not play. No errors, just noting on screen as the progress bar flys across the QT player window.


GEEZE!!!
 
I'm having serious issues as well... mostly with the sound.

I can get a WMV that small, it looks and sounds pretty good.

H.264 is killing me!

I've been at it all night with no luck.

Any suggestions?
if I get the sound right then the file ends up being too large.

UGH!!

Mike
 
ripupthehwy - are you sure the audio was uncompressed from Premiere as well? The only thing I can think of that would prevent QT Pro from being able to work with your audio, is if it was compressed with a codec QT didn't recognize. I'm at work right now, and not at home so can't check my pc, but I can't think of anything else that would cause that.
 
My problem is that I exported it from Premiere pro as a HD WMV.
1440 x 1080

It looks and sounds great, and it is a little over 300MB.

I tried exporting it as an AVI but the sound doesn't synch with the video??
Not sure why.

This is why 've gone with the WMV.

I'm now trying to convert it to H.264 with After Effects.

I'm trying to get a 10 second section to around 1.3MB and still have decent sound.
That should keep it under 50MB.

I've got to get it right... the full compression of the 6 minute clip will take 6 hours.
I'm slowly running out of time...

Mike
 
Here is what I would reccommend. Buy Quicktime Pro. Export Uncompressed Quicktime out of Premiere Pro. Open it in Quicktime Pro. Export as a 720x405 H.264 video at 65 quality with apple uncompressed sound at 32khz. This should make a movie about 50mb. if you want to err on the smaller size. Go 720x405 at 62 percent quality. it is what we did with Son of Bond. it looks rocking!
 
Thanks! Exporting it as a DV AVI seems to be working and the sound is synched.
Can QT Pro convert it?

I hope so... I just bought it.

I could go back and export an uncompressed Quicktime if my PC has the space. How big would a 6 minute 1440 x 1080 file be? Approximately..
 
This is crazy... the DV AVI looks great in the Windows Media Player, but it looks like crap when viewing it with the QT player.

I'm converting it with QT Pro anyway just to see how the final product looks.

I'm at 11%

Garbage in usually means garbage out. I'll see how it looks.

I'll try MeGui if this doesn't work.

The DV AVI is > 1 GB
 
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