Exporting to WMV - Best Options?

[Ron Pfister]

Hello all!

I have a project I need to export from a 720p25-timeline to WMV. What would be the most cost-effective solution that would allow me to flexibly scale the output format (WMV - ideally Advanced Profile - at several sizes from native to 320x180) with high quality? I could either do all this on the Mac or take the footage across to a PC (that has no NLE-solution installed, I should note). I've tried Flip4Mac WMV, exporting directly from FCP or via QT Pro, but it keeps crashing at the end of the conversion...

Any hints and workflow-suggestions would be most welcome!

Cheers,

Ron

[Dave Perry]

I use PopWire's QT plugin. It works with any QT based app like FCP, iMovie, and QT itself. I have the free version which I don't think supports HD. Not sure because I don't use it much. Just the rare occasion when a client is too stupid or lazy to download QT player. The times I've used it however, it works great.

Let me take that back regarding price. It was $29.95. There may be an HD capable version now but like I said, I don't have a real demand for it.

[Ron Pfister]

Thanks for your feedback, Dave! Much cheaper than Flip4Mac HD Studio Pro - the only TeleStream product that would let you export hi-rez wmv flexibly. I just noticed, however, that TeleStream have acquired PopWire. I fear for the PopWire products. I quickly bought a license as long as the wmv 9 component is still available...

Addendum: HD-export worked well. There are no HD-presets, but I converted an AIC 720p25 clip successfully using the 'Local playback DVD quality' preset, which maintains the native rez and frame rate.

Thanks again!

Ron