best codec for high quality web stream from FCP

[Tom Rosson]

Hi,

I am having a new web page built that will displau material shot in both 16-9 and 4-3. I am wondering which is the best codec for rendering for webstream, to maintain as true as possible color range and picture quality.

Also, any thoughts on whether to go anamorphic or letter box would be appreicated, thanks...

[Edward Carlson]

I have always had good results with the H.264 codec. It takes a long time to render, but the file sizes are smaller (37MB for a 15 minutes movie) and it's a high quality picture. From FCP I export with Compressor and use the Wb Streaming (QT 7 Compatible) 300Kpbs. I think it automatically changes the dimensions based on the aspect ratio of the original.

[Sergio Sanchez]

If you use the FLV it looks very good as well, I exported on DV resolution high quality and the file uses almost 10MB.

I have an example of the quality.

http://www.elitestudios.com.mx/demoreel/index.htm

[Martin Pauly]

Hi Sergio,

nice reel, and I like the encoding! Did you use the standard FLV encoder that comes with Flash? If so, would you mind sharing with us what settings you used, or any other tricks you can suggest you to achieve this kind of quality?

Thanks,
Martin

[Nick Weeks]

I export HDV from final cut pro into my own custom preset in compressor, then use Adobe Flash video encoder to encode to 1000kbps video with 128kbps audio, works pretty well, but plays pretty choppy on slower, older PCs.

Here's an example:
http://www.superiumpro.com/media/DavisSample.xdm

Here are the compressor settings:
File Extension: mov
Audio Encoder
AAC, Stereo (L R), 48.000 kHz
Video Encoder
Format: QT
Width: 720
Height: 405
Pixel aspect ratio: 0.75
Crop: None
Frame rate: 29.97
Frame Controls: Off
Codec Type: H.264
Multi-pass: On, frame reorder: On
Pixel depth: 24
Spatial quality: 75
Min. Spatial quality: 25
Key frame interval: 24
Temporal quality: 50
Min. temporal quality: 25
Deinterlacing
Algorithm: Sharp

[Dana Salsbury]

Thanks for posting that Nick. I just got flash, and that will save me some trial and error time -- agonizing time hemorraging with plenty of trials followed by plenty of errors! I hope to convert my web stuff to flash and ultimately offer all web stuff solely with Flash. Quicktime has been painfully slow compared to WMV, and is horrible quality for wedding videos compared to WMV. The two links on this thread loaded very quickly and looked sharp. I'm sold, in addition to the fact that Flash is the most accessible format.

I watched the video. It looks like you enjoy filming, and your shots are well thought out. I like that your logo is not intrusive into the screen, yet brands you well.

[Douglas R. Bruce]

Although I don't use FCP, I have been doing HDV stuff for my website for some time now.
I made a tutorial about the method I use to create my flash movies.

Just ignore the fact that I edit with Avid Liquid.
Also you can choose different bitrates and screen sizes to get your video streaming more easily.
Maybe you can find some pointers in the tutorial which will lead you in the right direction.
Good luck

Regards
Douglas

The url of my tutorial is
http://www.gaijin-eyes.com/tutorials/enc/pagepre1.htm

[Dana Salsbury]

Dozo mo ichito ite kudasai Bruce-san! That's good information. Flash is the way to go, and you do well with it.

So how bad was my Japanese? It has been awhile.