Hi all,
I have a project edited from 1920x1080 HDV source in Final Cut Express 4.0.1. I need to export as a 640x380 h.264 MP4/M4A for web distribution. In Export->Quicktime Conversion, I initially tried the iPhone and MPEG-4 encoder presets. This produces an output that is distorted horizontally -- 480x360, not 640x360. I can use the Quicktime Movie option and force a resolution of 640x360, and then convert this to MP4 using FFMpeg, but this does not preserve the streaming info encoded in the other streams, so they wait to load completely before playing back in a Flash Video player, which is unacceptable.

Any thoughts on approaches to solve this?

Ryan

It looks like you have QuickTime pro - that was my first suggestion (Apple + J in QT brings up movie properties). This is so easy to do if you have compressor but since you are using express, that isn't an option. There is also another piece of software, called DV Kitchen (by dvcreators) It basically preserves your aspect and encodes it to the best possible web setting, then uploads it to your FTP. I use it often for streaming things.

The only other option that I can think of, is getting your hands on some free software to make an export. Handbrake comes to mind.
Hope this helps,
-C

I am not familiar with FCE as I have only used FCP & iMovie but in both of those I get a very similar dialogue for Export>Quicktime where I don't have to use pre-sets but I can specify exactly whatever size, aspect ratio ratio, quality or bit rate, CODEC etc. that I want to use. If for some reason that is not possible with FCE then I suggest that you save a file in the best possible quality & correct aspect ratio & then use MPEG Streamclip to convert that video to whatever format you want. Squared 5 - MPEG Streamclip video converter for Mac and Windows (http://www.squared5.com/)