In Quicktime when exporting you can choose how to export your video in the first drop-down window. (ex. Movie to iPod, Movie to MPEG-4, Movie to QuickTime Movie).
After making that selection you can now click on 'options' and mess with the 'settings'.
Using identical bitrates/size/filters/etc. -- Is there a difference between between (for example) exporting:
"Movie to MPEG-4 > and changing the setting to H.264"
and
"Movie to QuickTime Movie > and using H.264 video compression setting"
That is just one example. I ask because I find it very confusing that Quicktime offers all these possible export options when really some are redundant in that they can be achieved using a different export option and changing the settings.
In my efforts finding the best way to export I find the needless addition of possibilities overwhelming when perhaps there really are less. I don't know if I should export as Quicktime using a particular setting, or Movie to iPhone.... the differences between .mp4 & .m4v and when to use each one!!? It's overwhelming.
I don't want a lesson on the differences because I've read it 100x over (although I am begging for help). I need to know when to use what. But again, I don't want lessons on how it depends on bitrate and such. I know all that. Just when do you use each format extension!? Are certain formats completely interchangable and all you have to do is change the extension!!?!--in which case I would have wasted hours re-exporting an .m4v file as a .mp4 file or a H.264 file!! Are these the same except for the extension!!?
As far as when to use each extension, it depends you say?-- okay... I edit on FCP. I output my ProRes422 files for my master. If I want a high quality version for my desktop I export a H.264 file. If I want to make a DVD, well let's not get into it but as a videographer I've done that many times and understand that.
Now I'm entering a new realm. I'm trying to build a website and need to find best ways to upload video. ALL my research has show the most agreed upon best way is H.264 in a Flash wrapper. So as far as that's concerned unless you need to make a DVD or something, aside from the master, it doesn't make sense to export in any other format than that. But can I do this in Quicktime or do I need a Flash encoder like Flash Media Encoder (in CS4). Because it seems to take MUCH longer in Flash Media Encoder to output a .mp4 file then in Quicktime exporting a .mp4 file.
QuickTime offers their Export for Web but having messed with that for days I've learned I've wasted all that time because it's not the flash that I want. Or is it? Do all I have to do is change the file extension? Using Export for Web you can't change the settings. Is it doing anything special or could I achieve the same results manually exporting?
These are the questions I have. Does anyone feel my pain (if you could make it through this long rant)? I would greatly appreciate any advice.
Thank you
After making that selection you can now click on 'options' and mess with the 'settings'.
Using identical bitrates/size/filters/etc. -- Is there a difference between between (for example) exporting:
"Movie to MPEG-4 > and changing the setting to H.264"
and
"Movie to QuickTime Movie > and using H.264 video compression setting"
That is just one example. I ask because I find it very confusing that Quicktime offers all these possible export options when really some are redundant in that they can be achieved using a different export option and changing the settings.
In my efforts finding the best way to export I find the needless addition of possibilities overwhelming when perhaps there really are less. I don't know if I should export as Quicktime using a particular setting, or Movie to iPhone.... the differences between .mp4 & .m4v and when to use each one!!? It's overwhelming.
I don't want a lesson on the differences because I've read it 100x over (although I am begging for help). I need to know when to use what. But again, I don't want lessons on how it depends on bitrate and such. I know all that. Just when do you use each format extension!? Are certain formats completely interchangable and all you have to do is change the extension!!?!--in which case I would have wasted hours re-exporting an .m4v file as a .mp4 file or a H.264 file!! Are these the same except for the extension!!?
As far as when to use each extension, it depends you say?-- okay... I edit on FCP. I output my ProRes422 files for my master. If I want a high quality version for my desktop I export a H.264 file. If I want to make a DVD, well let's not get into it but as a videographer I've done that many times and understand that.
Now I'm entering a new realm. I'm trying to build a website and need to find best ways to upload video. ALL my research has show the most agreed upon best way is H.264 in a Flash wrapper. So as far as that's concerned unless you need to make a DVD or something, aside from the master, it doesn't make sense to export in any other format than that. But can I do this in Quicktime or do I need a Flash encoder like Flash Media Encoder (in CS4). Because it seems to take MUCH longer in Flash Media Encoder to output a .mp4 file then in Quicktime exporting a .mp4 file.
QuickTime offers their Export for Web but having messed with that for days I've learned I've wasted all that time because it's not the flash that I want. Or is it? Do all I have to do is change the file extension? Using Export for Web you can't change the settings. Is it doing anything special or could I achieve the same results manually exporting?
These are the questions I have. Does anyone feel my pain (if you could make it through this long rant)? I would greatly appreciate any advice.
Thank you