Apple Final Cut Pro 6 - Manual (Page 1763)

280 Part III Output
Performing Standards Conversion
Compressor includes a high-quality standards and format conversion feature that can
be used to:
 Convert a video from NTSC to PAL or vice versa with minimal frame rate artifacts.
 Create both standard definition and high definition versions of a project. For
example, you can export a high definition sequence in Final Cut Pro to both high
definition and standard definition MPEG files for high definition and standard
definition DVD releases.
Previewing Encoded Video Quality
Compressor includes a Preview window with a split screen so you can compare your
source video with the result of the current encoding settings. The Preview window also
contains a timeline that allows you to set In and Out points for encoding. You can also
use the timeline to view and edit chapter, compression, and edit/cut markers.
Creating AC-3 Dolby Digital Audio
The Compressor AC-3 encoder is used to encode a variety of multichannel audio
configurations, such as stereo or 5.1-channel surround sound, into Dolby Digital audio
streams for use with DVD Studio Pro.
Batch Processing and Distributed Processing
You can encode movies individually or you can submit multiple movies to a batch
processing queue. Apple Qmaster, included with Compressor, reduces encoding time
with distributed processing, which distributes your video encoding tasks to multiple
computers on your local area network. Each computer needs to be configured as an
Apple Qmaster node.
Important: Distributed processing when exporting to Compressor directly from
Final Cut Pro also requires each computer to have Final Cut Pro installed.
See the Compressor User Manual for information about configuring computers for use
in a distributed encoding process.
Compressor Droplets
Compressor Droplets are small applications you create in Compressor to perform
specific encoding tasks. If you have particular compression settings you use routinely,
you can save them as a Compressor Droplet and then drag your media files to the
Droplet whenever you want to create a compressed version of your media.
See the Compressor User Manual for more information on creating and using droplets.