Apple Final Cut Pro 7 - Manual (Page 1713)

Apple M-JPEG
There are two Apple M-JPEG codecs, M-JPEG A and M-JPEG B. These are variable data
rate codecs similar to the ones used by video capture cards. If you need to deliver more
heavily compressed material to keep files small, consider these codecs. M-JPEG is a “lossy”
codec (meaning visual information is permanently removed from the video frames) and
will result in artifacts in your video. The severity of these artifacts depends on the data
rate you choose.
Several video interface cards on the market can play back either M-JPEG A or M-JPEG B
in real time without rerendering the material, or, at most, doing minimal rerendering.
This makes file interchange very fast. Before you use either M-JPEG A or B, consult the
manufacturer of the capture card you’re using to find out which one you should use.
Note: Apple M-JPEG movies cannot have alpha channels.
JPEG
JPEG is similar to M-JPEG, except that the compression artifacts can be less severe at
similar data rates. JPEG movies may play back in real time on your system, depending on
your system’s capabilities and the data rate of the movie.
Note: JPEG movies cannot have alpha channels.
Third-Party Codecs
There are several manufacturers of video-editing solutions, most of whom use different
variations of the M-JPEG codec. Many make software-only QuickTime codecs that you
can install on your system, enabling you to play back movies with little or no rerendering.
For more information, contact the manufacturer of the editing system.
Note: Most third-party codecs cannot have alpha channels.
Graphics and Still-Image Formats
Here is a list of common graphics and still-image formats:
• BMP: Standard bit-mapped graphics format used on Windows computers.
• FlashPix: A format for storing digital images, especially digital photographs, developed
by Eastman Kodak Company.
• GIF: Graphic Interchange Format. A common bit-mapped graphics file format used on
the web.
• JPEG/JFIF: Joint Photographics Experts Group. A “lossy” compression file format used
for images. JFIF is JPEG File Interchange Format.
• MacPaint (PNTG): A monochrome file format used on early versions of the Mac operating
system.
1713 Chapter 103 Learning About QuickTime