Apple Compressor (4.0) - Manual (Page 122)

Chapter 5 Custom settings and output formats 122
QuickTime media files for the web
You can play your output media files over the web with QuickTime, once the files are compressed
to a data rate appropriate for the bandwidth you expect your audience to have. You can do this
by making your output media files either QuickTime Fast Start movies (pre-buffered download)
or QuickTime Streaming movies.
You can choose different streaming options from the Streaming pop-up menu in the QuickTime
Movie Encoder pane.
Chapter and podcast markers for QuickTime output
Chapter markers created in Final Cut Pro are passed through (transferred) to other output files
that can be recognized by QuickTime Player, iTunes (.m4v files), and Final Cut Pro. For information
about adding chapter and podcast markers, see
Markers and poster frames overview on page 46.
QuickTime video codecs
Codec stands for compressor (CO)/decompressor (DEC) pairs. You use different codecs for different
playback methods (such as the web or DVD). Once you know the playback method of your target
audience, you can pick a suitable codec. To decide which codec is right for your needs, you must
choose the necessary level of compression to meet your data rate limits and the level of quality
you want.
Each codec offers advantages and disadvantages. Some codecs are more appropriate for storing
certain types of media; others introduce more artifacts. Some compress slowly and decompress
quickly, and others compress and decompress at the same speed. Some codecs can compress
a file to 1/100 of its original size, and others decrease the file size very little. Some codecs are
available only on specific operating system platforms, some require a particular processor, and
some require a minimum version of QuickTime for playback.
When choosing a codec, consider the following:
•
Minimum system requirements of your target audience
•
Source material
•
Quality of the compressed media file
•
Size of the compressed media file
•
Compression/decompression time for the media file
•
If the media file will be streamed
Compressor comes equipped with the standard video codecs that QuickTime offers and the
additional codec options that come with QuickTime Pro. Unless you know that people in your
target audience have a particular codec installed on their computers, you should use one of the
standard QuickTime codecs to ensure universal compatability.
Note: See the relevant QuickTime documentation for more information about choosing video
codecs and how to get the best out of the video codec settings.