beautypg.com

Create h.264 settings – Apple Compressor (4.0) User Manual

Page 66

background image

Chapter 5

Custom settings and output formats

66

Chapter and podcast markers
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.

You can also add podcast markers to the output file. Podcast markers are similar to chapter
markers (they can have a URL and artwork assigned to them); however, viewers cannot navigate
to them. They are intended to provide a slideshow function to audio podcasts. For information
about adding chapter and podcast markers, see

Markers and poster frames overview

on page 46.

Aspect ratios
The choice you make in the Device pop-up menu defines the width of the encoded file. The
choice you make in the Aspect Ratio pop-up menu defines the height of the encoded file.
Compressor scales the source video vertically to make it fit the height. This means that the
source video must be anamorphic (things look tall and skinny) in anticipation of being scaled to
fit the intended aspect ratio. Non-anamorphic video set to an aspect ratio other than its native
aspect ratio appears distorted in the encoded file.

Important:

If your source video is letterboxed, use the aspect ratio that matches the whole

video frame, including the black bars, or you will end up with distorted output files. You can use
the automatic crop feature to crop off the letterbox bars. For more information, see

Geometry

overview

on page 176.

The following choices are available in the Aspect Ratio pop-up menu for each device option:

4:3

16:9

1.85:1

2.35:1

Each choice results in a different height for the output media file. For example, with the iPod/
iPhone (VGA) setting, the 4:3 option results in a 640 x 480 file, whereas the 16:9 option results in
a 640 x 360 file.

If the source media file is either DV NTSC or HDV, but you’re unsure of your source media file’s
aspect ratio, click the Automatic button. This option analyzes the source media file’s aspect ratio
to determine the appropriate pixel dimensions.

Create H.264 settings

To ensure that your output media files are compatible with iPhone, iPad, iPod, and Apple TV, it’s
recommended that you use the standard settings provided in the Apple Devices group in the
Settings tab. For information about applying settings, see

Assign settings to source media

on

page 32.

You can also create media files compatible with iPhone, iPad, iPod, and Apple TV using batch
templates. For more information, see

Quick and easy batch template workflow

on page 14.

Note: Files created using iPhone and iPod settings can also play on Apple TV.