Apple Compressor (4.0) - Manual (Page 66)

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.