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Helpful articles for Final Cut Pro for Mac, Final Cut Pro for iPad and Final Cut Camera:
If I export a 4k MOV file with h.264 codec, and then drag it into a new timeline and then export it again at h.264, will there be a noticeable quality loss? Does the quality get worse each time it's been exported?
The deterioration is usually minimal to the point where no normal observer can notice any difference.
As with everything in life, don't take our word for it, do a test with a minute of the trickiest type of footage as mentioned by Tom.
You will then have your own definitive answer.
However, remember that "fussy" footage like rippling water or blowing leaves needs a higher bit rate than more static bland subjects.
The deterioration is usually minimal to the point where no normal observer can notice any difference.
As with everything in life, don't take our word for it, do a test with a minute of the trickiest type of footage as mentioned by Tom.
You will then have your own definitive answer.
However, remember that "fussy" footage like rippling water or blowing leaves needs a higher bit rate than more static bland subjects.
Every time the file is decompressed there is a deterioration in quality. Depending on the content it may not be noticeable in the second export. The more difficult the content is to compress, rippling water, shaking willow leaves, fast motion, the more likely the quality loss will become noticeable.
Thanks both! I know this all depends on the eyes of the viewer, but in your opinion, taking a 4k 60fps video with h.264 and exporting it two times, would you notice a difference? Are we talking something significant? Or almost impossible for the average human eye to notice?
With any "lossy" codec such as h264 there is quality loss upon each re-code. How much of a difference really has to be determined by testing. It is like making a photocopy of a photocopy.
What Tom said.
But you can do a little experiment yourself. I am guessing that you won’t notice a difference after two exports, but why not try four, five...
Will exporting an already exported MOV file have a loss in quality?
