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User profile for user: Liam-Maguire
Liam-Maguire Author
User level: Level 1
10 points

Final Cut Pro doesn't let me change H.264 Faster Encode to Better Quality

Hi

I was watching a video (https://youtu.be/Qufkxmwn31M) about the best ways to export a video for YouTube in Final Cut Pro.


After setting the format to "Computer" (mp4), he sets the codec to H.264 Better Quality. But for me, there is no drop down list, and it only lets me pick "Faster Encode".


I tried switching it to 1080p and 4K but nothing works.


Is this because the quality of the video I recorded is not high enough?


If I choose "Web Export" as the quality, it allows be to choose "Better Quality" but just not with "Computer" (mp4).


Thanks

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 12.0

Posted on Nov 8, 2021 11:20 PM

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User profile for user: Matti Haveri
Matti Haveri
User level: Level 6
16,673 points

Posted on Nov 9, 2021 1:12 AM

In the past I have used "Better Quality" setting over "Faster" thinking that it relates to image quality.


But maybe "Faster" now really means faster hardware encoding via GPU ot T2 chip and "Better Quality" means slower CPU encoding? And to clear some confusion Apple has now removed that "Better Quality" setting so people don' use it to no effect??


The link below discusses Compressor but AFAIR I recently read a similar test about Mac mini 2018 T2 chip and FCP encoding settings.


"To enable hardware acceleration, be sure to select Faster for the Encoding type in the Video Inspector. Setting the Encoder type to Slower performs compression using software, which is much, much, much slower."


https://larryjordan.com/articles/apple-adds-hardware-to-improve-video-compression-speeds/

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User profile for user: Matti Haveri
Matti Haveri
User level: Level 6
16,673 points

Nov 9, 2021 1:12 AM in response to Liam-Maguire

In the past I have used "Better Quality" setting over "Faster" thinking that it relates to image quality.


But maybe "Faster" now really means faster hardware encoding via GPU ot T2 chip and "Better Quality" means slower CPU encoding? And to clear some confusion Apple has now removed that "Better Quality" setting so people don' use it to no effect??


The link below discusses Compressor but AFAIR I recently read a similar test about Mac mini 2018 T2 chip and FCP encoding settings.


"To enable hardware acceleration, be sure to select Faster for the Encoding type in the Video Inspector. Setting the Encoder type to Slower performs compression using software, which is much, much, much slower."


https://larryjordan.com/articles/apple-adds-hardware-to-improve-video-compression-speeds/

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Final Cut Pro doesn't let me change H.264 Faster Encode to Better Quality

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