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AVCHD ==> MP4 with Compressor?

Hello everyone,


Thanks in advance for any feedback, and my apologies if this has already been answered elsewhere.


I'm trying to determine the simplest workflow for a relatively simple task. We are filming short video clips of instruments being played and posting the clips for playback on the web (Vimeo). Audio quality is very important so we're using an external studio mic, etc. Video quality is not critical - better to sacrafice video quality to make the video files smaller for quicker upload/download and smoother playback on older hardware. 640x360 is an adequate resolution.


I'm wondering if Compressor 4 can ingest AVCHD content directly. If it can, then perhaps this workflow would work:


- film 30 seconds of video of someone playing an instrument

- remove memory card from camcorder and insert into Mac

- in Compressor 4, select video clip from AVCHD folder

- set in and out points

- select pre-saved Compressor 4 settings appropriate for Vimeo

- submit for compression

- upload compressed video to Vimeo


I'm a little inexperienced regarding AVCHD but have worked with it enough to know that it can seems like a strange animal. I know that Final Cut (Pro, Express, X) can ingest AVCHD content directly, but not sure if Compressor can. I'm hoping that it's not necessary to first ingest the AVCHD media into FCP and create a QuickTime movie from there before compressing it in Compressor.


Thanks!


Tim

Posted on May 8, 2012 5:44 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on May 9, 2012 6:14 AM

No, it's not necessary (though perhaps desirable) but you'll have to get a third party app like Clipwrap and turn mts files into .mov files if you want to follow a Compressor-only workflow. Otherwise, copy the entire card structure and bring that into FCP or some other editor.


Not to second-guess, but I doubt you'll be happy with the results if you rely solely on Compressor – particularly since you indicate you care about the audio quality. Inevitably you'll want to correct something in post other than settinng in and out points…whether you do that in a video or audio editor.


Finally, remember that Vimeo is going to re-compress whatever you give it so be careful not to too aggressive in making your compression settings.


Good luck.


Russ

4 replies
Question marked as Best reply

May 9, 2012 6:14 AM in response to timsenger

No, it's not necessary (though perhaps desirable) but you'll have to get a third party app like Clipwrap and turn mts files into .mov files if you want to follow a Compressor-only workflow. Otherwise, copy the entire card structure and bring that into FCP or some other editor.


Not to second-guess, but I doubt you'll be happy with the results if you rely solely on Compressor – particularly since you indicate you care about the audio quality. Inevitably you'll want to correct something in post other than settinng in and out points…whether you do that in a video or audio editor.


Finally, remember that Vimeo is going to re-compress whatever you give it so be careful not to too aggressive in making your compression settings.


Good luck.


Russ

May 9, 2012 7:22 AM in response to Russ H

Thank you, Russ, for taking time to answer my question, which leads me to another question: Given the video clips are destined for Vimeo, does FCPX have enough compression/conversion capability to generate a video file (medium quality 640x360 video, high quality audio) for Vimeo upload, thereby avoiding the need for a Compressor 4 step? It would be nice to have to rely on a single app to ingest the AVCHD clips and generate a file ready for Vimeo upload. Thanks again ...


Tim

AVCHD ==> MP4 with Compressor?

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