edteck
Level 1 (4 points)
Apple Music

Q: I need help with Compressor 4 settings to convert .mp4 files to .m4v for iBooks Author

I'm a curriculum design guy with no video background. I have Compressor 4, but don't really know much about how to best use it.  I'd appreciate some help with getting the right setting for my project. Screen shots of settings would be much appreciated, since I don't know much video terminology.

 

I'm making an free iBook for students on WWII propaganda using old videos from the Internet archive.

 

I'd plan to use Compressor to:

1. Convert the .mp4 files to a .m4v that iBooks Author will accept. (I know I can use QT for that, but it increases file size)

2. Use Compressor to reduce file size so my iBook doesn't get too big

3. Get videos that look & sound the best, given the poor quality of the original source videos.

 

Here's some sample videos that I'll use:

http://www.archive.org/download/OutOfTheFryingPanIntoTheFiringLine/OutOfTheFryin gPanIntoTheFiringLine.mp

http://archive.org/download/AvengeDe1942/AvengeDe1942_edit.mp4

 

PS - I will also be editing some of the original videos in iMovie - if I use different settings to prep those videos for iBook Author, let me know.

 

Much thanks in advance for any help

MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Jul 7, 2012 10:59 AM

by David M Brewer,Solvedanswer
David M Brewer David M Brewer
Level 6 (9,419 points)
Video
A:

Compressor is half the size compared to QtX encoding, 17 MBs...

 

File Format... H.264 for Apple Devices...

Device: iPhone Local/WiFi

 

001.png

 

Aspect Ratio: 4:3 480x368

Data Rate: 700

Uncheck Multi-pass

Screen Shot 2012-07-07 at 1.36.15 PM.png

Posted on Jul 7, 2012 12:49 PM

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edteck

Q: I need help with Compressor 4 settings to convert .mp4 files to .m4v for iBooks Author

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  • Helpful answers

  • by David M Brewer,Helpful

    David M Brewer David M Brewer Jul 7, 2012 11:21 AM in response to edteck
    Level 6 (9,419 points)
    Video
    Jul 7, 2012 11:21 AM in response to edteck

    I'm converting a 4k video (4096x2304) in compressor to ProRes right now, very intensive. I'll take look at the footage for now.  How big is your book without the videos? If I remember right an iBook has a file size limit of 2 GiG.

  • by David M Brewer,Solvedanswer

    David M Brewer David M Brewer Jul 7, 2012 12:49 PM in response to David M Brewer
    Level 6 (9,419 points)
    Video
    Jul 7, 2012 12:49 PM in response to David M Brewer

    Compressor is half the size compared to QtX encoding, 17 MBs...

     

    File Format... H.264 for Apple Devices...

    Device: iPhone Local/WiFi

     

    001.png

     

    Aspect Ratio: 4:3 480x368

    Data Rate: 700

    Uncheck Multi-pass

    Screen Shot 2012-07-07 at 1.36.15 PM.png

  • by edteck,

    edteck edteck Jul 7, 2012 2:20 PM in response to David M Brewer
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Music
    Jul 7, 2012 2:20 PM in response to David M Brewer

    Thanks so much David..

     

    I started with a  14MB mp4 and used the Compressor 4 settings above to create a 20 MB m4v.

     

    Just so I'm clear, Compressor can't make the file smaller, but does create a IBA usable m4v without much increase in file size?

     

    (when I converted using QT, it took same video up to 41 MB?)

     

    ~~~~~~~~~~~

     

    I'm editing down some of longer videos with iMovie.   Can you recommend any iMovie export settings for best results?

  • by edteck,

    edteck edteck Jul 7, 2012 2:40 PM in response to David M Brewer
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Music
    Jul 7, 2012 2:40 PM in response to David M Brewer

    To reply to your book size question. I have two strategies to keep file size below 1 GIG.

    1. Cut book up into separate volumes - use 2 or 3 ibooks instead of one

    2. Edit some of the videos down and then provide link to full video on Internet archive