Compressor 4 tutorial - encoding a video without quality loss.

 Using Compressor 4 (Developed by Apple Inc.) may be a little bit confusing for someone who are using older versions of the same. here you will learn how to use compressor 4 for encoding or converting a video without losing its quality (depending on video format).

 Open compressor from the dock ( if you don't have compressor installed in your mac, get one from apple store it is not too expensive.) You can choose from the different suggestions (such as dvd, blu ray, youtube, etc) which appears in the welcome screen or just cancel it.

   Drag and drop the video you want to encode in the video drop zone which is available in the top left part of the window with a downward arrow icon and right click or Ctrl click in just right side of the video you dragged in. In the different options, choose new target with settings and look for the format you would like to convert your video into.

  Thats all. Click submit. Again click submit. Compressor 4 will export video in the same destination as your original video resides in the format you choose. Of course you can change the destination.

 Hope Compressor 4 tutorial helped you in encoding a video. Again a bit confusion? Watch the video for more step by step guide.

How to burn a Video CD or DVD in Mac?

 Many guys asked me several times about writing a video CD/DVD in Mac OS which can be played in standard DVD Players. Here I would like to share some tips on it.

 Some feel it a hard time when they are asked to burn a Video DVD in Mac, but it is as easy as you would do in windows. As we use 'Nero' as a standard software for Disk burning in windows, a software developed by 'Roxio' named 'Toast Titanium' can be used to burn a disc in Mac OSX. It is not a free software like Nero ( Nero's free version has some limitations), but you can burn audio Discs, MP3 Disks, Video Disks, etc using Toast Titanium. Apart from this, you can even convert Video and audio files to other formats using this software.

 In the Dock, click on Toast Titanium icon. If it is not there and you already installed it, check for it on Application launcher and click on the Toaster like icon.

In the top left corner, there are five icons representing to use for burning Data, Audio, Video, Copy and Convert. The position and design of the icons may vary according to the version you are using.

 If you wants to Burn a Data Disk in Mac, use the first option and choose from sub options (Mac only or Mac&PC).

 If you wants to Burn a Audio Disk or MP3 Disk in Mac, use the second option and choose relevent sub menu.

 If you wants to Burn a Video CD/DVD in Mac, click on the third option and select 'Video DVD' or 'Video TS Folders' according to the file type you have.

 Copying a Disk to another Disk using Toast is a simple task. Choose the fourth option and insert the Disk from which you wants to copy files and click the burn button.

 For Converting video in Mac, choose the last option and click on 'video files' or any other option you want, click on burn button, select the quality and other options and click convert. Toast will convert and save the file in the destination you selected.

 How to import .MTS files to FCP is a common question that so many editors may not know the answer. Here is the trick. Final Cut Pro may not support .MTS files natively if they dont have the complete file structure. If they have, you can choose the Log and Transfer window in FCP 7 and Import window in FCP X to import .MTS files to Final cut pro. But if they dont have complete file structure as like camera, to use these files in Final Cut Pro, you have to convert .MTS files to apple's ProRes codec and to do this, you can use the same method mentioned above for converting.

 Watch this video for a more detailed step by step guide.

Feel free to get in touch. Your comments are welcome :-)

What is time code

Timecode is a signal recorded with your video that uniquely identifies each frame on tape. When you capture video or audio in Final Cut Pro, you also capture the timecode signal, which is displayed in Final Cut Pro when you play back your clips.
 
Timecode allows you to recapture your footage from tape and always get the same frames. Final Cut Pro uses SMPTE timecode (developed by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers), which is represented in hours, minutes, seconds, and frames, using the following format:

01:32:15:23

Means you are viewing the 23rd frame came after 01 hrs 32 mins 15 seconds.

In Final Cut Pro, timecode is used for synchronization between video and audio clip items, project interchange (such as Edit Decision Lists), and recapturing clips from tape. When you play clips, Final Cut Pro displays the media file timecode. Timecode also allows you to navigate through your sequences, and see how long your edit is.

Basics of Video Production Workflow

Before you start editing, it’s helpful to know about industry workflow. Even though no two movie projects follow exactly the same steps,there is a common workflow that almost every project follows.

 The common steps involved in a movie production are as follows.

Step 1: Scripting

Scripting is where the movie is conceived and written.

Step 2: Pre production

In this step budgeting, casting, location fixing, equipment & format selection, andstory boarding,etc are executed.

Step 3: Production

In this step we creates the footage. ie; capturing performances using a video camera. Video and ausi are recorded here. Lighting, cinematography, acting, and directing all takes place to tell the story. For convenience, scenes are usually shot out of order. They have to be properly arranged during editing..

Step 4: Post-Production

In this step, we organize and assemble our production footage, putting
scenes in proper order, selecting the best takes, and eliminating unnecessary elements.
Production sound is synchronized with the picture, edited, sometimes rerecorded, and
mixed. Music is composed and added. Footage is color-corrected and special effects are
created. The final movie is output to tape, film, or some other high-quality media format.
Final Cut Pro or any other editing software is used in this step.

Step 5: Distribution

Distribution is when you release a movie for viewing. This may involve theater screenings, video and DVD releases, festival submissions, or web delivery.