I first wrote this article to work-around a bug in Final Cut Pro X. But, Apple fixed the bug. Now, this is a step-by-step guide to importing chapter markers into Apple Compressor, which is useful for media created outside of Final Cut Pro X.
You exported your video file only to find that it is WAAAY too big! Here’s an explanation of file sizes, codecs and media workflow for beginners.
In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan discusses the impact of video frame size, frame rate and codec on storage capacity and video editing, whether you use Adobe Premiere Pro or Apple Final Cut Pro X.
In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan explains why converting video frame rates often causes video playback to stutter, whether you use Adobe Premiere Pro or Apple Final Cut Pro X.
In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan explains why H.264 and HEVC media are considered inefficient for video editing, whether you use Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro X.
Apple Compressor 4.4.7 now supports creating a wider range of proxy files. This illustrated tutorial explains what you need to know, how it works and which to choose.
One of the headline features in the 10.4.9 update to Final Cut Pro X is a number of improvements to proxy editing. Here’s an illustrated tutorial on what they are and how they work.
Apple released a flood of small changes with the 10.4.9 update to Final Cut Pro X that didn’t get a whole lot of press. Let me take you behind-the-scenes in this illustrated tutorial to explore these smaller gems.
This is a system to speed exporting Premiere Pro projects for one or more editors using two computers, Adobe Media Encoder and Watch Folders.
A detailed, illustrated workflow on how Larry Jordan creates his weekly webinars from pre-production through to post. This includes software, settings, tips and tricks.
Proxy files simplify working with video files. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to create and use them in Apple Final Cut Pro X.
An illustrated tutorial on how to create a highly-compressed HEVC movie with transparency (alpha channels) using either the macOS or Apple Compressor.
Burning Blu-ray Discs is possible on a Mac, but bugs in Apple Final Cut Pro X make creating Blu-rays harder than it should be. Read the workarounds here.
A detailed look at video compression speeds in both Mojave and Catalina for both Apple Compressor and Adobe Media Encoder. Cool charts are included.
A video compression speed and file size comparison using Apple Compressor between macOS Mojave and Catalina. This will be of interest to video editors and media creators.
Smart Rendering is a media optimization strategy that speeds renders and exports in Adobe Premiere Pro CC. This explains what you need to know.
A general analysis of when to use H.264 vs. HEVC for media compression, along with a recommendation for media creators.
A detailed look at the speed differences between a Mac i5 vs i7 system for video compression into H.264 or HEVC codecs. The results are surprising!
Lesspain Software update Kyno to version 1.7.1, which now supports Windows, as well as finding and converting older media that is not compatible with macOS Catalina. Here are more details.
Apple released the latest version of Compressor (4.4.5) last Monday. One of the key features in the update was improved performance. Since all of us rely on compression to deliver our final projects, I wanted to see how much improvement …
Apple updates Final Cut Pro X, Motion and Compressor to support the 2019 Mac Pro. Here are the details.
A quick look at DVD Creator from Wondershare, and a conversation with Wondershare about the specific features in the software for filmmakers.
An explanation of when to use, or not use, “Maximum Bit Depth” and “Maximum Render Quality” in Adobe Premiere Pro CC.
An unpublished HDR compression guide from Adobe on how to export HDR media from Adobe Premiere Pro CC.
Mark Bashian, Creative Director for Bash Films, recently sent me these results of his performance testing. Since all of us are trying to figure out how to make the most of our computer gear, I found his tests to be …
A step-by-step illustrated tutorial on how to create, automate and access proxy media files in Adobe Premiere Pro CC (2018 or later).
Adobe Premiere Pro CC does not include any Apple ProRes sequence presets.. yet. Here’s how to create them. (Updated March, 2020, with new advice throughout.)
How to create ProRes transcoding settings in Adobe Media Encoder – both old and new versions.
An illustrated tutorial on how to create a new poster frame for most movies using the Finder and Apple Compressor.
An illustrated and detailed tour of how the Digital Production Buzz will produce and webcast 27 live shows in 3.5 days direct from the 2019 NAB trade show floor.
An illustrated tutorial on how to convert 32-bit (or any) media to make it more future-proof using Apple Compressor; plus a description of missing features that are still needed.
Yesterday, Apple issued a mostly minor maintenance update to Final Cut, Motion, Compressor and iMovie with one big feature that is worth discussing. The new feature is that any of these three applications will now automatically detect media which will …
In this short video excerpt, Larry Jordan shows how to create Watch Folders in Adobe Media Encoder that can be accessed by multiple computers and a shared server to simplify video compression.
An illustrated, in-depth review of Edit Ready, from divergent media. This Mac-only utility easily convert audio or video media from one format to another.
Apple Compressor is essential to media compression. But what makes it faster? In this series of tests, discover how RAM, storage, and preference settings can make a difference – or slow things down.
An illustrated tutorial on how to automate media compression using Apple Compressor and Droplets.
An illustrated, detailed tutorial on how to create Watch Folders in Adobe Media Encoder, with a special emphasis on using them to monitor media stored on a server.
A step-by-step guide on how to set up a media compression network using Apple Compressor and one or more Macs. (This is an ideal way to speed compression using Mac minis.)
A detailed comparison of compression speed and resulting file sizes for a variety of media compressed using Apple Compressor, Adobe Media Encoder and ffWorks/ffMPEG
A detailed series of tests comparing video compression speed using a high-end iMac vs. a new Mac mini running a variety of software. The results are surprising.
A detailed look at the new, 2018, Mac mini with an emphasis on video editing. We look at speeds, but, more importantly, we look at real-world results.
The changes in Premiere in this update are both pervasive and powerful; the new color tools in Premiere are especially welcome. This article illustrates all the new features in Adobe Premiere Pro for 2019.
A detailed, practical look at working with HDR media in Apple Final Cut Pro X (v.10.4). Guest article written by James Duke.
ff-Works is a front-end to ffMPEG, a highly-regarded, open-source compression engine. When you combine ff-Works with ffMPEG, you get a very powerful, very flexible, very high quality media transcoding/compression tool. In this short video excerpt, Larry Jordan illustrates how to customize audio and video compression settings.
ff-Works is a front-end to ffMPEG, a highly-regarded, open-source compression engine. When you combine ff-Works with ffMPEG, you get a very powerful, very flexible, very high quality media transcoding/compression tool. In this short video excerpt, Larry Jordan shows how to customize audio and video compression settings.
An in-depth review and tutorial of ff-Works, from OSBytes, for audio and video compression.
In this short video excerpt, Larry Jordan shows how to use Apple Compressor to crop and pad video images; for example, to convert between aspect ratios.
In this short video excerpt, Larry Jordan explains how to use Apple Compressor to convert video frame rates and illustrates why this may, or may not, be a good idea.
A step-by-step tutorial to extracting a shorter video clip from a longer one, using Adobe Media Encoder; along with the ability to either transcode the new clip or match the settings of the source file.
A step-by-step tutorial on how to extract a short video clip from a longer one – and either transcoding to a new codec or matching the existing source – in Apple Compressor.
