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Home: Video University Forums: Tech Q & A:
Quicktime to WM: best encoder?

 
 


alitv
Novice


Nov 24, 2008, 8:41 AM

Post #1 of 12 (2750 views)
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Quicktime to WM: best encoder? Can't Post
Any advice on how to successfully convert Quicktime (exported out of FCP) to WM?
I know there's lots of ways to do it...how's it worked best for you?


MLiebergot
Veteran


Nov 24, 2008, 9:25 AM

Post #2 of 12 (2748 views)
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Re: [alitv] Quicktime to WM: best encoder? [In reply to] Can't Post
There is a product from DVcreators called DVKitchen.
Don't let the cheesy name fool you.
It's a great program for converting your WMV/QT files to FLV H.264 videos, or QT to WMV, WMV to QT etc.

It's extremely easy to use and very intuitive.
And best of all it gives great encodes every time.

Michael

Cameras: (3) Sony FX1, Canon HV20
Audio: Marantz PMD620, Edirol R44, ZoomH4N, ZoomH2, Sennhesier G2
Mics: Rode NT5, Rode NT3, Rode M3, Rode NTG2, Shure SM57, AT822
Software: Sony Vegas, Final Cut Studio
Computer: MAC BABY! MacPro, MacBook Pro


alitv
Novice


Nov 24, 2008, 9:33 AM

Post #3 of 12 (2747 views)
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Re: [MLiebergot] Quicktime to WM: best encoder? [In reply to] Can't Post
Great! I will check it out! Thanks!


Kenneth
Veteran


Nov 26, 2008, 1:48 PM

Post #4 of 12 (2688 views)
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Re: [alitv] Quicktime to WM: best encoder? [In reply to] Can't Post
I find the best to be Flip4Mac



Philadelphia Wedding Video
The Kenneth Stillman Blog



MLiebergot
Veteran


Nov 26, 2008, 5:07 PM

Post #5 of 12 (2682 views)
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Re: [Kenneth] Quicktime to WM: best encoder? [In reply to] Can't Post
Quote
I find the best to be Flip4Mac
Sorry Ken have to disagree with ya there.

I have used Flip4MAC and have fond that my above mentioned DVKitchen does a better job at encoding QT to WMV files.


Michael

Cameras: (3) Sony FX1, Canon HV20
Audio: Marantz PMD620, Edirol R44, ZoomH4N, ZoomH2, Sennhesier G2
Mics: Rode NT5, Rode NT3, Rode M3, Rode NTG2, Shure SM57, AT822
Software: Sony Vegas, Final Cut Studio
Computer: MAC BABY! MacPro, MacBook Pro


Kenneth
Veteran


Nov 26, 2008, 5:53 PM

Post #6 of 12 (2679 views)
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Re: [MLiebergot] Quicktime to WM: best encoder? [In reply to] Can't Post
Michael, Just downloaded DV Kitchen because I am always looking for ways to improve our product. So I started my trial and tried encoding a video. I had a QT file and I tried to encode it for iPod. Here are my findings:

1. It was slow. Much slower than QT, which is the same engine that Flip4Mac uses.

2. It made the wrong file. I used a QT movie and wanted it converted to iPod and it made a file with a .mov extension. iPod won't play that!

3. Loss of detail. In the picture below is the Quicktime conversion on the left and DV Kitchen on the right. All you have to do is look at the guys hair to see how much detail has been loss. I like to crush the blacks but DV Kitchen did it way beyond my taste.

4. It changed the saturation. Wow, I really didn't expect it to do that. On the left are the natural skin tones that my camera recorded and on the right he looks like an Oompa Loompa.

5. Once setting for the whole batch. I thought I would like it when I saw it did batch encoding, but then I realized I couldn't change the settings for individual clips. In Quicktime I can cue them up one at a time and let them roll. It's admittedly a pain because it's a lot of clicking, but I encode my highlights at a bigger size and bitrate. QT will allow me to assign different settings for each clip. DV Kitchen does now.

I only used the trial so if there are some features in the purchased version that I am not aware of please let the original poster know.





Philadelphia Wedding Video
The Kenneth Stillman Blog



MLiebergot
Veteran


Nov 26, 2008, 6:02 PM

Post #7 of 12 (2676 views)
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Re: [Kenneth] Quicktime to WM: best encoder? [In reply to] Can't Post
Strange, I have been doing quite a bit of encoding with QT files from FCP into web ready .flv, .mov, and .wmv files, and I didn't notice ay drastic re encoding like yo experienced.

I d agree that it's not the fastest engine in the world, but I had been very happy with my results.

Here's an example of some of the encodes (The flv wil pay right away and the QT and WM files can be viwed by clicking n the name). This is hosted on my website, but it's for a client who will be posting files on their website as well as YouTube.

Testimonial

Keep in mind that these aren't the highest quality versions, as I had to sacrifice bandwidth issues for the companies website.

BTW, I found that the Qt file, of course, had the best encode. All of the files were encoded at the same bitrate and mono audio file.

Actually after looking at all 3 encodes they do vary a bit.
The Qt file held up the best. the flv file is softer, but also smaller in resolution and the wmv file is darker, which btw is normal of the crappy wmv codec.

Michael

Cameras: (3) Sony FX1, Canon HV20
Audio: Marantz PMD620, Edirol R44, ZoomH4N, ZoomH2, Sennhesier G2
Mics: Rode NT5, Rode NT3, Rode M3, Rode NTG2, Shure SM57, AT822
Software: Sony Vegas, Final Cut Studio
Computer: MAC BABY! MacPro, MacBook Pro

(This post was edited by MLiebergot on Nov 26, 2008, 6:06 PM)


Kenneth
Veteran


Nov 26, 2008, 6:09 PM

Post #8 of 12 (2673 views)
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Re: [MLiebergot] Quicktime to WM: best encoder? [In reply to] Can't Post
Interesting. Your videos don't seem to have the saturation or loss of detail issue that I have. I'll bet it has something to do with being the trial version.

But your videos do look great so I guess I have to agree that DV Kitchen will do a good job.

Maybe I will email the company and see if I am correct, because I do like your final results and might even switch myself if I can unravel the mystery of the Oompa Loompa. LOL



Philadelphia Wedding Video
The Kenneth Stillman Blog



MLiebergot
Veteran


Nov 26, 2008, 6:45 PM

Post #9 of 12 (2670 views)
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Re: [Kenneth] Quicktime to WM: best encoder? [In reply to] Can't Post
BTW, I thin that I did make some slight adjustments to the image and audio.
But it was difficult to find the right avenue to do so though. Manual adjustment encoding controls could be thought out better int he program. As they are kind of buried.

BTW, this testimonial and the actual interview was filmed with Sony FX1s.

Michael

Cameras: (3) Sony FX1, Canon HV20
Audio: Marantz PMD620, Edirol R44, ZoomH4N, ZoomH2, Sennhesier G2
Mics: Rode NT5, Rode NT3, Rode M3, Rode NTG2, Shure SM57, AT822
Software: Sony Vegas, Final Cut Studio
Computer: MAC BABY! MacPro, MacBook Pro


Kenneth
Veteran


Nov 26, 2008, 6:49 PM

Post #10 of 12 (2668 views)
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Re: [MLiebergot] Quicktime to WM: best encoder? [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
BTW, this testimonial and the actual interview was filmed with Sony FX1s.
That's why it looks so good. FX1's rock! CoolCoolCool



Philadelphia Wedding Video
The Kenneth Stillman Blog



MLiebergot
Veteran


Nov 26, 2008, 6:54 PM

Post #11 of 12 (2667 views)
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Re: [Kenneth] Quicktime to WM: best encoder? [In reply to] Can't Post
I knew that you would react that way. Wink

Michael

Cameras: (3) Sony FX1, Canon HV20
Audio: Marantz PMD620, Edirol R44, ZoomH4N, ZoomH2, Sennhesier G2
Mics: Rode NT5, Rode NT3, Rode M3, Rode NTG2, Shure SM57, AT822
Software: Sony Vegas, Final Cut Studio
Computer: MAC BABY! MacPro, MacBook Pro


Kenneth
Veteran


Nov 26, 2008, 7:00 PM

Post #12 of 12 (2665 views)
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Re: [MLiebergot] Quicktime to WM: best encoder? [In reply to] Can't Post
With all the hoopla surrounding the EX1 I don't even see that as a viable option. We do as many as 5 weddings per weekend. I can't even begin to comprehend how much that would cost me in SxS cards and then hard drive space,not to mention having to transfer data when I get home from a wedding. So if sticking with tapes is the way to go I might as well love my FX1's.

And I am getting old and stubborn so low lights are not an issue.If the hall don't turn up the lights on the dancefloor I just pull out the 10 watt on-cameras. I don't even give the clients a choice anymore. I just tell them its gonna happen. LOL



Philadelphia Wedding Video
The Kenneth Stillman Blog