MAC: Exporting to MPEG-2 (m2v): overcoming Snow Leopard issues

[laurashapiro]

Here's what I know:

1. Quicktime 10 doesn't have a Pro version, but you can install Quicktime 7 for Snow Leopard. This gets you all the Pro features (provided you previously purchased QT Pro).


2. All the export formats are available except MPEG-2, which is essential for submission to conventions.


3. The reason for this is that the QTMPEGExport.component does not come with QT 10/Snow Leopard. (Note: I'm not talking about the MPEG-2 Playback component. I have that.) Instead, all MPEG-2 exporting is supposed to happen from Compressor.


4. Supposedly, the way to re-acquire the QTMPEGExport.component is to reinstall DVD Studio Pro. I find I am unable to do so without reinstalling the entirety of Final Cut Studio, which I would like to avoid doing if possible as I am in the middle of a project.


5. I have successfully exported 4:3 files using Compressor. However, I have not figured out how to export a letterboxed 16:9 file (4:3 frame size for cons) using Compressor.

My questions:

1. Does anyone have a copy of the QTMPEGExport.component they could make available to me? If you have it, it should live in System/Library/Quicktime.


2. If not, can someone point me to or walk me through instructions for exporting a MPEG-2 file from Compressor that is letterboxed 16:9 footage (4:3 frame size)?

(Insert anti-upgrading rant here.)

Comments

[arduinna]

oo oo, I can! \o/ (This is my first time ever being able to help with a Mac vidding issue! *g*)

We had to do that for Pirate Song for Escapade, and it worked perfectly. And I had a fit of the smarts and actually sent an email to me and therienne about the method so I wouldn't forget. *g*

This is my email to self(ves):

Okay, to get the letterboxed version, I went with this site:

http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/understanding_16_9.html

This involves no interim exporting, and no new projects; you just
adjust the sequence itself, basically (well, a copy of the sequence.
for safety). So, steps:

1. In the browser window (with the bins), click on the sequence you
want to use. Right-click and select "duplicate". A copy of that
sequence will appear below it in the browser; rename that to what you
want and double-click it to open the sequence in the timeline (don't
drag it down onto an existing sequence!)

2. Click on the timeline and do cmd-a to select everything

3. Go up to Sequence -> Nest Items

4. In the dialog box that pops up, make sure it says NTSC 3:2 Sequence; hit okay

5. Down in the timeline, hold down the option key and double-click the
new sequence in the timeline to put it up in the Viewer.

6. In the Viewer, click the Motion tab, and look for Distort. Click
the arrow ("twirl it down").

7. Change the aspect ratio to -33%.

Voila, letterboxed video, in a 4:3 size.

Then just send to Compressor and make sure you pick 4:3 settings there.

~~

I couldn't believe it was that easy, but it really is. I haven't heard anything about Pirate Song looking distorted on the screen, so you should be all set if you do this. :)

[laurashapiro]

Thank you so much! I will definitely give this a try. I really appreciate the hand-holding. (: