The Media Lab recommends that you export your video files in the Windows Media format as the resulting WMV files will work in PowerPoint presentations as well as the Windows Media player. For HD video footage or for special situations please talk to a lab proctor for codec recommendaions.

Note: This content has been adapted from the Flip4Mac support site.

 

Exporting Windows Media

If you have upgraded to Flip4Mac WMV Studio, Studio Pro or Studio Pro HD you can create Windows Media files directly from supported QuickTime applications. In most QuickTime applications, choosing the Export command will display a dialog similar to the one shown below:

To export a Windows Media file from a QuickTime application:

1. Select Movie to Windows Media from the Export pop-up list.

2. Enter a name for the Windows Media file in the Save As field. By convention, you should use the .wmv extension for video files and .wma for audio files.

3. Select an encoding profile from the Use pop-up list. See Encoder Profiles for more information.

4. Click Options to view or change the current settings. See Export Settings for more information.

QuickTime Player

Choose File menu > Export to display the Save exported file as… dialog.

Note: You must have QuickTime Pro to use the export option in QuickTime Player.

Final Cut Pro HD and Final Cut Express HD

Choose File menu > Export > Using QuickTime Conversion to display the Save... dialog.

iMovie HD

1. Choose File menu > Share and click the QuickTime icon at the top of the dialog.

2. Select “Expert Settings” from the Compress movie for pop-up list.

3. Click Share to display the Save exported file as… dialog.

Export Settings

When you export a Windows Media file you can click Options to display the Flip4Mac WMV Export Settings dialog. This dialog allows you to view the current export settings or change them by selecting a different profile.

If you have upgraded to Flip4Mac WMV Studio Pro or Studio Pro HD you can change individual encoder settings and save those changes in a new profile. See Encoder Profiles on page 19 for more information.

Video Encoder Settings

Use the Video settings panel to control how the video track is encoded.

Note: The video settings panel is disabled if your source media does not contain a video track.

Click "Profiles" to select, create or modify an encoding profile.

Click "Advanced"  to view or change the advanced video settings.

Export using: When checked the video track is encoded using the selected video codec. If unchecked the Windows Media file will not contain a video stream.

Coding Method. For constant bit rate (CBR) encoding you enter the desired bit rate and the encoder dynamically adjusts the quality to maintain that bit rate. The encoder maintains the bit rate by adjusting the quality of each frame or by dropping frames completely. The quality setting emphasizes which method the encoder should use. Smoother quality produces better motion, but potentially reduces the quality of each frame. Sharper quality produces better images, but potentially drops more frames.

For variable bit rate (VBR) encoding you set the desired quality. During encoding the bit rate will vary based on the size, frame rate, and complexity of each frame.

Frame Format. Determines the width, height and frame rate of the encoded video track.

Complexity. This setting controls the effort used to identify areas of similarity between consecutive frames. Live modes apply less effort and may sacrifice image quality for encoding speed. Offline modes apply more effort and are slower but produce the best image quality.

Key frame every. Specifies the maximum interval allowed between successive key (I) frames.

Buffer Delay. Specifies the duration of the delay buffer used for bit rate control. Longer delays can produce better overall quality at the expense of larger fluctuations in the bit rate.

B Frame Distance Delay. The Windows Media video codec employs intra (I), predictive (P) and bidirectional

(B) coded frames. This value specified the number of B frames to insert between successive I or P frames.

Frame Format. Specifies the format of the source video track and the desired format of the encoded video stream. The encoder uses this information to optimize the conversion between interlaced and progressive formats.

 

Audio Encoder Settings

Use the Audio settings panel to control how the audio track is encoded.

Note: The audio settings panel is disabled if your source media does not contain an audio track.

Click "Profiles" to select, create or modify an encoding profile.

Click "Advanced"  to view or change the advanced video settings.

Export using. When checked the audio track is encoded using the selected audio codec. If unchecked the Windows Media file will not contain an audio stream.

Coding Method. For constant bit rate (CBR) encoding you select the audio format (sample rate and number of channels) and the desired bit rate. The encoder converts the track to that format and dynamically adjusts the quality to maintain the selected bit rate.

For variable bit rate (VBR) encoding you select the audio format and desired quality. During encoding the bit rate will vary based on the complexity of the audio content.

Buffer Delay. Specifies the duration of the delay buffer used for bit rate control. Longer delays can produce better overall quality at the expense of larger fluctuations in the bit rate.

 

Content Settings

Use the Content settings panel to provide optional metadata. This information is stored in the Windows Media file and displayed by most Windows Media players.

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