Compressor question

[laurenvictoria]

so i have compressor in fcp

do i use it to make files smaller for editing purposes

if so how do i do this

and i use a canon t2i and on tuesday im going to be using a mark 5d so idk if they are different files

 

[NickClapper]

I think a lot of people use Compressor to resize DSLR files and therefore cut down the amount of time you spend rendering stuff.

Personally I just import straight from the camera into FCP and then compress once that's done but I'm sure it's better practice to compress before hand.

I think the format of choice is ProRes and then a certain number but not sure which. Someone will enlighten you (and me )

 

[laurenvictoria]

thanks, yea ive never used it before so when i edit stuff they take FOREVER to render and i cant take it anymore hahah and on tuesday i'm filming a music video with the 5d and i want to get this figured out so i can edit quicker . hopefully someone will enlighten us

 

[knightly]

There is a process called an "offline" edit where you would take your high rez footage straight out of the camera and convert it (transcode) using compressor to a smaller file size (prores or even SD). You would then use the lower rez footage for the edit and "reconnect" the higher rez versions before exporting your final project.

This full rez export can then be pulled into Compressor for transcoding into any other format it offers. Included are standard SD, HD and High-end formats as well as web friendly formats such as mp4 which is also the preferred format for iPods and iPads.

 

[laurenvictoria]

uhh do you know any good youtube tutorials or something that teaches you how to do this because im lost...

 

[knightly]

To do which piece?
To transcode a clip, drag it into the compressor interface, select a target location for the output and select a format from the pulldown menu, hit go.

To do an offline edit, have a folder with both the High-rez and low-rez footage in it (preferably named similarly). When you first import your clips to edit with, use the low rez ones, then when finished, right-click on the clips and do a reconnect... but I just found this using my friend "Google" -- http://www.google.com/search?rls=en&q=final+cut+offline+workflow&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

According to the first link (creative cow), the "Media Manager" within final cut has all the tools you need without having to use compressor.