FCP Export-Master or YouTube

Exporting a Master

A QuickTime master is a full-quality file which is the highest quality possible (the same format you edited in) which can be used to create other versions like web or DVD, and for archiving. Use in and out points to select the part of the timeline you want to export, or press option-x to clear them to export the whole thing. Make sure there are no stray clips at the end of the sequence which will cause you to export lots of empty black.

Make sure the timeline window is selected, then go to File > Export > QuickTime Movie.

Use the following settings:

• Setting: Current Settings
• Include: Audio and Video
• Markers: All Markers
• Uncheck Recompress All Frames
• Check Make Movie Self-Contained

To determine how much disk space you will need, use AJA DataCalc. This file is your master- the highest quality file possible, which you can use to create other versions. (via Compressor, iDVD, etc)

Note that other computers won’t be able to open this file unless they either have FCP installed, or the free ProRes Decoder plugin available from Apple’s website:
…For Mac
…For Windows

Other Formats

To make a quick DVD:

Go to File > Share and choose DVD. Check the “Burn to Disc” box. Requires FCP 7.

To make a YouTube (or Vimeo or Facebook etc) 1080p version (see below for standard definition instructions):

Go to File > Export > QuickTime Conversion.
Choose Format: QuickTime Movie and click the Options button

Click Settings

• Frame Rate: Current
• Key Frames: Automatic
• Encoding: Best quality (Multi-pass)
• Data Rate: Restrict to 20000 kbps (if you find this produces a file that’s too big, reduce this number in increments of ~5000. If the quality is too low, increase the number.)
• Optimized for: Download

Click Size

• Dimensions: HD 1920 x 1080 16:9
• Uncheck preserve aspect ratio and deinterlace source video

Click Sound

• Format: AAC
• Channels: Stereo LR
• Rate: 48.000 kHz
• Target Bit Rate: 192 kbps

Check Prepare for Internet Streaming-Fast Start
Click OK/Save. This will take some time (hours) to export.

To make a YouTube (or Vimeo or Facebook etc) SD version:

All the mainstream media websites support HD. However, if you shot/edited in SD, here are the settings to use.

Go to File > Export > QuickTime Conversion.
Choose Format: QuickTime Movie and click the Options button

Click Settings

• Frame Rate: Current
• Key Frames: Automatic
• Encoding: Best quality (Multi-pass)
• Data Rate: Restrict to 10000 kbps
• Optimized for: Download

Click Size

• Dimensions: 720 x 480
• Check preserve aspect ratio if your edit is anamorphic (DV widescreen)
• Uncheck deinterlace source video, unless the source is interlaced (ie DV)

Click Sound

• Format: AAC
• Channels: Stereo LR
• Rate: 48.000 kHz
• Target Bit Rate: 192 kbps

Check Prepare for Internet Streaming-Fast Start
Click OK/Save. This will take some time (hours) to export.