MPEG-2 export options in Final Cut Pro: Compressor and QuickTime

Background

The first versions of DVD Studio Pro included a simple MPEG-2 encoder, which was enabled by QuickTime, and allowed you to export DVD-compliant MPEG-2 video directly from Final Cut Pro. The QuickTime MPEG-2 encoder was capable of creating good quality MPEG-2 video, and it was designed to do its job quickly.

Later versions of DVD Studio Pro introduced Compressor. Instead of relying on the QuickTime export functions, Compressor is a standalone application in which converting and encoding video (and audio) are its central functions. Compressor offers numerous MPEG-2 creation options, and is capable of excellent quality output—far exceeding that provided by the QuickTime MPEG-2 encoder.

What's New

Because of the superior capabilities of Compressor, the QuickTime MPEG-2 encoder is superfluous and is not included with new installations of DVD Studio Pro 4 or Final Cut Studio. If you upgrade applications on a system that already has the QuickTime MPEG-2 encoder, the upgrade won't remove the encoder; it will still be available for applications that use QuickTime export options. With new installations, you can still export directly from Final Cut Pro to get MPEG-2 output, but you should choose Compressor instead of QuickTime as the export option.

Compressor offers numerous preconfigured encoding settings, and it allows you to configure and save your own presets for later selection. This allows you to begin encoding right away without having to spend time choosing encoding parameters.

Alternate Option for DVD Studio Pro

If you're planning to use DVD Studio Pro, you also have the option to import media that you haven't yet encoded as MPEG-2. DVD Studio Pro can take care of that for you. (Refer to DVD Studio Pro Help for more information on this feature.)

Compressor 2 is included with Final Cut Pro 5, DVD Studio Pro 4, Motion 2, and Final Cut Studio.