For best results, Simian recommends the following settings for encoding video for the web. This example uses QuickTime Pro 7, however, other encoding applications may be used. Source Files Start with the highest resolution source files available. This will ensure that you get the best possible quality of compression. Recommended Settings To encode a source file using QuickTime Pro 7, first open the file in QuickTime Pro 7, then from the application menu select File, then Export. To export to a.mov file, set the Export selection to Movie to QuickTime Movie. Next, click on the Options button to set your encoding settings. Simian Support: T 310.736.1376 support@gosimian.com http://www.gosimian.com 1
Under the Video section, click on the Settings button. Simian Support: T 310.736.1376 support@gosimian.com http://www.gosimian.com 2
Match your settings to the screen shot above. We recommend using H.264 as the compression type as this is the latest standard and offers the best quality to size ratio. For optimal web streaming to all audiences, Simian does not recommend data rates above 1,300 KB. To ensure that you reach this target value, make sure to set the Data Rate selection to Restrict to and set the value to 1200 or less. The reason we make this setting lower than 1300 is because even though you are setting a manual data rate, the file still comes out around 100 to 200 KB higher then the manual setting you selected. Please make sure to check your files after they have finished encoding to make sure your file came out with an acceptable data rate. Some high quality source files might require you to set the manual rate less than 1200. We recommend making adjustments in 100 KB increments until you are able to hit your target value. When all settings are adjusted, click on the OK button to return to the main settings page. This time under the Video section, click on the Size button. Set the Dimensions selection to Custom and then manually enter the dimensions you want to use for your video. You can make your video any size you want and Simian will NOT alter this selection in any way, it will play the video at the exact dimension that you encode your video to. What you want to take into account is the size of the screen that your client might be viewing the media on. Just because it fits on your nice 27 monitor, Simian Support: T 310.736.1376 support@gosimian.com http://www.gosimian.com 3
it does not mean that it will fit for someone that is viewing this from a 15 laptop screen. The two most common sizes we have seen used by our clients is 640x480 for a 4:3 aspect ratio, and 640x360 for a 16:9 aspect ratio. The setting for Preserve aspect ratio using: is only necessary if you are encoding the file to an aspect ratio other then the original. If you are going to a different aspect ratio, then we recommend selecting Letterbox in the drop down selection. The Crop and Fir within dimensions settings often cause a conflict in the meta data and therefore may not display at your intended size in Simian. Make sure to select the option for Deinterlace Source Video to help prevent interlacing. Click on the OK button to return to the main settings page. Simian Support: T 310.736.1376 support@gosimian.com http://www.gosimian.com 4
Now under the Sound section, click on the Settings button. Match your settings to the screen shot above. Click on the OK button to return to the main settings page. (Scroll down to next page) Simian Support: T 310.736.1376 support@gosimian.com http://www.gosimian.com 5
Now make sure you select the check box for Prepare for Internet Streaming. In the drop down, select Fast Start - Compressed Headers. This will enable the fast start option allowing your video to play right away. Failure to enable this option will result in your client having to download the entire video before it will start to play. Click on the OK button to return to the Export page. (Scroll down to next page) Simian Support: T 310.736.1376 support@gosimian.com http://www.gosimian.com 6
In the Save As box, enter the file name you want to save the file as, then select the drive and directory that you want to save the file to. Now click on the Save button and the encoding process will begin. Once the file has finished encoding, it is recommended that you open the new version of the file to ensure that the data rate came out at the proper value. To check this, open the file in QuickTime Pro 7 and then under the QuickTime menu, select Window, then select Show Movie Inspector. A new box will open to display the Movie Inspector data. Check the value for Data Rate and make sure you have a value of 1300 kbits /s or less. If your data rate is within range, then your file is ready to be uploaded to your Simian account. Simian Support: T 310.736.1376 support@gosimian.com http://www.gosimian.com 7