Podcast Compression Techniques Richard Harrington - RHED Pixel www.rhedpixel.com www.photoshopforvideo.com www.rastervector.com
Purpose Help your podcasts sound (and look) their best. Learn effective compression techniques that produce compatible files. Learn to use modern tools that shrink your files with no perceivable loss of quality. Reduce download times, save costs, and deliver high-quality shows. Software solutions for both Mac and PC users will be demonstrated.
Available from Focal Press
Available from Peachpit Press
Podcasts Understanding Adobe Photoshop Digital Imaging Essentials Photoshop for Video Essentials for Digital Video Final Cut Help Training for Apple s Final Cut Studio
Websites Photoshop for Video Video and Motion Graphics Professionals Raster Vector Graphics Professionals and Enthusiasts
RHED Pixel Podcasting Experience
Podcasting Experience Podcasts Produced - Understanding Adobe Photoshop - Final Cut Help - Photoshop for Video - Secrets of Style with Kim Foley - Author Tips for Peachpit Press - Tech On the Road - Inside the Digital Media Classroom - Photoshop CS3 Sneak Peek
Podcasting Experience Podcasts Produced - On Software - On Security - On Open Source - On Microsoft - On Networking - Voices That Matter - College Now
Compression is a Science
Compression is a Science Lots of technology at work Cutting edge research Digital Rights Management Expensive Setup and Hosting Fortunes to be had
Compression is Common Sense
Compression is Common Sense Making copies Get it out there Few concepts to learn Fairly automated Value added service Speed up production
The Language
Architecture Global family or classification of a file Includes MPEG, QuickTime, Windows Media, AIFF The big picture.
Batch Processing A benefit of many compression utilities Set up several files to run Walk away and leave your computer working hard Key to making money
Bit Rate How much data per second there is in your file The higher the number, the larger the file Larger usually means more quality, but codec dependant
Channels Common will be the choice between stereo and mono Stereo files use two channels of audio data Mono use half the space Talking heads use mono
Compress Shrinking the file using mathematical algorithims Modern compression techniques are significantly more effective
Compressor/Decompressor The algorithm that allows for further shrinking of the files Some compressors cost additional money to the content creator Decompressors are usually free to improve market share
Encode To turn an analog source (such as audio waves) into a digital file This is also called capturing (or diging) by some.
Pixel Aspect Ratio Computer pixels are square Digital video pixels can be rectangular or nonsquare The video editing software or playback device compensates For computer playback you will need to manually resize Standard in Square Pixels 640 X 480 (720*.9) Widescreen in Square Pixels 864X480 (720*1.2)
Resolution Also called sample size Number of bits used to describe the analog data Audio CDs are usually 16-bit Newer DVD audio discs are frequently 24-bit Bigger is higher quality
Sampling Rate The number of samples captured per second Audio CDs are 44.1 khz Digital Video is 48 khz Bigger is higher quality
Variable Bit Rate (VBR) Compression One of the most effective ways to create smaller files Computer analyzes the file before compressing the data Encoding this way is far slower If you can, choose this method for superior results
Podcast Compression
Audio Podcast Compression Two choices for file types for ipod compatiblity.m4a.mp3
Video Podcast Compression Two choices for file types for ipod compatiblity MPEG-4 H.264 Other formats used include Flash Video Windows Media NOT true podcasting
MPEG-4 Specs Frame size 640 X 480 or 320 X 240 - Up to 2.5 Mbps - 30 frames per second - Simple Profile - Audio up to 160 kbps, 48 Khz, stereo
H.264 Specs Large Size - 640 x 480 - Up to 1.5 Mbps - 30 frames per second - Audio up to 160 kbps, 48 Khz, stereo Small Size 320 x 240 - Up to 768 kbps - 30 frames per second - Audio up to 160 kbps, 48 Khz, stereo
Apple TV Specs Apple TV can display H.264 video, up to 5mbps, 1280x720, 24 fps, Progressive Main Profile. Apple TV supports AAC-LC audio up to 320 Kbps. Input Output 640x480, 30fps 640x480, 30fps, 3mbps* 1280x720 24fps 1280x720, 24p 5mbps* 1280x720, 30fps 960x540, 30fps 4mbps* 1920x1080, 24fps 1280x720, 24fps 5mbps* 1920x1080, 30fps 960x540, 30fps 4mbps* 1080i up to 60fps 960x540, 30fps 4mbps*
Compression Advice Is there a need for multiple sizes? Balance data rate carefully Examine frame rate Audio quality can be reduced Always test on intended player - ipod 5G - Sony PSP - Zune - Desktop & Laptop - Mac and Windows
Mac Compression Tools QuickTime Pro Sorenson Squeeze Compressor Episode & Episode Pro discreet Cleaner Stomp Adobe Media Encoder
PC Compression Tools QuickTime Pro Sorenson Squeeze Procoder discreet Cleaner Adobe Media Encoder Flip Factory
More on Compression http://www.apple.com/itunes/store/ podcaststechspecs.html
5 Steps to Better Audio Compression
5 Steps to Better Audio Compression 1. Lower your sample rate 2. Choose the right use of channels 3. Choose the right codec 4. Don t use a conduit 5. Test it
10 Steps to Better Video Compression
10 Steps to Better Video Compression 1. De-interlace your video 2. Lower your audio standards 3. Shrink the window 4. Reshape the video 5. Restore the washed-out picture
10 Steps to Better Video Compression 6. Improve the Saturation 7. Frame Rate 8. Codecs 9. Don t use a Conduit 10. Test it
Essential Processes
Pre-Processing All Can Pre-Process May Use Different Names Different Interfaces Preview Filters
Video Image Issues Crop Image Size De-interlace Sharpen Adaptive Noise Reduction
Video Image Issues
Image Adjust Issues
Displayed Frames
Displayed Frames Set In-Point Set Out-Point Add Video Fades Add Audio Fades
General Advice Adjust Saturation Roll to the Red Restore Blacks Crop Blanking Check In and Out Points Use Fades
Tools to Try Out
Mac Compression Tools QuickTime Pro itunes Sorenson Squeeze Compressor Episode & Episode Pro discreet Cleaner
PC Compression Tools QuickTime Pro itunes Sorenson Squeeze Procoder discreet Cleaner FlipFactory
Selecting the Right Tool Budget Output Formats Speed Frequency of Updates Tech Support Batch Options
More on Compression http://www.apple.com/itunes/store/ podcaststechspecs.html
Show & Tell
Questions & Answers
Resources
Resources www.photoshopforvideo.com www.dv-forums.com www.creativecow.net www.focalpress.com www.peachpit.com www.layersmagazine.com www.rhedpixel.com
Available from Focal Press
Available from Peachpit Press
Available from VASST
Podcasts Understanding Adobe Photoshop Digital Imaging Essentials Photoshop for Video Essentials for Digital Video Final Cut Help Training for Apple s Final Cut Studio
Websites Photoshop for Video Video and Motion Graphics Professionals Raster Vector Graphics Professionals and Enthusiasts
Podcast Compression Techniques Richard Harrington - RHED Pixel www.rhedpixel.com www.photoshopforvideo.com www.rastervector.com
Podcast Compression Techniques Richard Harrington - RHED Pixel www.rhedpixel.com www.photoshopforvideo.com www.rastervector.com