Custom encoding settings

Gaussian Blur

The Gaussian Blur effect softens the image and eliminates noise. Adobe Media Encoder applies the Gaussian Blur effect as a pre-encoding task. This step minimizes the noise that the encoder would otherwise have to encode. It results in quicker encoding, smaller output file sizes, better image quality, and often an improvement in the display of motion. You can specify the direction of the blur. Select the Output tab to preview the results of this effect.

Blurriness

Controls the amount of blur. Higher numbers cause more blur. Drag the hot text, or type a number, to specify the amount of blur.

Blur Dimension

Controls the direction of the blur. Select either Horizontal And Vertical, Horizontal, or Vertical from the menu.

Video Codec or Codec

Specifies the codec used to encode the video. The codecs available depend on the format you choose.

Note: If you cannot find options that your hardware‑based codec provides, see the documentation provided by the hardware manufacturer. Some codecs included with video‑capture hardware require that you set compression options in their own dialog boxes.

Quality

Specifies video quality. Generally, higher values increase rendering time and file size. If available, drag the slider or type a value to affect the exported picture quality. Increasing quality above the original capture quality does not increase quality, but may result in longer rendering times.

Width or Frame Width

Specifies the width of the frame of the output file in pixels.

Height or Frame Height

Specifies the height of the frame of the output file in pixels.

Export As Sequence

For still-image formats, select this option to export a section of a sequence as a sequentially-numbered series of still-image files.

Frame Rate

Specifies the frame rate of the output file in frames per second. Some codecs support a specific set of frame rates. Increasing the frame rate may produce smoother motion (depending on the frame rate of the source clip, project, or sequence) but uses more disk space.

Depth

Specifies the color depth in bits per channel (bpc): the number of bits allocated per color channel. Options are 8 Bit, 16 Bit, 24 Bit, or 32 Bit.

Encode Alpha Channel

Enables encoding with alpha transparency, which lets you encode video with the background removed so you can overlay the subject of the video on top of other Flash content. Adobe Media Encoder supports alpha channel transparency using the following formats/codecs:

• FLV using the On2VP6 codec.

• QuickTime using Apple Animation or Apple None codecs at 32 bit color depth.

• Uncompressed Windows AVI with codec set to None at 32 bit color depth.

TV Standard

Conforms the output to the NTSC standard or PAL standard.

Field Order or Field Type

Specifies whether the output file will have progressive frames or interlaced fields, and if the latter, which field will be written first. Progressive is the correct setting for computer display and motion picture film. Choose Upper First or Lower First when exporting video for an interlaced medium, such as NTSC, or PAL.

Aspect or Pixel Aspect Ratio

Specifies pixel aspect ratio. Select one appropriate for the output type. When the pixel aspect ratio (displayed in parentheses) is 1.0, the output will have square pixels; all others will have rectangular pixels. Because computers generally display pixels as squares, content using non‑square pixel aspect ratios appear stretched when viewed on a computer but appear with the correct proportions when viewed on a video monitor.

Render At Maximum Depth

Specifies whether Adobe Media Encoder renders sequences containing high bit-depth assets at their full bit depth.

Bitrate Mode or Bitrate Encoding

Specifies whether the codec achieves a constant bitrate (CBR) or variable bitrate (VBR) in the exported file:

Constant

Compresses each frame in the source video to the fixed limit you specify, producing a file with a fixed data rate. Therefore, frames containing more complex data are compressed more, while less complex frames are compressed less.

Variable Constrained

Allows the exported file’s data rate to vary within a range you specify. Because a given amount of compression degrades the quality of a complex image more than it degrades the quality of a simple image, VBR encoding compresses complex frames less and compresses simple frames more.

Variable Unconstrained

Allows the exported file’s data rate to vary without limit.

CBR

Constant bitrate

VBR, 1 Pass

Variable bitrate, with the encoder making a single pass through the file from beginning to end. Single-pass encoding takes less time than dual-pass encoding, but doesn’t achieve the same quality in the output.

VBR, 2 Pass

Variable bitrate, with the encoder making two passes through the file, from beginning to end, and then from end to beginning. The second pass prolongs the process, but it ensures greater encoding efficiency, and often a higher quality output.

Note: When comparing CBR and VBR files of the same content and file size, you can make the following generalizations: A CBR file may play back more reliably over a wider range of systems, because a fixed data rate is less demanding on a media player and computer processor. However, a VBR file tends to have a higher image quality, because VBR tailors the amount of compression to the image content.

Bitrate

Specifies the number of megabits per second of playback for the encoded file. (This setting is available only if you select CBR as the Bitrate Encoding option.)

The following options appear only if you select VBR as the Bitrate Encoding option:

Encoding Passes

Specifies the number of times the encoder will analyze the clip before encoding. Multiple passes increase the time it takes to encode the file, but generally result in more efficient compression and higher image quality. (Adobe After Effects doesn’t support multiple encoding passes.)

Set Bitrate

Available only for the QuickTime format. Select to keep the bitrate of the output file constant.

Bitrate [kbps]

Available only for the QuickTime format. Select if you want to determine the bitrate. Then, drag the slider until the hot text displays the desired value.

Maximum Bitrate [Kbps]

Specifies the maximum bitrate you want the encoder to allow.

Average Video Bitrate [Kbps]

Specifies the average video bitrate you want the encoder to allow.

Target Bitrate [Mbps]

Specifies the average video bitrate you want the encoder to allow when encoding video using the H.264 video codec.

Peak Video Bitrate [Kbps]

Specifies the top bitrate you want the encoder to allow.

Minimum Bitrate

Specifies the minimum number of megabits per second of playback you want the encoder to allow. The minimum bitrate differs according to the format. For MPEG‑2‑DVD, the minimum bitrate must be at least 1.5 Mbps.

Allow Interlaced Processing

Select this option if the video content in the sequence is interlaced and you are exporting to a noninterlaced medium, such as motion picture film or progressive scan video. Deinterlacing can also make it easier to apply high‑quality effects in another program, such as After Effects. If the sequence content does not have fields, don’t select this option; instead select No Fields from the Fields option.

M Frames

Specifies the number of B frames (Bi‑directional frames) between consecutive I frames (Intra‑frames) and P frames (Predicted frames).

N Frames

Specifies the number of frames between I frames (Intra‑frames). This value must be a multiple of the M frames value.

Optimize Stills or Expand Stills

Select this option to use still images efficiently in exported video files. For example, if a still image has a duration of 2 seconds in a project set to 30 fps, Adobe Premiere Pro creates one 2‑second frame instead of 60 frames at 1/30 of a second each. Selecting this option can save disk space for sequences and clips containing still images. Deselect this option only if the exported video file exhibits playback problems when displaying the still images.

Keyframe Interval [Seconds] or Key Frame Distance (Frames)

Select and type the number of frames after which the codec will create a keyframe when exporting video.

Simple Profile

Available only when exporting in the FLV video format using the On2VP6 codec, selecting Simple Profile optimizes high-resolution video content that will be played back on older computers or other devices with limited memory and processing resources.

Undershoot [% target]

Available only when exporting in the FLV video format using the On2VP6 codec, this option lets you specify the percentage of the target data rate to shoot for so that additional data is available in the buffer to improve difficult sections.

Quality

Available only when exporting in the FLV format, this option lets you specify a balance between encoding quality and the time it takes Adobe Media Encoder to encode video.

Good

Strikes a balance between image quality and the amount of time it takes to encode video. This is the default value.

Best

Creates the best possible image quality, but will take substantially longer to encode video.

Speed

Specifies that the video be encoded as fast as possible, however, the image will be of lower quality. Recommended for video content used in testing deployments.

Closed GOP Every

Specifies the frequency of each Closed Group of Pictures (Closed GOP), which cannot reference frames outside of the closed GOP. A GOP consists of a sequence of I, B, and P frames. (This option is available if you choose MPEG‑1 or MPEG‑2 as the format.)

Automatic GOP Placement

When selected, sets the placement of Group of Pictures (GOP) automatically. (This option is available if you choose MPEG‑1 as the format.)

Note: MPEG‑1 and MPEG‑2 formats include numerous advanced options not listed here. In most cases, selecting a format or preset designed for your target output sets the appropriate options automatically. For detailed information on options not listed, consult the specifications for the MPEG‑1 (ISO/IEC 11172) and MPEG‑2 (ISO/IEC 13818) formats.

In the Export Settings dialog box, the options available in the Audio tab depend on the format you’ve specified. One or more of these options appear on the Audio tab:

Audio Codec or Codec

Specifies the codec used to encode the audio data. These options are some of the most commonly used codecs available through Adobe Media Encoder:

AAC (Advanced Audio Coding)

A high-quality encoding format supported by many mobile devices. This codec is the default for the H.264 format.

AAC+ Version 1

Uses spectral band replication (SBR) to enhance the compression efficiency in the frequency domain.

SBR is a technology that enhances audio codecs, especially at low bit rates and is based on harmonic redundancy in the frequency domain. The audio codec itself transmits the lower and mid-frequencies of the spectrum, while SBR replicates higher frequency content by transposing up harmonics from the lower and mid-frequencies at the decoder.

AAC+ Version 2

This version of the AAC codec couples SBR with Parametric Stereo (PS) to enhance the compression efficiency of stereo signals.

The AAC+ Version 2 bit stream is created by down-mixing the stereo audio signal to mono along with Parametric Stereo information used to describe the spatial intensity stereo generation and ambience regeneration at the decoder. By having the Parametric Stereo information coupled with the mono audio stream, the decoder can regenerate a faithful spatial approximation of the original stereo panorama using very low bitrates.

MainConcept MPEG Audio

A high-quality encoding format developed by MainConcept, and included with Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Soundbooth.

PCM (pulse-code modulation) Audio

An uncompressed encoding format. Files of this format tend to be larger than files of the other formats.

Audio Format

The file format used for storing encoded audio data. Some audio formats support only uncompressed audio, which has the highest quality, but uses more disk space. Some formats allow only one codec. Others allow you to choose from a list of supported codecs.

Sample Rate or Frequency

Choose a higher rate to increase the frequency at which audio is converted into discrete digital values, or sampled. Higher sample rates increase audio quality and file size; lower sample rates decrease quality and file size. However, setting the sample rate in the Export Settings dialog box higher than the sample rate of the audio source doesn’t increase quality. Setting a sample rate different from the sample rate of the source file, requires resampling, and additional processing time. You can avoid resampling by capturing audio at the same rate at which you want to export it.

Channels or Output Channels

Specify how many audio channels are in the exported file. If you choose fewer channels than are in the master track of a sequence or project, Adobe Media Encoder downmixes the audio.

Sample Type

Choose a higher bit depth to increase accuracy of audio samples. Higher bit depth can improve dynamic range and reduce distortion, especially if you add additional processing, such as filtering or resampling. Higher bit depths also increase processing time and file size; lower bit rates reduce processing time and file size. However, setting the bit depth in the Export Settings dialog box higher than the bit depth of the source audio doesn’t increase quality.

Audio Interleave

Specify how often audio information is inserted among the video frames in the exported file. See your capture card documentation for the recommended setting. A value of one frame means that when a frame is played back, the audio for the duration of that frame is loaded into RAM so that it can play until the next frame appears. If the audio breaks up when playing, adjust the interleave value. Increasing the value lets the computer store longer audio segments, and process them less often. However, higher interleave values require more RAM. Lowering the value can make playback smoother. Most hard disks operate best with a 1/2-second to 1‑second interleave value.

Setting the value to 0 disables Audio Interleave and speeds rendering time. Consider disabling Audio Interleave for projects containing assets with large pixel dimensions.

Bitrate [kbps]

Specifies the output bit rate of the audio. Generally, higher bit rates increase both quality and file size. This option is available for AAC, mp3, and FLV.

Note: Options not documented here are specific to the selected format. For detailed information, consult the specifications for the selected format.

The menu for the tab section of the Export Settings dialog box holds options for files exported from the Adobe Media Encoder. Click the panel menu icon to the right of the tabs to open the tabs section menu.

View full size graphic

The tab section menu

Use Preview Files

For use with Premiere Pro sequences only, when this option is selected, Adobe Media Encoder uses existing preview files for the parts of the sequence for which they are available.

Using existing preview files can make encoding much faster since Premiere Pro does not need calculate the effects transitions again. The disadvantage, however, is that there is only one compression cycle when the preview file is generated, and this can cause a slight quality video loss.

Use Maximum Render Quality

When this option is selected, Adobe Media Encoder renders the sequence with the greatest quality of motion. This option slows rendering substantially, and requires much available RAM. This option is not recommended for systems having the minimum RAM required.

Include Source XMP Metadata

When this option is selected, Adobe Media Encoder embeds any XMP metadata found in the source sequence into the rendered file.

High Bandwidth

For use with the Windows Media (.WMV) format, this option lets you specify the target Audience defined by the Audience export settings.

Add/Remove Audiences

Lets you add or remove audiences to create a multi-audience Windows Media (.WMV) video file.

File Info

Lists information on the settings used to encode an exported file.

In the Export Settings dialog box, selecting Windows Media (Windows only) as the format exposes the Audiences tab. The options on the Audiences tab allow you to output variations of a movie suited to different network speeds. The player software associated with the format detects and selects the most appropriate version to ensure smooth playback. Windows Media generates a single movie that contains variations for different connection speeds.

Compressed

Specifies that the codec you select in the Video tab is applied. Compressed is the default setting, and is appropriate for most users.

Uncompressed

Specifies that no compression is applied. Because this setting results in large files, it is not appropriate for most users.

The Others tab of the Export Settings dialog box allows you to upload the exported file to a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server that has storage space allocated for file sharing. FTP is a common method for transferring files over a network and is especially useful for sharing relatively large files using an Internet connection. The server’s administrator can provide you with the details for connecting to the server.

The Others tab includes the following options:

Server Name

Enter the DNS or IP address of the server on which the FTP site is located.

Port

Specify the number assigned to the FTP server’s command port, which is 21 by default.

Remote Directory

Enter the location on the FTP server to access, expressed as a file path.

User Login

Enter the user’s identity, as designated by the server’s administrator.

Password

Enter the password to a password-protected server.

Retries

Specify the number of attempts to contact the server if a connection isn’t established.

Send Local File To Recycle Bin (Windows) or Send Local File To Trash (Mac OS)

Deletes the local copy of the exported file once it’s been uploaded to the FTP server.

Test

Verifies the connection with the FTP server.

Export XMP metadata with a clip

If a clip contains metadata, you can export the clip metadata when you encode the clip.

1. In the Export Settings dialog box, click the Advanced Mode button , if necessary, to expose the options panels.

2. Click the panel menu button  to the right of the options panels to open the panel menu.

3. Select Include Source XMP Metadata.

Edit XMP metadata in a file before exporting

You can add metadata to a sequence or composition that can be exported when the sequence or composition is encoded.

1. In the Export Settings dialog box, click the Advanced Mode button , if the options panels are not already exposed.

2. Click the panel menu button  to the right of the options panels to open the panel menu.

3. Select File Info.

4. In the dialog box, type information into any of the metadata fields as needed, and click OK.

Append XMP metadata to a file before exporting

1. In the Export Settings dialog box, click the Advanced Mode button , if the options panels are not already exposed.

2. Click the panel menu button  to the right of the options panels to open the panel menu.

3. Select File Info.

4. In the File Info window, select the tab for the type of metadata you want to import.

5. (Optional) some tabs, such as the Description tab, contain a menu offering a selection of template metadata, such as various types of copyright data. Select the desired type.

6. Select Import from the menu next to the OK button, and, in the Import Options pop-up menu, select the desired option, and click OK.

7. Browse to the desired XMP file, select it, and click Open.

8. Click OK.