How do I make a .wmv movie... at DVinfo.net

Michelle Lewis · January 23rd, 2006, 02:43 PM

How do I make a .wmv movie if I am working with a Mac 10.4.3, FCP 5? I want my visitors to view clips in both Quicktime and Windows Media.

While I'm at it, what settings should I use to give the best quality, in the smallest size in both .mov and .wmv?

Zach Mull · January 25th, 2006, 08:40 PM

To export a WMV from FCP, you'll need a plug-in - a QuickTime export component to be exact. Either Flip4Mac (http://www.flip4mac.com/) or Popwire (http://www.popwire.com) would do it. But if you have access to a Windows machine - even an old one - I think you'll get much better results from that. Just export an AVI to use as an intermediate. Windows Media Encoder is free, and it produces much better and more reliable WMVs than either of the QT components. I edit in Final Cut, and I produce WMVs for our website using that method (well actually I use Squeeze 4, but WME works about the same without the ease of use).

For settings you'll have to do trial and error with your own material after determining which codecs will make your video compatible for your audience. There really aren't many options with Windows Media (WMV9 is it). For QuickTime, H.264 is the most efficient out right now, and I think enough people have QT7 now that it's safe to use. Always use 2-pass encoding if you're concerned about quality, and just experiment with the bitrate, framerate and other options until you find something you like. If you're exporting from FCP you can do a batch export so you don't have to tweak everything after each encode.

January 23rd, 2006, 02:43 PM	#1
Michelle Lewis Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 95	How do I make a .wmv movie... How do I make a .wmv movie if I am working with a Mac 10.4.3, FCP 5? I want my visitors to view clips in both Quicktime and Windows Media. While I'm at it, what settings should I use to give the best quality, in the smallest size in both .mov and .wmv?

January 25th, 2006, 08:40 PM	#2
Zach Mull Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 273	To export a WMV from FCP, you'll need a plug-in - a QuickTime export component to be exact. Either Flip4Mac (http://www.flip4mac.com/) or Popwire (http://www.popwire.com) would do it. But if you have access to a Windows machine - even an old one - I think you'll get much better results from that. Just export an AVI to use as an intermediate. Windows Media Encoder is free, and it produces much better and more reliable WMVs than either of the QT components. I edit in Final Cut, and I produce WMVs for our website using that method (well actually I use Squeeze 4, but WME works about the same without the ease of use). For settings you'll have to do trial and error with your own material after determining which codecs will make your video compatible for your audience. There really aren't many options with Windows Media (WMV9 is it). For QuickTime, H.264 is the most efficient out right now, and I think enough people have QT7 now that it's safe to use. Always use 2-pass encoding if you're concerned about quality, and just experiment with the bitrate, framerate and other options until you find something you like. If you're exporting from FCP you can do a batch export so you don't have to tweak everything after each encode.