I'd like to get a thread going on the optimal settings within QuickTime and Apple Compressor for prepping an uploadable for use on YOUTUBE.

There seems to be videos on YOUTUBE that are clean and compressed with tender care, while others are sub par at best. Being that the YOUTUBE compression is the same for all uploaded videos, the trick has to be in the compression of the file you upload. I have my take on the best settings, and I will share them here, but I'd love to get some other posts from the vast experience out there. I think this will be a popular thread, and a valuable resource for all of us.

The last time I checked, YOUTUBE recommended that you prepare the footage with the following settings:

MPEG 4 (DivX, Xvid)
320 x 240 frame size
MP3 audio
30 fps
100 MB file limit
10 minute duration limit

Actually posted on You Tube today is this info:



So size is bit different from what you have, but I have a hunch that for NBC and others like the featured section where they have the Apple spots, there is some money changing hands so that they can upload videos at higher quality. The reason I believe this is that I have used TubeTV to rip some videos and once they are ripped there is definitely a different bit rate, and quality jump on those "Sponsored" or "paid" uploaders.

Bpitt

Can you post those specific settings here in this forum?

Those above settings do work, but I actually did some extensive research on this a few months ago because I had this client that had this beautiful HD show and wanted it up on YouTube. I used Compressor with the following settings and it was uploaded and accepted for play:

I created an H.264 setting with "settings based off the source resolution and frame-size".

The resulting QT was:
H.264
1360x768, Millions
AAC audio, Stereo, 48 kHz
Data rate was just over 4000.

A 3:11 min file was 98 MB. So if you have 10 mins, you will have to fudge with the settings, but you don't need to stick with SD files. The option that I find is the single most useful setting for increasing quality and keeping file size low (other than resolution size) is the "multi-pass" option as opposed to the "single-pass" option. You can check it under the Encoder/Video/Settings settings (right under the quality slider). I'd mess with this first and the data rate, keeping the resolution size as high as you possibly can.

Also, I had you use an alternate way to upload the file. It's called the "YouTube Uploader" for large files and multiple files and I think you need an account to use it. www.google.com/support/youtube/bin/answe...=en&answer=79983

After messing with a few settings, I found that there is a youtube uploader in iMovie *dodges flying rocks*, and it looks surprisingly good. It makes sense since youtube is largely a consumer product and iMovie is largely for consumers.



Here is a music test that Isaac, and editor that works with us did, and uploaded using iMovie. Make sure you click on the link that allows you to watch in "High Quality" mode.

I tried to embed the high quality version, but it didn't work. So double click and choose High Quality.

Just to clarify. the "upload to youtube" functionality is only available on the ilife '08 version of imovie.

back to ignoring this thread.