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Encoding and Formatting Video For Your Magnify Site

Magnify.net provides powerful encoding in the cloud, creating a number of file types so that we can provide the proper video to desktop, iphone, android, and other mobile devices.

In this document, we offer a ‘how to’ guide for Compressor, Adobe Media Encoder, iMovie HD, and MPEG Streamclip.

Basic Encoding Guidelines

Since .MP4 is the most prominent file type that will be displayed to a user, we would recommend using the same file extension and codec as we do. In order to preserve quality of the videos that you are uploading we recommend following these basic steps:

• If filming in HD, scale the resolution down to 50% of the original in order to keep file size down (Ex. If you film in 1080i/1080p, you would encode to a resolution of 960 x 540)

• We accept a variety of frame rates and will standardize them to 30 Frames Per Second

• You can send us any variation of codecs and file containers and we will re-encode to the profiles I have listed above. However, if you are trying to keep quality as high as possible, it is best to keep the file formats and codecs to what we use alike, which in this case would be .mp4 file containers with a codec of h.264 for video and the AAC codec for audio. Using the same codec and file format will reduce the amount of information taken out of the video during our encoding process.

• Encode to a total bit rate of around 2 to 3 Mbps to keep quality high while keeping file size relatively low.

• Encode the audio to be 128 Kbps, you can go higher if you would like, but we will standardize it to 128 Kbps when delivering it.

• If you have long-form content that spans close to ten minutes and upward, it is best to cut that video up into smaller segments. We have found that users will become more engaged with shorter form content, and it makes it easier for the user to find a specific topic within that video.

• Use Varible Bitrate (VBR) as opposed to Constant Bitrate (CBR). What variable bitrate will do is increase the bitrate of the video only during sequences where there is a lot of action, keep the quality crisp, while lowering the bitrate during scenes that stay relatively low in motion, keeping file size low all-together. You should apply VBR to both the video and the audio codecs

Encoding with Compressor

• Open Final Cut Pro application with video
• Click File > Export > Using Compressor
• Click the Settings tab
• In the QuickTime? folder choose H.264
• Adjust all video, audio & geometry settings
• Once all fields have been adjusted click Save
• Drag the setting (H.264) file you had just edited and saved into your project module then click Submit

Encoding with Adobe Media Encoder CS5

• In the Adobe Media Encoder, add source video clips to the list of files to encode by clicking Add (File > Add) and selecting one or more files on your computer.
• Click Settings to adjust export, video, audio & multiplexer settings
• Click OK
• Click Start Queue

Encoding with iMovie HD

• Once your iMovie project is ready for export click Share > Export Using QuickTime?
• Click Options

Encoding with MPEG Streamclip

• Open MPEG Streamclip application
• Click File> Open File and choose a video to export
• Click File > Export to MPEG-4...
• Compression: H.264
• Quality: 50%, Multipass
• Sound: MPEG-4 ACC, Stereo, 48 kHz, 128kbps
• Frame Size: unscaled
• Frame Rate: 30, Deinterlace Video
• Field Dominance: Upper Field First
• Rotation: No
• Zoom: 100%
• When all fields are adjusted click, Make MP4 to export.

Q: “What about video encoding?”

Magnify tries to make adding video to your channel as easy as possible. We give users and channel owners the ability to upload content directly, discover content from over 20 video hosting sites using the Magnify Video Search and record and upload content using the webcam feature. Channel owners can upload up to 20 videos per week (50mb in size) and adding content from the Magnify Search has no limit. Channel owners have the ability to increase upload capacity using the Magnify Pro. 

For step by step instruction on adding video to your channel, please see our video tutorial.

Q: “What video formats can I upload?”

Magnify uses industry-leading encoding technology and supports a wide variety of file formats. Most files with the following file extensions are supported:

• .avi and .wmv Windows Media
• .mpeg and .mp4 MPEG format
• .mov Quicktime
• .flv Flash 7, 8, 9
  
• .3gp, .divx, .m4v, .qt, .rm, .vp6, .ogm
  
• .jpg, .jpeg, .gif, .png. .tiff, .bmp, .pict

Q: “What is the best format to upload a video in order to get the best quality video?”

If you are uploading a video in FLV format, we bypass the re-encoding process and serve the file exactly as it was sent to us. If you can not output files in FLV format, you can provide a high-quality video in another format and we will re-encode it to the FLV format. When doing so, you should choose a standard format such as H.263, H.264, WMV, or MPEG-4. Scale the video to 400x300 pixels. Then use the highest bit rate and quality settings that will still allow the final video to fit within your channel's file upload size limitations.

More Info

Frame Rate:
For most videos from the US, the frame rate will be 29.97, however, in Europe the FPS will be 25.  When exporting a video, make sure the Frame Rate option is set to “Current” and that will usually work.

Keyframing:
Every 30 seconds

Video size:
400x300 for Standard Definition

Deinterlace:
Make sure you deinterlace before uploading a video

Audio:
AAC or mp3 with a bit rate of 128 kbps