Product Overview: Compressor (Apple)
Compressor is a powerful video and audio media compression and encoding application developed by Apple, designed to transcode media files into a wide range of popular device outputs and professional video and audio formats.
What Compressor Does
Compressor is primarily used to convert media files into various formats, making them compatible with different devices and platforms. It allows users to export video and audio content optimized for viewing on Apple devices, social media platforms, video-sharing websites, and professional distribution channels such as the iTunes Store.
Key Features and Functionality
Transcoding Capabilities
- Compressor can transcode media files into multiple formats, including H.264, HEVC (H.265), MPEG-4, QuickTime .mov, and more. It supports the conversion of files for standard-definition (SD), high-definition (HD), and 4K formats, as well as HDR (High Dynamic Range) video.
Built-in Presets and Destinations
- The application comes with built-in presets tailored for common media formats and destinations. These presets can be used to optimize output for playback on Apple devices, social media platforms like Facebook, Vimeo, and YouTube, and even for immersive 360° video and stereoscopic 3D video.
Customization Options
- Users can create custom presets and destinations to fit their specific transcoding workflows. This includes setting specific frame dimensions, applying video and audio filters, and defining job actions such as sending an email or running an Automator workflow after the file is transcoded.
Advanced Encoding and Export Options
- Compressor supports advanced encoding formats like HEVC for high-quality video with smaller file sizes. It also allows for the creation of MXF (Material eXchange Format) files using various compression types, and it supports fragmented MP4 (fMP4) files for HTTP live streaming (HLS).
Network and Performance Enhancements
- For enhanced performance, Compressor can distribute transcoding tasks across a network of shared computers, significantly reducing processing times. It is optimized for Mac Pro, utilizing up to 28 CPU cores, multiple GPUs, and the Afterburner card for improved decode performance of ProRes files.
Additional Features
- Compressor includes features such as watermark enhancements, automatic scaling of watermarks based on the frame size of the source material, and the ability to view HDR video in the preview window on supported displays like the Pro Display XDR.
- It also supports burning video and audio content to discs (DVD or Blu-ray), exporting audio and video podcasts, and submitting video content to the iTunes Store in various quality formats.
Integration and Workflow
- Compressor integrates seamlessly with other Apple professional video applications like Final Cut Pro and Motion, allowing users to transcode projects directly from these applications. It also features a Watch Folders function that automatically transcodes media files added to specially configured folders.
In summary, Compressor is an indispensable tool for media professionals, offering a robust set of features for transcoding, encoding, and exporting media files in a variety of formats, making it a versatile and powerful addition to any video and audio workflow.