Final Cut Pro - Exporting Wide-screen Video to Streaming Format

Part 1: Final Cut Settings

Just to be sure, set your "Audio/Video Settings" to:

• Sequence Preset: "HDV - 720p30" or "HDV - 1080i60"
• Capture Preset: HDV

before you start editing your piece

When you have a new Sequence, select it by single clicking on it's icon and go to
Sequence in the menu bar and choose Sequence Settings from the drop-down menu.

Set the "Frame Size" (in the dialog box that appears) to something widescreen that corresponds to your previously adjusted A/V Settings as mentioned above. That will be something that says "16:9" next to it. That is called an aspect ratio that differentiates it from regular TV aspect ratio of "4:3".

So for instance, if you previously set your Sequence Preset to HDV - 720p30, use "HDTV 720p(16:9)" for the Frame Size, or maybe use "HD (960x720)(16:9)". Just play with the settings using small test clips until you get something that looks like you want it to look.

Then, in the same dialog box, set "Pixel Aspect Ratio" to something small that is still 16:9 (e.g. HD (960x720)). It doesn't need to be too big because we are going to output to web-friendly, streaming video. We just want it to look stylized like the letterbox style movies available on home DVD.

Again, in the same dialog box, under "QuickTime Video Settings", the Compressor type can be adjusted how you see fit. It starts set at the initial settings you have been using up to this point. It's likely best to just leave it alone, as it doesn't really figure in to the mix right now. It is a good idea, however, to take the "Audio Settings" in the area next to QT Settings and drop the rate down to "41 kHz" as this file is not intended for a DVD medium (which makes use of the higher audio sampling rate).

Now click the "OK" button.