Video Compression for Web, Disc and PC/TV/Console Playback
Streaming Learning Center
Course Summary
This course will help you quickly and efficiently produce video for streaming distribution as well as for playback on a number of different platforms, including DVD/Blu-ray disc, iBooks, YouTube/Vimeo desktop playback and playback on consoles like Apple TV and Roku. The course provides: Basics on the fundamentals of compression and codecs
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Course Description
This course is designed for two types of users. If you're new to compression, you will learn how to produce high quality video for distributing over the web, watching on your computer or smart TV/console, for inserting into iBooks or to record onto DVDs and Blu-ray discs.
If you know the basics of compression, this course will serve as a valuable reference for questions that inevitably arise when encoding video, like what's the best key frame setting for web video (Lesson 5), what's the best way to work with x264 (Lesson 17) or how do I implement HTML5 (Lessons 31 & 33).
All lessons contain video, most integrating both PowerPoint instruction and screencam demos. All lessons longer than ten minutes are annotated so you can quickly find the content most important to you. Most lessons have links to other Internet-based resources.
This course has six major sections:
Terms and technologies (95 minutes) - provides an overview of codecs and compression, basic encoding configurations (resolution/frame rate/data rate) and then looks at configuration options like bitrate control (VBR, CBR), frame types (I-, B- and P-frames) and container formats. Then it looks at audio encoding parameters (sample rate/channels/data rate), deinterlacing and aspect ratio issues. The section concludes with a look at three free and essential tools, MediaInfo, Bitrate Viewer and MPEG Streamclip.
Codecs (52 minutes) - This section walks you through a brief history of codecs used in streaming, DVD and Blu-ray and cameras and intermediate codecs used in editing. Then three lessons introduce you to H.264, with a final lesson on using x264.
Encoding Recipes (62 minutes) - These lessons provide specific instruction for those producing video for uploading to UGC/OVP sites, for playing on mobile devices, for local or TV/console playback, for streaming from a web site, burning onto a DVD or Blu-ray disc or inserting into iBooks Author.
Encoding Programs (126 minutes) - All encoding programs have idiosyncrasies when it comes to producing streaming video. In these tutorials, for Apple Compressor 4.1, Adobe Media Encoder, Sorenson Squeeze, Telestream Episode and HandBrake, you'll learn these idiosyncrasies and learn to efficiently produce high quality video ideal for your target uses.
Distributing Your Web Video (34 minutes) - This section teaches you how to distribute your video over the web. First it outlines your distribution options, including user generated content sites, online video platforms or from your own website via HTML5. Then it provides focused tutorials that show you how to distribute with all three options.
Optimizing Your Source Videos (68 minutes) - You can't have high quality streaming video without high quality video. In these lessons, you'll learn to optimize your source footage in Premiere Pro, FCP 7 & X and to remove noise with the Neat Video filter. Then you'll learn to clean your audio in Audition, FCPX, and iZotope RX3, which produces the best quality of the three. The penultimate lesson discusses audio compression, a technique which can improve the clarity of your encoded audio, and the final lesson shows how to declip audio recorded too loudly.
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Course Syllabus
SECTION 1: TERMS AND TERMINOLOGY- Where Do You Want to Send Your Video Today?
- Codecs and Compression
- Basic File Configuration Options
- Bitrate Controls (Mastering VBR, CBR and CQ)
- Frame Types (I-Frames, B-Frames, and P-Frames, Oh My!)
- Container Formats and Related Concepts (and Why They Matter)
- Encoding Audio
- Mastering Deinterlacing (Avoiding those Nasty Jaggies)
- MediaInfo and Bitrate Viewer: Two Free Tools You Shouldn't Compress Without
- Trimming Without Reencoding with MPEG StreamClip (Another Free Tool)
SECTION 2: EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT CODECS BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK- A Brief History of Codecs
- Codecs in the Production Workfow-Capture, Intermediate and Distribution Codecs
- Introduction to H.264
- H.264 Profiles and Levels-Ensuring Compatibility With Your Target Players
- Advanced H.264 Parameters
- Working with x264
SECTION 3: ENCODING RECIPES- Encoding for Uploading to YouTube or other UGC/OVP sites
- encoding for Mobile Playback
- Encoding for Local Disk-Based Playback
- Encoding for Streaming
- Encoding for DVD
- Encoding for Blu-ray
- Encoding for iBooks Author
SECTION 4: OPTIMIZING ENCODING WITH YOUR ENCODER- Optimizing Output Quality with Apple Compressor 4.1
- Optimizing Encoding with Adobe Media Encoder
- Perfecting Your Encodings with Sorenson Squeeze
- Producing Top Quality Video with Telestream Episode
- Hanging Out with HandBrake
SECTION 5: DISTRIBUTING YOUR VIDEO OVER THE WEB- Exploring Your Distribution Alternatives; DIY, UGC or OVP
- Distributing to Mobile and Desktops via HTML5
- Uploading Files to and Embedding Files from UGC and OVP Sites
- Distributing via HTML5 and Squeeze - The Nuts and Bolts
SECTION 6: OPTIMIZING YOUR AUDIO/VIDEO SOURCE MATERIALS- Perfect Your Video Before Encoding in Adobe Premiere Pro CS6/CC
- Color and Brightness Adjustments in Final Cut Pro X
- Color and Brightness Adjustments in Final Cut Pro 7
- Remove Low Light Gain and Other Video Noise with the Neat Video FIlter
- Eliminate Clicks and Pops and Background Noise with Adobe Audit
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Recommended Background
None
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Course Format
Software demonstrations and PowerPoint with audio.
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Suggested Reading
Producing Streaming VIdeo for Multiple Screen Delivery, on Amazon