Exporting mp4 videos using Final Cut & Apple Compressor - 2024 Guide

Introduction

Exporting videos from Final Cut Pro can sometimes be tricky, especially if you need MP4 formats. Often, your default options are either Apple ProRes or H264. While the H264 option is essentially the same as an MP4, it comes packaged in a .mov file by Final Cut.

Moreover, you can't change the bit rate of these presets, meaning you have no control over the file size—it will be what it is. Here’s an example: an H264 file from Final Cut looks great and has a bit rate of around 50 megabits per second. This ensures that your video looks good, but it can be on the higher side in terms of file size.

If you explicitly need an MP4 file or want to adjust your bit rate to balance file size and image quality better, you need to utilize Compressor. Compressor offers a myriad of built-in presets, but none of them output MP4 files. Thus, we’ll create our own.

First, navigate to create a preset and choose MPEG4 as the format. This will create an H264 export just like in Final Cut Pro, but as an MP4 file. Additionally, you can manually adjust all settings, including the bit rate.

If you're curious about bit rates, Google officially recommends specific ranges for YouTube videos. For those wanting a deeper dive into Compressor, there’s a full guide on all the key features available on my channel; the link is in the description.

When making a preset, you can adjust all settings as needed. For this guide, we'll only adjust the bit rate. With that, you can now export MP4 files directly in Compressor or import this preset into Final Cut Pro.

To add presets in Final Cut Pro, go to your export menu, choose "Add Destination," then double-click "Compressor Presets" and choose your preset. Now you can export MP4 files directly from the drop-down menu.

As evident, the slight adjustment in bit rate saved about 100 MB in file size. That’s how you export MP4 from Final Cut Pro.

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Keyword Section

• Final Cut Pro
• Apple Compressor
• MP4 export
• H264 file
• MPEG4 format
• Bitrate adjustment
• File size optimization
• YouTube video bit rates
• Video export presets
• Custom presets

FAQ

Q1: Can I export MP4 files directly from Final Cut Pro?

A: Directly, no, as Final Cut Pro exports H264 files packaged into .mov files. You need to use Compressor to create a preset for MP4 exports.

Q2: Can I change the bit rate of video exports in Final Cut Pro?

A: No, you cannot adjust the bit rate in Final Cut Pro’s default export presets. You need to use Compressor to customize the bit rate.

Q3: How can I create an MP4 preset in Compressor?

A: In Compressor, click to create a new preset, choose MPEG4 as the format, then manually adjust settings, including the bit rate.

Q4: What are the recommended bit rates for YouTube videos?

A: Google recommends specific bit rates based on video resolution and frame rates, which can be found in their official guidelines.

Q5: How do I import custom Compressor presets into Final Cut Pro?

A: In Final Cut Pro, go to the export menu, choose "Add Destination," double-click "Compressor Presets," and select your custom preset.