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Video/Movie Format Requirements & Recommendations

NOTE: Beginning December 31st, 2017, development of Studiocode and iCoda will stop and new licenses will not be available for purchase. Please consider Vosaic as a replacement. Read More.

There are two typical models for acquiring video that will be used in Studiocode. In each case, it's important to consider the video characteristics that affect the video quality, file size, and smoothness of playback when fast forwarding and rewinding. This goes beyond just the extension, such as ".mp4" or ".mov".

The following is a brief explanation of the two models of acquiring video, and some recommendations on the optimal video characteristic settings for Studiocode.

Model A. - Capture in Studiocode

Use Studiocode to capture (i.e. record) a live stream of video from a camcorder or similar device in real-time. If this is the model that you will be utilizing, the attributes of video listed in the table below can be optimized in the Studiocode software.

Very often, a third party device is necessary in order to connect a camcorder (or similar device) to the Mac, as well as to transcode the streaming video feed into a format that is optimal for Studiocode.

Model B. Using Previously Recorded Movie Files

Copy a movie file to the Mac that might have been acquired from a Camcorder, website, or any other source of video that yields a movie file. If this is the model that you will be utilizing, it is important to transcode the movie files into a standard format prior to using them in Studiocode.

Although the conversion process is possible in Studiocode or Quicktime, using a third party piece of software is often advantageous. Speak to your Studiocode representative for more information on conversion software and use the following table for guidelines on the conversion process.

Be aware that each movie file will react to a given set of conversion recommendations differently, so expect to do a little trial and error in order to find the optimal balance of video quality, file size, and smoothness of playback for your liking.

RequirementRecommendationGeneral Description
Resolution

? HD: 1280 x 720 or lower

? SD: 720 x 480

? All movies share same resolution

The higher the resolution, the better the quality, but larger the file size.
Frame rate? HD: 59.94 fps or lower? All movies share same frame rate The higher the frame rate, the more you can space your key frames out, but the larger the file size.
Codec? h264

? h264

? All movies share same codec

h264 codec is a good balance of quality vs. file size, and the most common and compatible with various types of devices/technology.
Key frames

? Dependent upon user

? If Frame rate = 59.94 fps, then try 15 (e.g. one key frame every 15 frames)

? If Frame rate = 29.97 fps, then try 6 (e.g. one key frame every 6 frames)

The more frequent the key frame, the smoother the FFW/REW, but the larger the file size.
Data/Bit rate? Dependent upon user? > 1000 kbps and < 2000 kbpsThe higher the bit rate, the better the quality, but the larger the file size.
Extension.mov, .mp4.movStudiocode can handle a number of file extensions, but it's best to be safe by using one of the documented extensions.

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