I spend a lot of time each week compressing video and I've written a lot comparing compression speeds for both Apple Compressor and Adobe Media Encoder. With the release of Compressor 4.2 a couple of weeks ago, Apple touted the speed improvements in the new version. This week, I had the time to test some of these claims.
The big benefits of Compressor, in terms of speed, is that the newest version takes advantage of both GPU and hardware acceleration for H.264 files; both MPEG-4 and QuickTime. The YouTube default settings create QuickTime files using the H.264 codec.
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This is the first of three articles looking at Compressor 4.2 speeds – comparing speeds using the YouTube default settings on an iMac and MacBook Pro.
NOTE: I've written other articles looking at Apple Compressor 4.2 in more detail:
- This article compares video compression speed between a new Mac Pro, 21″ iMac and MacBook Pro using Apple Compressor 4.2.
- This article examines image quality in the latest version when compressing files using the H.264 codec.
- This article compares the compression speed of Adobe Media Encoder CC 2014 to Apple Compressor 4.2.
- This article compares the speed of Adobe Media Encoder CC 2015 to Adobe Media Encoder cc 2014.
- This article compares whether enabling multiple instances in Compressor speeds up compression on either a MacPro or an iMac.
Compressor 4.3.2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
HOLY SMOKES! The new version is FAST!
Speeds varied from 36 to 92% faster, depending upon codec. The new version of Compressor also takes advantage of the much faster speeds of SSD and Fusion drives to reduce compression times even further.
This speed differential can result in saving several HOURS of compression time when compressing longer-form media.
TEST GEAR
Compressor 4.1.2 was tested on a Late 2013 iMac, running OS X 10.10.2 (screen shot above). Note that the processor speed is 3.5 GHz.
I ran Compressor 4.2 on two different computers: a Late 2013 iMac, running OS X 10.10.3 (screen shot above). Note that the CPU and GPU are both slightly slower than the 27″ iMac; however both iMac use Fusion drives.
I also tested on a 2013 MacBook Pro, running OS X 10.10.3. It uses an internal SSD drive.
NOTE: I'm hoping to borrow a Mac Pro for a few days to test on that system, as well.
SPEEDS MATTER
The two iMacs are similar in speed; though not identical because 21″ iMacs don't offer the same components as 27″ iMacs. However, their speeds are generally comparable.
The MacBook Pro is slower than the iMacs, but what I discovered is that where you store your media can make a big difference in speed, allowing the MacBook Pro to compete with an iMac.
TEST MOVIES
Not to put too fine a point on it, but Compressor 4.1.2 is dog-slow when compressing H.264 movies. One-hour movies compressed for YouTube can take multiple hours. (This is the main reason I use Adobe Media Encoder for all my YouTube movies; it is light-years faster.)
For this article, I created a compression test suite of three movies – spanning three different frame sizes and three different codecs – with durations that ranged from five to 38 minutes. Smultron 11 text editor 11 1 4.
COMPRESSION SETTINGS
All files were compressed using the default Video Sharing Services (YouTube/Vimeo) settings of HD 720. This creates a 720p file.
RESULTS
Click the image to see a more detailed PDF of my speed test results.
I expected the new version to be faster. What I didn't expect was that speeds would also vary depending upon where you stored your media.
- XDCAM EX showed the fastest speed gains – almost 14 times faster than Compressor 4.1.2.
- Storing source files on a Fusion drive improved ProRes 422 compression times by almost 15%.
- The MacBook Pro was 15% slower than the 21″ iMac, proving that faster CPUs and GPUs make a difference in video compression.
Here's a detailed PDF containing my test results.
INTERESTING TRIVIA
I was also surprised by how much more efficiently Compressor was processing data. In this screen shot, the top stat shows that Compressor 4.1.2, with both application and data stored on a Fusion drive, was only accessing about 70 MB of data per second.
Compressor 4.2, with data and application also stored on a Fusion drive, is accessing data 3.5 times faster (264 MB/second), and using much more of the CPUs; 75% vs. 30% in the earlier version.
SUMMARY
Now that I've seen the kind of results we can get with default settings, I'm really looking forward to seeing how this translates into productivity when compressing files for local websites; as well as a speed test between Compressor and Media Encoder.
For now, though, I'm very impressed with how Apple has transformed Compressor into a speed machine.
Bookmark the permalink.Follow the recommendations below in the order in which they're listed until you've isolated or fixed your issue. Before proceeding, make sure to back up any custom Compressor settings and the version of Compressor that you're updating.
1. Restart your Mac
Restarting your Mac resets Compressor-related system resources. To restart your Mac, choose Apple menu () > Restart, then reopen Compressor and try to reproduce your issue.
2. Disconnect external devices
An incompatible or malfunctioning external device can sometimes cause issues with Compressor. To test external devices:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Disconnect all external devices other than your keyboard and mouse.
- Reset NVRAM. You only need to do this the first time you disconnect external devices.
- Open Compressor and attempt to reproduce your issue. If your issue no longer occurs, reconnect devices one at a time until you can reproduce your issue. Make sure to restart your Mac after reconnecting a device, if required by the device.
If the issue only occurs with a certain device connected, you might need to update or service the device. Contact the manufacturer for support.
3. Check documentation
Check Compressor Help to make sure Compressor is working as expected. You can search Compressor Help for key terms shown in alerts or error messages.
4. Check system requirements
Make sure your computer meets Compressor system requirements.
5. Make sure Compressor is up to date
Adobe muse cc 2017 1 0 821. Before updating Compressor, complete any active transcoding projects. Then, back up any custom Compressor settings and the version of Compressor that you're updating.
To make sure you're using the latest version of Compressor, choose Apple menu () > App Store, then click Updates in the toolbar. If an update is available, you can click the Update button to download and install it. Idatabase 6 1.
6. Verify installation of Pro Video Formats
7. Check media and device compatibility
Make sure you're using a compatible media format, device, and external storage device format. Contact the manufacturer of the device(s) for support. If a software update for the device is available, follow the manufacturer's instructions to update firmware for devices like cameras and external storage devices, or to update drivers for devices like interfaces.
8. Check software compatibility
If you're using third-party plug-ins or other software with Compressor, make sure it's compatible with your version of Compressor. Contact the developer for support. If an update is available, follow the developer's instructions to update the software. If updates aren't available, remove the plug-in using the method recommended by the developer until a compatible version is available.
9. Test in another user account
Open Compressor in another user account on your Mac. Logging in as another user can help you figure out if unexpected behavior is related to a specific user's settings or files.
10. Test in a new batch
Start a new batch using known-good media, which is media you've used successfully in other projects. If you can't reproduce the issue using known-good media, the issue might be related to the media in the affected batch. Obtain new copies of the media from the original source.
If you don't have known-good media available, you can create some using Final Cut Pro and Motion.
- In Final Cut Pro, use a placeholder and a sound effect from Final Cut Pro Additional Content, which you can then share to an Apple ProRes 422 Master File.
- In Motion, use Motion Supplemental Content and export it as a QuickTime movie.
11. Remove the Compressor folder
Try removing the Compressor folder to resolve the issue. Before removing Compressor, back up your custom Compressor settings, as follows:
- Go to Library/Application Support/Compressor/Settings/ in your home folder.
- Control-click the Settings folder, then choose Compress 'Settings.'
- Move the resulting .zip file to another location, such as the Desktop.
To remove the Compressor folder:
- In Compressor, choose Compressor > Preferences and then click My Computer.
- Make sure that 'Allow other computers to process batches on my computer' is turned off.
- Quit Compressor.
- In the Finder, hold down the Option key and choose Go > Library.
- From the Application Support folder, drag the Compressor folder to the Trash.
- Restart your Mac.
- Open Compressor.
- Return to Compressor preferences, turn 'Allow other computers to process batches on my computer' on, then close the preferences window.
12. Remove the Apple Qmaster folder
If you previously installed Compressor versions 3.5 or 4.0 – 4.0.7 on your Mac, you might have an Apple Qmaster folder, which you should remove.
For Compressor 4.0 – 4.0.7, do the following:
- Quit Compressor.
- In the Finder, hold down the Option key and choose Go > Library.
- From the Application Support folder, drag the Apple Qmaster folder to the Trash.
- Restart your Mac.
For Compressor 3.5, do the following:
- Quit Compressor.
- From the top level of your hard disk, open the Library folder, then open the Application Support Folder. Drag the Apple Qmaster folder to the Trash.
- Restart your Mac.
13. Reset Compressor preferences
Resetting preferences doesn't affect your projects or any media in your projects. However, any custom preference settings will be reset to their default settings.
Before resetting preferences, choose Compressor > Preferences and note any specific settings you've made. Then, back up your custom settings as follows:
- Go to Library/Application Support/Compressor/Settings/ in your home folder.
- Control-click the Settings folder, then choose Compress 'Settings.'
- Move the resulting .zip file to another location, such as the Desktop.
To reset preferences in Compressor 4.3 or later:
Compressor Aspera Ne9213e 3/4 Hp 220v 1f R22
- Restart your Mac.
- In Finder, hold down the Option key and choose Go > Library.
- From the Application Support folder, drag the Compressor folder to the Trash.
- Return to the Library folder and open the Preferences folder. Locate these two files:
- com.apple.Compressor.plist
- com.apple.Compressor.LSSharedFileList.plist
- Drag these files to the Trash.
- Restart your Mac.
- Try to reproduce the issue you were experiencing. If the issue no longer occurs, open Compressor preferences and reapply your custom settings. If necessary, restore your backed-up Settings folder.
Apple 4.3.2
14. Remove and reinstall Compressor
If your issue persists, remove and reinstall Compressor.
- In Finder, choose Applications from the Go menu.
- Locate Compressor and drag it to the Trash.
- Reinstall Compressor from the Mac App Store, or restore it from a backup. When you restore Compressor from a backup, you can either drag it from its storage location to your Applications folder or restore Compressor from a Time Machine backup.
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