Could someone explain to me video formats when using FCPX?

I've been using FCPX for a while, but i haven't had to work with exporting until recently. i ran into things like "Which format would you like to export this on?" and then it would list certain formats like DV, H.264, MPEG-2. Im not entirely sure what they mean.

also, when i was importing my project onto a DVD, it asked me about Pro-Res 422 (there were about 5 or 6 different ones) and i wasnt quite sure what those meant.

and another thing i ran into was transcoding, not quite sure what that meant either.

thanks everyone!

The "meaning" would make must people's head spin. They are names codecs, methods of compressing and decompressing files.

More important is to understand in what context you'd use them and why.

ProRes is a compression form that's close to visually lossless depending on which variant you use. It's a good mastering codec. It's also easy to play back in an NLE. The file sizes can be large.

H.264 is the most efficient codec around. There are a few different encoder "formulas" for creating this. Generally x264 is best, MainConcept is good, unfortunately Apple's is the leas efficient. Efficient means high quality with small file size. The downside is that these files are hard to playback. They're good for web though. Many Cameras use them to record because of their efficiency. Often people will transcode this to a ProRes variation for editing.

DV, a codec often used in DV and DVCPro cameras which has been eclipsed by either more efficient codecs or higher quality (but not efficient) codecs.

MPEG-2 used to make DVDs and also used in Broadcast delivery at times. It's an older codec but it still serves the purposes I mention. XDCAM also uses a variation on this.

Sorry for such a short response but you're asking a 20 page question. It ranks just short of "what's the meaning of life" in the extent of the answer I can give.

You really need to speak in terms of workflow context in order for it to have any useful meaning for most people.

Heck I could go on and on about H.264 profile and entropy encoding and mobile vs desktop playback compatibility as well as the uses in live streaming vs video on demand.

To expand on cseeman's comments, with which I agree, FCPX makes this process even easier for those that don't need to know exact settings needed for their exports. Simply SHARE to a DVD, YOUTUBE, etc., etc. As you grow more comfortable with the application and have time to experiment with outputting your projects, you'll find you can achieve better results by tweaking export settings thru compressor (and to some extent within FCPX).