IGTV Settings. Need more customization features.

For those who may be testing/ using the IGTV platform, what are your strategies for exporting. Unfortunately I cannot get Compressor to let me conform to IGTV formats. The only option I have right now is to create a custom- sized timeline with frame rate, copy/paste my original timeline into the IGTV formatted one, then export directly from FCP X using the "Computer" preset. The good thing about copy/pasting is that by default FCP X will automatically fit your content into the new frame size; noted in the spatial conform setting of the inspector.

I discovered some things along the way though: When copy/pasting content from one timeline to a custom sized IGTV timeline in FCP X:

1. Text generators don’t always format correctly. May require reformatting and repositioning.
2. Transitions don’t always play correctly; i.e. slides and flashes.
3. Animated images or video may not display properly- going beyond the 9:16 ratio for instance.
4. May require converting the timeline into a compound clip and applying a mask (or cropping) to constrain images from going beyond the frame ratio borders.

I attempted to create a custom export setting in FCP X, but FCP X doesn't support setting up custom export frame sizes in the share window.


... timeline = storyline

Thanks for the info above, definitely something to keep in mind, particularly as I work for a social media company so we're always having to stay on top of trends and flex our workflows.

I just did a quick test and you can create a custom Compressor Setting to whatever dimensions you want, it's a little finicky so you'll have to play around, but once you've got it set you can then either use that as your preset when sending to Compressor, or if you prefer to export directly in FCPX, just add it as an export option by using Compressor Settings and choosing your preset in the Share menu. Best of luck!

Doug, please elaborate on how you did this. I've created several custom settings, and none of them exported the way they should- meaning:

1920x1080@ 23.98 fps out of FCP X transcoded to 1080x1920@30 fps with that 16x9 original ration maintained in the center of the IGTV 1080x1920. All of my tests, things have come out wonky.

You're correct, that you can customize the frame size in compressor, but I've yet to get any combination of settings to yield what I want which is basically getting Compressor to work like the "fit" spatial conform in FCP X.

Hi Tangierc, I think I misunderstood what you were looking to do. If it's just a FCPX to Compressor workflow, you can just create your project in FCPX at 1080x1920 and then send to Compressor using the preset you've created and it will output a 1080x1920 video ready for IGTV. That will also give you the ability to make sure that everything is framed properly for the crop. I didn't realize you wanted to bypass FCPX and just drop content into Compressor and have it 'fill' the frame. I'm not sure that's possible.
If you come across anything I'd love to know. Cheers!

Thanks Doug. I've tried that already as well before I posted. In theory it sounds like it should work, but I haven't been able to get this to work. Have you achieved this and if so can you provide details about what you did?