Encoding Mov files from Final Cut/Compress for TSMuxer Conversion

Last Updated: March 10, 2015

Note: BrightSign players now support .mov files.

Using TSMuxer, you can change the container type of your H.264 encoded MOV file produced by final cut / compressor to a Transport Stream. Since the video isn’t re-encoded, there should be no quality loss.

Follow these directions to create .mov files that are compatible with TSMuxer.

1. Create the animation / video (use a Broadcast 1080 or 720 format for HD).
2. Choose File> Export. Make sure the Export field is Quicktime Movie.
3. Select Options.
4. Select Kind = Quicktime Movie, Compressor = H.264. 
   Note: You can experiment with the Quality slider depending upon your content, but some have found that settings as low as 50% are still very good.
5. Click OK and use Save As to save the file you want to create (.mov).
6. Close the video preview window that may open after the file has been rendered.
7. Close Motion / Final Cut (don't forget to save your Motion file).
8. Open the .mov file in the finder (it should open with Quicktime Player).
9. Your movie should play back here. Press Pause / Stop to stop playback.
10. Choose Window > Show Movie Properties.
    Note: You will see that in addition to your video track, there are one or two other tracks along with this file. There may be a Text Track and/or an unknown track with the file's name. These are the unnecessary tracks that are confusing TSMuxer.
11. Click the video track (the format will be H.264) and select Extract. If your video has audio, select the audio and video tracks together. This feature is only available with Quicktime Pro, which comes with Final Cut Studio. You can also purchase an upgrade separately from Apple's website.
12. A new video window will open with your video with the header "Untitled". Select Save As and choose a new file name. You won't be able to use the same name as the original .mov file.
13. Open TSMuxer, click Add, and select the new extracted file.
14. Click Start Muxing. The .ts file will be created. This file can be played back directly using the BrightSign player.