Add metadata

You can add metadata to your transcoded file in the form of job annotations and closed-caption files.

Add annotations to a media file

Annotations are output with files transcoded using the Apple Devices, MP3, and QuickTime settings. You can annotate a source media file with information that is important for your workflow or for the person viewing your output file. You can add any of the annotation fields provided in Compressor, or import metadata that’s used in another media file (like a QuickTime movie).

  1. In the batch area, select the job that contains the source file to which you want to add metadata.

    Tip: To select the job, rather than an output row under the job, click the source filename at the top of the job area.

  2. In the Metadata area of the Job inspector, do one of the following:

    • Choose an annotation type from the Add Job Annotation pop-up menu.

    • Choose Import from the Add Job Annotation pop-up menu, select a media file that contains annotations that you want to add to your source file, then click Open.

  3. Type a description in the text field (or in multiple text fields) for the annotation type you chose.

Associate a closed-caption file with a source file

Compressor can include a closed-caption file using the Scenarist closed-caption format (.scc) when encoding files in the following formats:

  • QuickTime files: Compressor adds the closed-caption file as a closed-caption track to the QuickTime output file. You can view the closed captions using QuickTime Player (version 7.2 or later).

  • MPEG-2 elementary stream files: Compressor embeds the closed-caption data in an elementary MPEG-2 video stream so that it can be used for DVD authoring.

  • MPEG-2 program and transport stream files: Compressor embeds the closed-caption data in program and transport MPEG-2 streams using the EIA-608 ATSC protocol.

  • MPEG-4 (MP4) and H.264 for Apple Device (M4V) files: Compressor embeds the closed-caption data into MP4 and M4V files using the EIA-608 ATSC protocol. You can view the closed captions using QuickTime X.

  1. In the batch area, select the job that contains the source file to which you want to add closed captioning information.

    Tip: To select the job, rather than an output row under the job, click the source filename at the top of the job area.

  2. In the Metadata area of the Job inspector, click the Choose button in the “Closed captions” property, select a Scenarist closed-caption file in the window that appears, then click Open.

You can view closed-caption text in the preview area to ensure the timing and content are accurate and correct. For more, see Preview jobs.

Note: The timecode values in the closed-caption file must directly correspond to the timecode of the source media file. If you need to see the timecode values in a Scenarist file, try opening it in the TextEdit application that comes with OS X.