Compressor (software)

Compressor is a professional video and audio media encoding software application developed by Apple Inc. primarily for use with its Final Cut Pro video editing software. It is designed to transcode video and audio files into various formats, optimize them for different delivery platforms (such as web, broadcast, and mobile devices), and prepare them for distribution.

Compressor provides a range of features for controlling the encoding process, including the ability to adjust bit rates, frame rates, resolutions, codecs, and other parameters. Users can create custom encoding settings or utilize pre-built presets optimized for specific destinations. The software also offers tools for batch processing, allowing users to encode multiple files simultaneously, and for creating droplets, which are standalone applications that automatically apply pre-defined encoding settings to files dragged onto them.

Furthermore, Compressor integrates with Final Cut Pro, allowing editors to send projects directly to Compressor for background encoding while continuing to work in Final Cut Pro. This integration streamlines the post-production workflow by reducing encoding time and improving overall efficiency. Compressor also supports distributed encoding, allowing users to leverage multiple computers on a network to speed up the encoding process for large or complex projects.

The software includes features for adding watermarks, subtitles, and closed captions to encoded videos. It also supports various audio encoding formats, including surround sound and multi-channel audio. Compressor is a key component in many professional video editing workflows, particularly those utilizing the Apple ecosystem.