Many VOD customers prefer a H264 intermediate for best quality and filesize:
File Format: MP4 or M4V
Video: 1280x720p H264 @ 5 Mbps or higher
Audio: 44100 Stereo AAC @ 192 Kbps or higher
If you are having audio sync issues, we recommend exporting from Apple apps using MP4 instead of MOV. Often the timescale problems with MOV files are variable framerate or custom chapter markers. Forcing Apple's MacOS core media engine to MP4 output should lock a constant framerate and solve the sync problems.
Option #1 - MPEG Streamclip: With a simple interface similar to Apple's own QT Player, we find MPEG Streamclip to be a great tool for making fast edits and exporting a high-quality mp4 mezzanine. I also really like how all the settings are in one window and can be customized very quickly without having to click thru sub-windows.
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Option #2 - Handbrake: Another very popular tool, since it is a 64-bit multicore x264 encoder on both Mac and PC and very fast. Default quality is very good using the "Regular -> Normal" setting for main profile.
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Option #3 - Adobe CS6 Media Encoder: If you already have one of the CS6 applications, Adobe's encoder is very good. I generally go with the 720p Vimeo HD setting.
Option #4 - Final Cut Pro 7.x: You can export a sequence directly from FCP 7 using "QuickTime Conversion". This will take about 4x longer than other methods, due to it's legacy 32-bit processing. You will also need to modify many of the settings for framesize, aspect ratio, audio codec, and single-pass. Screenshot details below.
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