One of the most useful features I've found in any video compression program is the ability to do batch compression. This is extremely powerful. Without batch, you have to manually compress each video for upload, one by one, and you have to wait until it's done to start on the next one. The idea behind batch is implemented in many different ways, and for several applications. For example, in Final Cut Pro, you can do a batch capture. You scrub through your tape (or clip) and set in and out points for the sections you want to capture. Then you press "Batch," and it captures it all for you, while you get a nice cup of coffee at your local coffee shop. Similarly, with Batch for video compression, you can set up a list of things for the computer to do, and it will perform them sequentially, without wasting your time, or CPU cycles. In fact, I'm convinced that the real reason for batch actions is for getting coffee!

Here are step-by-step instructions for using MPEG Streamclip (an amazing, free, compression program for Windows and Mac) for compressing videos specifically for upload to Vimeo. You can use this same process for Youtube. Youtube gives you other settings for optimal quality, and you can use MPEG Streamclip for batch processing with those other settings as well. You'll get the best video quality in the end by delivering files in the format that the site tells you to deliver, but if you're looking for something that will just work, this format shouldn't give you any problems.

1 Open MPEG Streamclip

2 From the menu, select List - Batch List (or press Command-B)

3 In a Finder window, Select the video files to convert (you can select more than one - there's no upper limit).

4 Drag them into the Batch Window. (note: when the videos are compressed, they will inherit the names of the original uncompressed files).

5 A dialog box will come up. Select "Export to Quicktime." Leave the checkboxes unchecked.

6 Choose where you want the compressed files to be placed. (I usually make a new folder called "compressed exports," so I can keep track of my files in a consistent and predictable way). Press "Select" to select the folder.

7 A complex dialog box will come up with a bunch of options. Copy my options in the image below for Vimeo uploads:
(note: the Compression options are not in alphabetical order - H.264 is probably near the top of the list)
(note: this is assuming that all of your videos are 720×480, which is probably a reasonable assumption. Ultimately, for the frame size, you want it to say "unscaled" if possible)

8 Double-check the settings above, and if they're all right, press the "To Batch" button. Almost there!

9 Your movies will appear in the Batch window, all ready to go. If you want to compress videos in a different format as well, just repeat steps 3-8 until you have all of the formats in the list. (This is great if, for example, you are compressing several videos for several different playback mediums (web small, web large, web broadband, cell phone delivery, iphone/touch, ipod, apple TV, video podcast, DVD, video in powerpoint, etc). You can make a list, and let it run overnight.

10 Using the up and down button, you can change the order in which they will compress. If you're in no huge rush with any one of the videos in particular, any order will suffice. You can also tell MPEG Streamclip to process up to 4 videos at a time (useful if you have many cores). Go ahead and press "Go." It will process each item individually, and you can walk away and get a coffee while the computer chugs and crunches numbers for you. Or you can multi-task, and work on a document while the computer works. There's no harm in working on the computer while it processes - it might run a bit slow though. But it's so much nicer to go outside and experience some sunlight, meet a friend at a coffee shop, enjoy the world as normal people do! Many of us video folks forget there's a sun outside, waiting to play with us.

My philosophy is: Everything in moderation. Because I personally spend so much time on the computer doing work, when I get free moments, it's so much healthier and more fun to go outside and gallivant for a bit. Vegging out in front of the computer screen is usually more appealing for the people who physically work all day, and get too much sun. But for those of us who get too much screen, sometimes a little sun is nice. This is why I strongly welcome batch operations anywhere I can find them.