Setting up animation for stadium screens as MP4 (Show Controls)

Small correction to my earlier reply: as Warren pointed out, After Effects does support exporting H.264 directly from the Render Queue since version 23, via native H.264 encoding in the Output Module. Thanks for the catch, Warren.

Official documentation: https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/exporting-h264-from-the-after-effects-render-queue.html

​@andyh119514 

Your After Effects templates should provide you with the color bit depth (probably 8 bits per channel) the frame size (this will be specific to the display’s pixel matrix), the frame rate (probably 30 fps), and duration.  Since you have the animation setup already, it sounds like you have that part covered.

As for what custom Output Module settings to use goes, is there anything in the Render Queue of the template project file that shows as “Done”?  If there’s an item rendered at H264 settings (Ae supports H264 directly via the Output Module since version 23.x), that is probably at the required H264 output settings and you can match those.

If you don’t have a prior render item to reference, I’d ask about sending over some test files well before your delivery deadline.  The specifications that I export to for 1515 Broadway in Times Square asks for 2-pass VBR encoding which means using Media Encoder (Ae supports CBR and 1-pass VBR).  For two test files, start with Ae’s “H264 - Match Render Settings - 40 Mbps” Output Module template, but customize one to 32 Mbps CBR and the other to 32 Mbps VBR 1-pass.  Then a third file, start with Media Encoder’s H264 Format with the “Match Source - High Bitrate” preset, but customize it to VBR 2-pass with a target bitrate of 28 Mbps and a max bitrate of 32 Mbps.

Name each test file in a way that reflects the settings used and then send those over.

So that you’re not guessing, I’d try to nail down the H264 encoding method (CBR, VBR 1-pass, VBR 2-pass) and the exact bitrate.  I’ve done deliveries that need to be 9 Mbps instead of 32 Mbps.

Good luck!

 - Warren 

 

You're on the right track — the venue already gave you the answer: they want MP4, not QuickTime. The QuickTime Animation + alpha file was for Disguise playback, and they explicitly said "NOT Disguise", so you can drop the alpha-channel requirement.

One thing to know: After Effects can no longer export MP4/H.264 directly from the Render Queue. Instead, send the comp to Adobe Media Encoder: select your composition and go to Composition > Add to Adobe Media Encoder Queue, then set Format to H.264. Keep the resolution and frame rate matched to the supplied templates, and design the ribbons fully opaque — MP4 (H.264) doesn't carry an alpha channel anyway.

Hope that gets the ribbons accepted!