Quicktime Animation codec export from AME

[rocketmotion]

This page says that the Quicktime Animation codec is supported for export in AME.

https://helpx.adobe.com/media-encoder/using/file-formats-supported-export.html#video:~:text=HD-,Quic...

I'm running AME 14.3.1 on Windows 10  and this codec doesn't seem to be listed anywhere.

Is this information up-to-date?

[Steve Griffiths]

Can only check on Mac at the moment but I can't see any options for the Animation codec in Media Encoder (2018,2019 or 2020 on Mac).

I can still seem to export using the Animation codec from Premiere Pro (on Mac) IF I set the sequence settings to use 'Animation' as the Video Previews codec and then select 'match sequence settings' when exporting. Exports look like they might be OK, but I believe the Animation codec was deprecated by Apple and it's no longer supported by QuickTime player. So I had to use VLC or bring it back into Premiere Pro to even be able to play it back.

Any reason you want to use Animation? Need an alpha channel? Prores 4444 will give good results (and is 10bit colour space) and include an alpha channel.

I know there's still a need for Animation in some circumstances e.g. some older versions of Chyrons (Broadcast Character Generators) still want the Animation codec for video clips.

[rocketmotion]

@Steve_Griffiths
I do explainer videos and graphics that use solid colors, like this:

For these kinds of videos, the animation codec is the most efficient one. 

Here's the same video rendered with the suggested alternative codecs:

The Animation codec has the smallest file size and identical quality. In some cases, the difference in file size is even more dramatic.

That is why I prefer the animation codec for graphics and Animation. I guess because that's what the codec was speciffically built for. 

[Averdahl · Accepted solution]

Set the Format to QuickTime and go down to the Video tab and change the Video Codec to Animation.

[rocketmotion]

Thanks, that's it! I knew I used to be able to see it somewhere in AME.