Media Conversion Workflows with Expi
Efficient media conversion isn't just about clicking a button—it's about establishing workflows that save time, maintain quality, and fit your specific needs. This guide covers best practices and workflows for getting the most out of Expi.
Understanding Your Conversion Needs
Before diving into workflows, identify your primary use cases:
1. Content Creation: Converting raw footage for editing
2. Distribution: Preparing files for different platforms
3. Archival: Converting to long-term storage formats
4. Compatibility: Making files work across devices
5. Optimization: Reducing file sizes while maintaining quality
Workflow 1: Batch Processing Multiple Files
The Challenge
You have dozens or hundreds of files that need the same conversion settings.
The Solution
1. Organize your files: Group files by source or destination
2. Set up a template: Configure your preferred settings once
3. Add all files: Drag and drop entire folders
4. Review the queue: Check that all files are using correct settings
5. Start conversion: Let Expi process everything automatically
Pro Tips
- Use Expi's queue system to process files in order
- Set up export patterns for consistent naming
- Monitor the first few conversions to ensure quality
- Use hardware acceleration for faster processing
Workflow 2: Multi-Format Distribution
The Challenge
You need the same content in multiple formats for different platforms (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, etc.).
The Solution
1. Create format presets: Save settings for each platform
2. Convert once, export many: Use Expi's batch export feature
3. Maintain quality: Start with highest quality source
4. Optimize per platform: Adjust bitrate and resolution for each
Platform-Specific Settings
YouTube:
- Format: MP4 (H.264)
- Resolution: 1080p or 4K
- Bitrate: 8-12 Mbps (1080p), 35-45 Mbps (4K)
Instagram:
- Format: MP4 (H.264)
- Resolution: 1080x1080 (square) or 1080x1920 (stories)
- Bitrate: 3-5 Mbps
TikTok:
- Format: MP4 (H.264)
- Resolution: 1080x1920 (vertical)
- Bitrate: 3-5 Mbps
Workflow 3: Quality Optimization
The Challenge
You need the smallest file size without noticeable quality loss.
The Solution
1. Start with source analysis: Check current file properties
2. Test different settings: Convert small samples first
3. Compare results: Use Expi's preview to compare quality
4. Find the sweet spot: Balance file size and quality
5. Apply to batch: Use optimized settings for all files
Quality Settings Guide
High Quality (Large Files):
- Codec: H.264 or H.265
- Bitrate: 10-20 Mbps (1080p)
- Preset: Slow (better compression)
Balanced (Recommended):
- Codec: H.264
- Bitrate: 5-8 Mbps (1080p)
- Preset: Medium
Small Files (Web/Streaming):
- Codec: H.264
- Bitrate: 2-4 Mbps (1080p)
- Preset: Fast
Workflow 4: Raw Footage Processing
The Challenge
You have raw camera footage that needs processing before editing.
The Solution
1. Import raw files: Add all footage to Expi
2. Apply basic corrections: Use Expi's built-in editor
- Adjust exposure if needed
- Correct color balance
- Trim unwanted sections
3. Convert to editing format: Choose a format your editor prefers
4. Maintain quality: Use lossless or high-quality settings
5. Organize outputs: Use consistent naming for easy import
Recommended Editing Formats
Professional:
- ProRes 422 (macOS)
- DNxHD (Windows)
- Uncompressed (for maximum quality)
Standard:
- MP4 (H.264) - High quality
- MOV (H.264) - High quality
Workflow 5: Archive and Storage
The Challenge
You need to convert files for long-term storage while preserving quality.
The Solution
1. Choose archival format: Use formats with wide compatibility
2. Maintain metadata: Preserve important file information
3. Use lossless or near-lossless: Prioritize quality over size
4. Create backups: Always keep originals if possible
5. Document settings: Note what settings you used
Recommended Archival Formats
Video:
- MP4 (H.264) - Maximum compatibility
- MOV (ProRes) - Professional archival
- MKV (H.265) - Modern, efficient
Audio:
- FLAC - Lossless
- WAV - Uncompressed
- MP3 (320 kbps) - Compressed but high quality
Images:
- PNG - Lossless
- TIFF - Professional archival
- JPEG (High quality) - Compressed
Workflow 6: Device Compatibility
The Challenge
Files need to work on specific devices (phones, tablets, TVs, etc.).
The Solution
1. Identify target device: Know the device's supported formats
2. Check resolution limits: Some devices have maximum resolutions
3. Test on device: Convert a sample and test
4. Create device presets: Save settings for each device type
5. Batch convert: Process all files with device-specific settings
Advanced Workflow Tips
1. Use Export Patterns
Set up naming patterns that include:
- Original filename
- Date/time
- Resolution
- Quality setting
Example: {filename}_{resolution}_{date}.mp4
2. Monitor Resources
- Watch CPU/GPU usage during conversion
- Adjust queue size based on system performance
- Use hardware acceleration when available
3. Quality Control
- Always preview before batch processing
- Check first output before processing all files
- Keep original files until conversion is verified
4. Organization
- Use consistent folder structures
- Name files descriptively
- Keep conversion logs if needed
Common Workflow Mistakes to Avoid
1. Converting already compressed files multiple times: Each conversion loses quality
2. Using wrong aspect ratios: Always match source or crop intentionally
3. Ignoring audio settings: Audio quality matters as much as video
4. Not testing settings: Always test on a sample before batch processing
5. Forgetting metadata: Preserve important metadata when possible
Conclusion
Effective media conversion workflows save time and maintain quality. Whether you're processing hundreds of files or optimizing for specific platforms, Expi provides the tools you need. Start with these workflows and adapt them to your specific needs.
Remember: the best workflow is one that fits your process. Experiment, test, and refine until you find what works best for you.