How to Export Videos in Adobe Premiere Pro

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Adobe Premiere Pro is one of the most popular video editing software used by both professionals and amateurs. Once you've edited your video project, the next important step is to export your video. Exporting in Premiere Pro involves rendering your clips to the final output format of your choice. This guide will take you through the detailed step-by-step process of exporting videos in Adobe Premiere Pro, covering everything from basic exports for beginners to advanced settings for those who want more control over quality and format.

Understanding export settings

Before moving on to the export process, it is important to understand the various export settings available in Premiere Pro. These settings determine the final output quality, file size, and compatibility of your video. Here are some of the key export settings:

• Format: The Format option allows you to choose the codec and container for the exported video. Common formats include H.264, AVI, and QuickTime.
• Presets: Presets are pre-configured settings designed for specific outputs like YouTube, Vimeo, or 4K quality.
• Output name and location: You can specify the name and folder where you want to save the exported file.
• Export video/audio: Decide whether you want to export both audio and video or just one.

Exporting your video: Step-by-step guide

Now that you're familiar with the export settings, let's take a look at the step-by-step process for exporting a video in Adobe Premiere Pro.

Step 1: Select the sequence

First, make sure you have the correct sequence selected on your timeline. If you have multiple sequences, click the one you want to export to make it active.

Step 2: Open the export settings

Go to the top menu and click File > Export > Media... or press Ctrl + M (Cmd + M on a Mac) on your keyboard. This action will open the Export Settings window.

Step 3: Choose the format and preset

In the Export Settings window, you'll find a dropdown menu next to Format. Choose the format that best suits your needs. For most purposes, H.264 is a great choice because of its balance of quality and file size.

After you choose your format, you'll see a preset dropdown below it. Choose the preset that matches the output quality you want. For example, if you're exporting at 1080p for YouTube, choose the YouTube 1080p Full HD preset.

Step 4: Set the output name and location

Click the Output Name field. A dialog box will appear, allowing you to rename your file and choose where you want to save it. Make sure you remember this location for easy access after export.

Step 5: Adjust the video and audio settings

Under the Video and Audio tabs, you will find several adjustable parameters. If you are using a preset, these settings are usually already optimized. However, if you have specific needs, you can manually adjust the resolution, frame rate, bitrate, and audio quality here.

For example, to manually select a video resolution:

• Go to the Video tab.
• Find the width and height parameters.
• Enter the resolution you want.

Step 6: Use the Effects Tab (Optional)

The Effects tab provides additional video processing options. Here you can apply a variety of effects, such as timecode overlays, image overlays, or LUTs (look-up tables) for color correction. Although optional, this step can be useful for branding or final changes.

Step 7: Exporting

Once you’re satisfied with your settings, you have two options for export:

• Queue: Click Queue to send your sequence to Adobe Media Encoder, which allows you to continue working in Premiere Pro while your video continues to export in the background.
• Export: Click Export to begin exporting directly into Premiere Pro. Note that you cannot make any further edits in Premiere during this process.

Media Encoder is typically recommended for batch exporting and maintaining workflow efficiency.

Optimizing export quality and file size

Getting the right balance between video quality and file size is crucial to successful export. Here's how you can optimize your settings:

Bitrate Settings

The bitrate setting greatly affects the quality and file size of your video. There are different types of bitrate settings:

• CBR (Constant Bitrate): Applies a uniform bitrate throughout the video. This is easier on processing power, but can result in larger file sizes than necessary.
• VBR (Variable Bitrate): Adjusts the bitrate according to the complexity of the content. VBR is more efficient as it ensures high quality while effectively managing the file size.

VBR 2-pass provides the best quality at controlled file size, as the video is analyzed once for the compression strategy and then encoded in a second pass.

Resolution and Frame Rate

The resolution and frame rate should align with your source footage or platform specifications. Reducing either of these can significantly reduce file size while a lower frame rate can impact the smoothness of motion:

• Resolution: Standard resolutions are 4K, 1080p, and 720p. Choose based on your project needs.
• Frame rate: Match your project's native frame rate for consistency, typically 24, 30, or 60 frames per second (fps).

Advanced techniques: Exporting for different platforms

Each platform has its own unique peculiarities that may require adjustments to your export settings to get the best results.

Exporting to YouTube

YouTube is a popular platform that has specific requirements:

• Format: H.264
• Resolution: Match your source resolution, usually 1080p or 4K
• Frame rate: keep it the same as your source footage
• Bitrate: Use VBR with a bitrate of at least 12 Mbps for 1080p

Exporting for Instagram

Instagram has its own guidelines for the best quality of posts:

• Format: H.264
• Resolution: 1080 x 1080 square, 1080 x 1920 for vertical stories
• Frame rate: 30 fps
• Bitrate: target 8 Mbps for square and vertical video

Troubleshooting common export issues

During the export process, you may encounter a variety of problems. Here are common problems and solutions:

Export crashes

If Premiere Pro crashes during export, try these suggestions:

• Check your system's specifications. More RAM and a stronger CPU may improve performance.
• Make sure your Premiere Pro and Media Encoder are up to date.
• Render your timeline before exporting by pressing Enter or going to Sequence > Render In to Out.

Audio/video out of sync

This can happen if the export settings do not match the source settings:

• Make sure your sequence settings match the source footage with regard to frame rate and audio sample rate.
• Double-check the export settings in Video > Frame Rate and Audio > Sample Rate.

Final thoughts

Exporting video in Adobe Premiere Pro is a crucial step to ensure your project is ready for broadcast. Understand your project requirements, choose the proper settings and select the best export method for your task. By following this guide, you'll be well-equipped to export your projects efficiently and accurately, whether you're optimizing for web platforms like YouTube and Instagram or ensuring high-quality playback on a variety of devices.

Remember, practice makes perfect, so feel free to experiment with different settings to find what works best for your workflow and project needs. Happy editing!

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