Compressor HLS encode generates Unwanted mp4 files

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Level 5

4,955 points

Compressor HLS encode generates Unwanted mp4 files

I use compressor to encode HLS files as per "HTTP Live Streaming"

It works very well, but annoyingly leaves mp4 files (in the various image sizes of my HLS settings) in the folder where the original QT ProRes 422 HQ file resides.

I imagine it might require these to create the segment files in the various sizes, but why doesn't it delete them after it's created the HLS?

I have looked for a setting to disable this but can't find one.

The only file I need to keep in this image is 'balance.mov'.

[Edited by Moderator]

Mac Studio, macOS 15.5

Posted on Jul 12, 2025 04:05 AM

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Answer 1

andynick Author

Level 5

4,955 points

Jul 29, 2025 01:33 AM in response to BenB

Sorry, I didn't make myself clear enough. I don't think you've actually done this yourself, have you..?

You drag the folder onto the video in Compressor and it encodes several streams of video and audio at various resolutions. This way, if the viewer's download speed is good, they get the high res stuff, but it it's poor, they get a lower res, capable of playing the video without buffering.

When I dragged that folder onto a video in Compressor it encoded the video but also left unwanted mp4 files in the folder where the ProRes422 HQ (the file I was encoding) is.

I had not touched any of the settings in the Prepare for HTTP Live Streaming folder, so they would all be the same as yours.

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Answer 2

BenB

Level 6

13,040 points

Aug 5, 2025 07:12 AM in response to andynick

Yes, I've been using Compressor professionally in TV and film since it was first released, I've taught it in classes for decades, I'm very familiar with it. I know how HTTP streaming works.

You will have one mp4 file for each preset you use. If you use the whole folder of presets (as it seems you are doing) you'll get 7 individual files. One for each specified preset. That's normal.

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Answer 3

andynick Author

Level 5

4,955 points

Aug 22, 2025 02:00 PM in response to BenB

The whole point of having several folders is to provide streams of video at various resolution (quality).

Then the browser plays the correct resolution for the available signal on the customer's device.

YouTube uses a similar system, I believe. It enables everyone to play videos whether they have a very strong, or very weak signal.

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Answer 4

BenB

Level 6

13,040 points

Aug 26, 2025 09:18 AM in response to andynick

OK, this is how it works, but I don't understand your issue now. When the provider supplies videos of various resolutions, the provider sets that up, you should only submit one file. If you want to create all of those versions yourself, then you'll have multiple files. And it's not strong or weak signals (that's radio), it's bandwidth, how much data is transferred per second. But you should not have to make all those versions yourself. What service are you uploading to?

So the question is, exactly what online video service are you uploading to?

Again, if you put multiple presets on a batch, like you're doing, you'll get multiple files. Simple as that. I'm not sure what else to tell you.

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Answer 5

andynick Author

Level 5

4,955 points

Aug 26, 2025 11:24 AM in response to BenB

Ben, Thanks for your patience.

On re-reading my original post, I see I could have been more clear - although I assumed people would know what I'm talking about. These streams are industry standard these days and used just about everywhere - ours are hosted on Amazon s3 via cloud front - and Amazon recognises the format (of course).

I originally said:

I use compressor to encode HLS files as per "HTTP Live Streaming"

It works very well, but annoyingly leaves mp4 files (in the various image sizes of my HLS settings) in the folder where the original QT ProRes 422 HQ file resides.

I should have said:

I use compressor to encode HLS files as per "HTTP Live Streaming"

It works very well, but annoyingly, AS WELL AS THE FOLDERS WITH THE .ts SEGMENTS AND .M3U8 FILES, IT ALSO leaves mp4 files (in the various image sizes of my HLS settings) in the folder where the original QT ProRes 422 HQ file resides.

It's these useless (for me) extra files I would like to avoid creating.

That is all I wanted to know.

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