Mastering 4K Video Export: Premiere Pro CC 2022

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Exporting 4K Videos with Adobe Premiere Pro
3. Downloading the Free Export Presets
4. Opening Premiere Pro and Setting up the Project
5. Choosing the Video File Name and Location
6. Selecting the High Quality 2160 4K Preset
7. Setting the Video Format to Achieve S.h Dot to 65
8. Customizing Video Settings for High Quality Export
   • Frame Size and Aspect Ratio
   • Enabling Additional Settings
   • Checking Maximum Depth and Render Quality
   • Selecting Hardware Encoding for Faster Rendering
   • Choosing the Profile and Level
   • Setting HDR Graphics to 100
   • Understanding Bit Rate Settings
9. Selecting the Constant Bit Rate (CBR) Encoding
10. Setting the Target Bit Rate for High Quality
11. Uploading 4K Videos to YouTube and Other Platforms
12. Adjusting Bit Rate Settings Based on Frame Rate
13. Setting Audio Format and Bitrate
14. Downloading or Creating Custom Export Presets
15. Conclusion

Exporting High Quality 4K Videos with Adobe Premiere Pro

Are You looking to export high-quality 4K videos for platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or Facebook? In this guide, we will Show you how to achieve the best export settings using Adobe Premiere Pro, saving you time and effort. To make things even easier, we have created a set of free export presets that you can download. Let's dive in and learn how to export 4K videos like a pro!

Introduction

Exporting high-quality videos is essential to ensure your content looks impressive and professional. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced video editor, understanding the right export settings can make a significant difference. In this guide, we will provide step-by-step instructions on exporting extremely high-quality 4K videos using Adobe Premiere Pro. We'll cover everything from setting up the project to selecting the optimal export presets. By the end of this guide, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and tools to export your videos with the best possible quality.

Exporting 4K Videos with Adobe Premiere Pro

To get started, you need to have Adobe Premiere Pro installed on your computer. If you haven't installed it yet, you can download it from Adobe's official Website.

Once you have Adobe Premiere Pro up and running, open the software and Create a new project. Make sure to set the project settings to 4K resolution and your desired frame rate. Import the video clips you want to export and edit them on the timeline.

Downloading the Free Export Presets

To make the exporting process more convenient, we have prepared a set of export presets that you can download for free. These presets include all the high-quality 4K export settings we'll cover in this guide. To download the presets, click on the link provided below and follow the instructions for importing them into Adobe Premiere Pro. These presets will save you time and ensure consistent high-quality exports.

Opening Premiere Pro and Setting up the Project

Before you can start exporting your 4K video, you need to open Premiere Pro and access the export settings. In the latest version of Premiere Pro, a new export tab has been added to streamline the process. If you don't see this export tab, you may be using an older version of Premiere Pro. However, don't worry! We have a separate video tutorial that covers exporting in previous versions. You can find the link to the tutorial in the corner and the video description.

Choosing the Video File Name and Location

Once you have the export settings open, the first step is to name your video file. Choose a Relevant name that reflects the content of your video. Next, select the location where you want to save the exported video file. This step is crucial because if you don't choose a location, you may have difficulty finding the exported file later. Pick a location that is easy to remember and access.

Selecting the High Quality 2160 4K Preset

To ensure the highest video quality, we recommend using the high quality 2160 4K preset. This preset is optimized for 4K video exports and provides excellent results. Select the preset from the dropdown menu to Apply it to your export settings.

Setting the Video Format to Achieve S.h Dot to 65

By default, Adobe Premiere Pro sets the video format to H2 64. However, to achieve the highest video quality, we suggest changing the format to achieve S.h Dot to 65. This format is the latest and offers improved video quality compared to H2 64.

Customizing Video Settings for High Quality Export

At this point, you may assume that you can simply click the export button, and you're good to go. However, to achieve the best possible export settings, we need to Delve into the video settings options. This may seem complicated, but don't worry! We will guide you through each setting, ensuring you understand their impact on video quality.

Frame Size and Aspect Ratio

First, double-check that the frame size is set to 3840 by 2160, which is the standard resolution for 4K videos. Make sure the aspect ratio is set to 16:9 and the pixel aspect ratio is 1.0.

Enabling Additional Settings

If you don't see all the settings Mentioned, click on the "More" button to enable them. We recommend checking the "Render Maximum Depth" and "Use Maximum Render Quality" options. These settings enhance the quality of your video file, resulting in a more visually appealing final product.

Selecting Hardware Encoding for Faster Rendering

To speed up the rendering process, it's advisable to select hardware encoding if it's available in your Premiere Pro version. Hardware encoding takes AdVantage of your computer's graphics card, significantly reducing exporting time. If the option for hardware encoding is not available, it's still possible to select software encoding.

Choosing the Profile and Level

In the encoding settings, you'll find options for the profile and level. We recommend selecting the "Main" profile, which is suitable for most scenarios. However, if you want to explore HDR exporting workflows, you can choose the "Maintain" profile. Keep in mind that HDR exporting is more complex and may not be necessary for most users. As for the level, leave it at 5.1 but change the tier from "Main" to "High." This adjustment allows for higher bit rates and ensures export at even higher quality levels.

Setting HDR Graphics to 100

Under HDR graphics, select or set the value to 100. This setting determines the brightness and contrast of the exported video. Setting it to 100 ensures optimal HDR graphics without overexposing or underexposing the content.

Understanding Bit Rate Settings

One of the most critical aspects of video quality is the bit rate. The bit rate determines the amount of data used to represent each Second of video. Higher bit rates result in better quality, while lower bit rates may lead to compression artifacts. In the next step, we'll discuss how to set the bit rate to achieve the best possible video quality.

Selecting the Constant Bit Rate (CBR) Encoding

For optimal video quality, we recommend selecting the constant bit rate (CBR) encoding setting. CBR ensures a consistent and high-quality output by maintaining a fixed bit rate throughout the video. This eliminates any potential fluctuations in video quality.

Setting the Target Bit Rate for High Quality

Now, let's determine the target bit rate for your export. If you're uploading your video to YouTube or any other online platform, setting the target bit rate to 50 Mbps ensures the highest video quality. However, for older video codecs like H2 64, we would have recommended setting it to 100 Mbps. With the newer and more efficient ABC H2 65 codec, you can achieve the same quality at half the bit rate by setting it to 50 Mbps. Keep in mind that higher bit rates result in larger file sizes, but the visual quality improvement is well worth it.

Uploading 4K Videos to YouTube and Other Platforms

Uploading your videos in 4K resolution has significant benefits, even if you didn't film them in 4K. By upscaling lower-resolution videos to 4K, you allow platforms like YouTube to apply higher bit rates during playback. This leads to a much-improved visual quality compared to uploading the same video in HD. Therefore, we recommend always uploading your videos to YouTube and other platforms in 4K, whenever possible.

Adjusting Bit Rate Settings Based on Frame Rate

The recommended bit rate settings we discussed earlier are ideal for a frame rate of 24 frames per second (fps). However, if you're exporting a video with a higher frame rate, such as 30 or 60 fps, you should adjust the bit rate accordingly. A general rule of thumb is to set the bit rate to double the frame rate. For example, if the frame rate is 30 fps, set the bit rate to 60 Mbps. Similarly, for 60 fps footage, set the bit rate to 120 Mbps. This ensures consistent video quality across different frame rates.

Setting Audio Format and Bitrate

While video quality is essential, audio quality also plays a significant role in the overall viewing experience. In the audio tab of the export settings, make sure the audio format is set to AAC. Select a sample rate of 48,000 Hz and a stereo Channel. Set the bitrate to 320 kbps to achieve high-quality audio.

Downloading or Creating Custom Export Presets

To simplify the exporting process and save time in the future, you have two options. Firstly, you can download our free export presets that include all the settings we covered throughout this guide. These presets are compatible with Adobe Premiere Pro and can be used as a shortcut for future exports. Alternatively, you can create your custom export preset by saving all the settings we've discussed. To do this, go to the preset dropdown menu, click the three dots, and choose the "Save Preset" option. Give your preset a name, such as "H 265, 4K, 24, 50 Mbps," and save it. From now on, you can easily apply this preset to any future export.

Conclusion

Exporting high-quality 4K videos is crucial for showcasing your content in the best possible way. Adobe Premiere Pro provides powerful tools and customization options to achieve the highest video and audio quality. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can optimize your export settings and ensure your videos look impressive on platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and Facebook. Remember, always strive for higher bit rates and upload your videos in 4K whenever possible. If you'd like to learn more about video editing techniques, consider downloading our free guide, "Edit Videos Like a Pro." With these tools and knowledge at your disposal, you'll be on your way to creating stunning, high-quality videos.