After editing your video to its final version, the last step is exporting it to the desired format(s). Ideally, this process is quite simple; however, there is plenty of potential for technical nightmares to start popping up where we least expect them. Even the most experienced producers can't deny the existence of a witching hour that occurs as soon as you send your project to DVD, or YouTube, or an iPhone or a Whatchamacallit. The process of compressing your video from its acquisition format to the desired deliverable format is called transcoding. Transcoding video incorporates a vast array of changes to the video and audio data that can have one or many hiccups along the way. Thankfully, there are ways to make the process simple.

Most, if not all, video editing applications include transcoding tools. The more professional applications have more features and flexibility. But in all cases, we highly recommend you use the presets when appropriate. It's very common that you can find a preset for popular devices, such as the iPhone, iPod, PSP and other mobile devices. Additionally, there are usually presets for common deliverable media, such as DVD, Blu-ray Disc, MP3, Podcast formats, web video and others. Use the presets when possible. It takes the guesswork out of the process and sets the video resolution to the specific standards of the device or medium. When a preset is not available, you'll have to cook up your own. It's not uncommon to find the format specifications in user forums, if not directly from the white pages on the manufacturer's website. Enter these customized settings and, if possible, save them as a new preset. Most importantly, always test your video on the devices to make sure they indeed work properly. Finally, look at the video resolution, and take notice of any understated visuals that are caused by the reduced resolution. You can learn a lot from your mistakes.

Our last recommendation in the transcoding phase is for producers who will be exporting a great number of different formats frequently. We suggest you have a transcoder that has a render queue. With a render queue (sometimes called batch rendering), you can line up all the different formats and set your computer to render them together. It's not an uncommon practice to set up your render queue at the end of the day and let your computer work overnight, putting freshly-compressed video on your desk the following morning.

From the silver screen to the mobile phone, proper planning to make the best use of the screen size will yield better experiences for your audience. When you're dealing with video resolution, you are creating a window into your world - make sure it's what you want everyone to see.

Contributing editor Mark Montgomery is an independent video producer.