Getting Started

Welcome to Simple Media Encoder - Professional media conversion for macOS

Quick Start Guide

Drag and Drop Media Files

Simply drag and drop your media files into Simple Media Encoder to begin the conversion process. The app supports a wide range of audio and video formats.

Tip: You can select multiple files at once for batch conversion.

Select Your Output Format

Choose your desired output format and frame rate from the preset menu. The app includes professional presets for both audio and video conversion with broadcast-standard frame rates.

Tip: Professional presets are optimized for broadcast and studio work, while consumer presets are perfect for everyday use.

Configure Smart Options

Customize how your files are organized and named using the smart options panel:

Include settings in filename: Adds conversion settings to output filenames (e.g., "video_H264_1080p_30fps.mp4")
Create subfolder: Organizes files by format (Video/MP4, Audio/WAV)
Use source file directory: Saves converted files next to originals
Overwrite existing files: Replace files with the same name

Tip: Smart filenaming helps you identify conversion settings at a glance, while subfolders keep your workspace organized.

Click Convert

Click the "Convert" button to start processing. The app will show real-time progress and estimated completion time.

Tip: You can continue using your Mac while conversion is in progress.

Monitor Progress

Watch the conversion progress in real-time. The app displays current status, processing speed, and estimated time remaining.

Tip: The progress bar shows both overall completion and current file progress.

Find Your Converted Files

Once conversion is complete, find your converted files in the output directory. The app maintains the original file structure.

Tip: You can set a custom output directory in the app settings.

Supported Formats

Audio Input Formats

WAV - Uncompressed Windows audio format
AIFF - Uncompressed Apple audio format
M4A - Apple's compressed audio format
MP3 - Most common compressed audio format
FLAC - Lossless compressed audio

Audio Output Formats

WAV - Uncompressed, lossless quality
AIFF - Apple's uncompressed format
M4A - AAC and ALAC compression

Video Input Formats

MP4 - Most common video container
MOV - Apple's QuickTime format
M4V - Apple video format
AVI - Windows video format
MKV - Open source container

Video Output Formats

MP4 - H.264, H.265 encoding
MOV - ProRes, H.264, H.265
ProRes 422 - Apple's broadcast standard
ProRes 4444 - Premium with alpha channel

Format Support

All formats supported by macOS AVFoundation - The app leverages Apple's native media framework for maximum compatibility and performance.

System Requirements

Operating System

macOS 13.0 or later - The app requires macOS Ventura or newer for optimal performance and compatibility.

Memory (RAM)

4GB minimum, 8GB recommended - More RAM allows for faster processing and larger batch conversions.

Storage

2GB free disk space - Required for temporary files and app installation. More space needed for large media files.

Processor

Apple Silicon only - Optimized for Apple Silicon processors. Intel Macs are not supported.

Graphics

Integrated graphics sufficient - Video processing benefits from dedicated graphics but works with integrated solutions.

First Time Setup

1. Launch the App

Double-click Simple Media Encoder in your Applications folder or use Spotlight (⌘+Space) to find it.

2. Grant Permissions

The app may request access to your files and folders. Grant these permissions for full functionality.

3. Set Output Directory

Go to Settings (⌘,) and set your preferred output directory for converted files.

4. Choose Default Preset

Select your preferred default preset for quick conversions.

Next Steps

Now that you're familiar with the basics, explore these topics:

🎵 Audio Conversion Guide 🎬 Video Conversion Guide ⚙️ Presets & Settings 🔧 Troubleshooting