Media Encoder: Hands-Free Video Automation
A simple system to auto-export finished videos into multiple formats using Adobe Media Encoder’s Watch Folders.
Folder Setup
Dropbox/Videos/ ├─ _MediaEncoder/ │ ├─ WatchFolders/ │ │ ├─ Highlights/ │ │ ├─ Tutorials/ │ │ └─ Messages/ │ └─ Output/ │ ├─ Highlights/ │ ├─ Tutorials/ │ └─ Messages/ ├─ Footage/ ← Raw clips (by date/event) ├─ Projects/ ← Premiere or AE sessions ├─ Templates/ ← Logos, intros, .mogrt files
1. Highlights
For events: church, weddings, parties, concerts.
Steps:
- Export master video from Premiere
- Drop into: _MediaEncoder/WatchFolders/Highlights/
- Media Encoder outputs:
- 1920x1080 (YouTube/lobby)
- 1080x1920 (Reels)
- .jpg thumbnail (e.g. frame at 0:05)
2. Tutorials
For walkthroughs or branded teaching content.
Steps:
- Export finished tutorial video
- Drop into: _MediaEncoder/WatchFolders/Tutorials/
- Media Encoder adds:
- Intro/outro (preset)
- Auto-ducked music (optional)
- Outputs:
- Full HD
- Vertical crop
- Compressed version
3. Quick Messages
For iMessage or quick video updates.
Steps:
- Record on phone or Mac
- Drop into: _MediaEncoder/WatchFolders/Messages/
- Media Encoder:
- Trims silence (optional)
- Styles lightly
- Compresses to < 20MB
Tips
- ✅ Use spaces in folder names (clean in Finder)
- ✅ Use underscores/dashes in file names (safe for scripts)
- Keep WatchFolders clean — they’re temporary drop zones
- Archive source files in Footage/ after export
Next Steps (Optional)
- Add auto-archive or file cleanup
- Use .epr presets for each folder
- Set up notifications when encoding finishes