DVD to Apple TV using Handbrake

Question

Level 2

160 points

DVD to Apple TV using Handbrake

Hey All..

Hope I'm not posting against the policies here. I have converted all my DVD collection to my iMac using the TV preset in the application. However, I am now aware that once I added them to iTunes I cannot play these files on my iPod Classic. So, I have started to reconvert my DVD's again using the iPod high-res setting which looks great on my TV. I just wondered of anyone who uses Handbrake knows if you can reconvert files that are already converted and on my iMac. For instance, if I got to HB and source..then into my iTunes "Movies" folder and click on one of the ones i want to convert to iPod high-res it says no valid title found. Do I really need to convert them all via the DVDs again?
The reason I ask is that, we all know it's a long process, but I'd be able to do it using screen share in Back to My Mac and do it from the office. I could get through them all in a couple of days if I didn't have to be home to switch the discs. It'd be great to hear your thoughts. I'm sure many of you sue this application and advice would be appreciated.
Again..I do hope i'm not hitting any posting policies here but I do own all the DVDs and just want to play them on my TV and iPod without having two files the same in my iTunes..

Thanks All..

~RICKY

MacBook Pro 2.33GHz C2D 3GB RAM  iMac 24" 2.8GHz 4GB RAM  iPhone 8GB, Mac OS X (10.5.1), TV 40GB & 160GB iPod 60GB

Posted on Feb 14, 2008 4:49 AM

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Answer 1

Fletsch

Level 1

100 points

Feb 14, 2008 5:34 AM in response to RickyGray

you suolod be able to convert using iTunes. Just click on the movie in iTunes, then find the "convert to" in the Menu bar.

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Answer 2

Feb 14, 2008 7:10 AM in response to RickyGray

You should check out ffmpeg. It will convert just about anything to anything and a lot faster than using iTunes to do it.

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Answer 3

KBeat

Level 3

800 points

Feb 14, 2008 7:17 AM in response to RickyGray

This can easily be done within iTunes. Simply select the title and go to menu Advanced-> Convert Selection for iPod/iPhone.

You'll get better looking movies if you start with your source DVD however. When I rip my DVDs, I convert them twice. Once using the Apple TV preset, and once using the iPhone preset.

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Answer 4

Feb 14, 2008 7:37 AM in response to RickyGray

Try DVD2Pod,it's free,simple,reliable.I use it for quite a while and happy with it.
Cheers.
M

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Answer 5

RickyGray Author

Level 2

160 points

Feb 14, 2008 7:44 AM in response to KBeat

Hey KBeat,
Thanks for you response..all of you actually. Thats great news about iTunes...I'll maybe give that a go. One concern I would have would be the quality. I mean, my DVD's to iPod High-Res are absolutely first class. I would just worry that the quality using iTunes to convert a converted (!?) file would be somewhat less...I mean the quality converting an TV rip to an iPod H-R rip wouldn't be great either. Just looking for some feedback on other people who've tried. I'll definitely give it a go though.
I just want to have them looking good on the TV. I know they'll look good on my iPod but the TV is mostly where they'll be seen.
Many thanks...I'll try it tonight when I get home and post the results.

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Answer 6

RickyGray Author

Level 2

160 points

Feb 14, 2008 7:49 AM in response to KBeat

KBeat..
Just started it now using Back to My Mac...ace! I have one other question...when converting it, does it produce a new file or does it jut convert the old one?
~Ricky

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Answer 7

Fletsch

Level 1

100 points

Feb 14, 2008 8:35 AM in response to RickyGray

It produces a new file

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Answer 8

Feb 15, 2008 1:37 AM in response to Fletsch

What I would really like to know is how to convert a DVD to a video format that can be used on my ATV and my iPhone. When you download from iTunes store, it works that way. But, whenever I rip something with Handbrake, it's one or the other. Am I doing something wrong?

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Answer 9

RickyGray Author

Level 2

160 points

Feb 15, 2008 1:49 AM in response to Gregory McBride

Hey Gregory..

What version of Handbrake are you using? The latest version is 0.9.1 and on the top right hand side it has a preset window. In there you get multiple choices of what format you want to convert too. I was having the same problem and after browsing around the forums someone suggested using the "iPod High-Res" setting as this would then work on both iPod/iPhone and TV. I did it and, even thought the files sizes are a little larger, the quality on both iPod and TV was fantastic....so I recommend that that would be the solution to your problem.
Give it a try and see what happens.

~RICKY

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Answer 10

RickyGray Author

Level 2

160 points

Feb 15, 2008 1:51 AM in response to KBeat

Hey KBeat..

Coverted my "Anchorman" TV file last night using iTunes...man, it took about 3.5 hours to do it. I have a nice iMac so not sure why it took so long. Anyways, the point is that I have decided to go back and dig out the DVD collection and just go through them again. Thanks for the help..

~RICKY

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Answer 11

InVision

Level 1

47 points

Feb 15, 2008 3:47 AM in response to Gregory McBride

Gregory,

I have been using Jesterware iPhone software. I run it in VM Fusion. I use the Widescreen preset 640 x 360. The resulting iPhone files are killer and the ATV playback is acceptable. About 1GB for every 2 hours.

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Answer 12

Feb 15, 2008 6:16 AM in response to RickyGray

Quality is very subjective. Some are manic about the quality and hate ipod TV high res setting. It's full gale force quality for them. The resulting files are typically near 2 gigs. A high res iPod Tv quality file is just over 1 gig. You can use these on an iPod and your appleTV. I would use this setting if you plan on using your movies both ways. I started out ripping at a modest quality...now I stray towards far higher rips. ON a large HD set, it seems silly to skimp on your rips. Handbrake is free and the basis for many of the middling low process software out there. It works like a dream and is my fave. Roxio Crunch isn't very good...I would pass on it. Visual Hub is very quick and I use it for all my less important file conversion. If it's great quality and I have time, I use Handbrake.

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Answer 13

Feb 20, 2008 5:10 PM in response to RickyGray

I just bought TV 40GB. I don't really know what the hard drive is used for. I thought everything is streamed from iTunes or the internet. But with Handbrake, and from what I see we can do here (putting my DVD collection inside here), is it recommended that I get the 160 GB one instead? thoughts, anyone? Thanks, Robert

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Answer 14

DonH49

Level 6

16,716 points

Feb 20, 2008 7:03 PM in response to The Boots

if you encode properly then 160 gig will handle about 43 movies. if you go the cheap way then you can get a few more.

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