"THIS MOVIE FORMAT IS NOT SUPPORTED"

Everyone,
Do you really want to know how to fix this problem?

Bear with me here, its long....

ORIGINALLY, what was causing this problem was the iPhone update 2.0.1
BUT, 2.0.2 fixes this problem. I know, you are still having the problem with 2.0.2 installed.

This is because iTunes 7.7.1 is causing the problem now.

Several people are having problems with Apps, video and this error. I did as well.

Once you get rid of 7.7.1 and install 7.7.0 again, do a restore from backup on your phone, the problems...ALL OF THEM, literally disappear.

At least, it did for me and several others.

If you have a backup copy of the installer for 7.7, give it a try. It can't hurt (only replace the application and you won't lose your library). What this will do is save you a lot of time trying to convert files that probably won't work no matter what you do. If it doesn't work, I'm sorry for taking up your time, I'm just trying to help.

Good Luck!!!

Thanks Sandy. Is this a fix for Vista users also? I've got my iPod Touch synced to the PC as it's the only place big enough for my 1.2TB video collection. And, forgive me for the queries, but should I therefore avoid iTunes updates on the PC until official confirmation is given that the matter is resolved? I've got about 100GB of TV sitting waiting to be converted for iPod Touch but I'm loathe to do it at the lower resolution only to have Apple release a fix within the month. There's some stuff I don't mind being low res, but I like having a good quality rip available to watch on the plasma in the living room....yes, I do like having my cake and eating it. That's why I have a Mac and PC....lots of Apple goodness with a sprinkling of World in Conflict, Comapny of Heroes and Crysis on top!

Regards,
CP

Hi, CP, I really don't know. I would be hesitant to upgrade the PC to 7.7.1 if you haven't already done so. To be honest, I was on the phone with a guy from Apple for 3 hours and he had no solution. Since its not in their policy to recommend downgrades, he couldn't officially tell me to try it. What he did do was give me his direct phone number and extension to reach him in case I had found a solution. I did leave him a message so, hopefully, the techs are working on getting 7.7.2 out.

As for my fix working on the PC, I have no way to test it. Again, as long as you just replace the app, it shouldn't do any harm so it might be worth trying. I didn't even use an installer. I have a Time Capsule so I just went back to July 28th and copied 7.7 and replaced 7.7.1 with it. Worked like a charm. Please let me know how it goes! Sorry I couldn't be more helpful on the PC issue. :o(

Best of luck!

Has anyone else with this problem tried Sandy's fix and got it to work?

(No offense Sandy - I just don't want to go through the hassle if it won't fix it for me)

Thanks,

Ben

So, I haven't tried Sandy's technique, because it's a bit of work. No offense, Sandy. I'll explain why I haven't tried it, and that may help your own decision.

In a nutshell, I don't think it will work. Sandy initially said, "ORIGINALLY, what was causing this problem was the iPhone update 2.0.1" This is (I believe) incorrect. Those of us who started this thread had this problem immediately that 2.0 was released. The subject of the thread, however, is a little generic and I think other people with similar problems have since joined.

The second reason is that I'm a developer and computer scientist. For the problem that started with 2.0, Sandy's solution just doesn't make sense FROM A DEVELOPER'S PERSPECTIVE. Those of you who are developer's would be correct to point out that there are no absolutes in the field. Sandy's fix could be correct, and there's some really odd coding going on. However, I just don't see changing iTunes making a difference with whether a file plays on the iPod. This is largely because all my files play fine within iTunes. If they didn't, I'd jump at Sandy's suggestion. But given that they don't, it seems a distinctly fringe possibility to me that altering iTunes is going to change my iPod; The file is the same, and the software (on the iPod) playing it is the same. If I have a DVD that plays in my PSP, and plays in my car, and plays in my home entertainment system, but doesn't work in my xBox... sounds like the xbox is the problem. Or possibly a quirk in the DVD. But changing the firmware on my car stereo isn't going to help (unless it's a microsoft car?).

Finally, if you look at my previous posts, you will see that I CAN make the affected files play on the iPod by turning off H.264. This further supports the idea that the problem is with the iPod.

So, if you had the problem start directly with 2.0, and if your videos all play fine in iTunes but not on the iPod/Phone, then I doubt this fix will work. I could be wrong, but I'm unwilling to go to the work given my suspicions. If you cannot make your videos work any other way, or they don't play in iTunes, and it started in 2.0.1, then this may well work.

Hope this is of some help,

Markian

Message was edited by: Markian Hlynka

nope... tried Sandy's solution, problem persists.

I wasn't prepared to wait until Apple decide to release a fix for the issue either, so i downgraded to 1.1.4 with much difficulty and swearing.
I found this most helpful: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=AkgtvBX1kkE

I'm concerned about this problem.. what if apple decide they are not going to resolve the issue as it only affects videos encoded with certain software?
i use Nero Recode 3, as it is the most reliable and best quality app i've tried.

I'd rather use the older software, even though i have PAID for 2.0.2 - rather
than having to re-encode my 80GB+ video collection..
and i don't have access to the AVI's they were ripped from anyway!!
My primary reason for using the Touch is the video functionality, so it makes sense for me to downgrade until they've solved all the 2.0.2 issues

any other opinions on whether they will actually correct the problem or not??

thanks to all who have posted in this thread 🙂

I had posted a similar thread as I am having the same problems with a movie I had downloaded through iTunes. It works fine on my iPod but not on the iPhone. So it is the upgrade that is causing this snafu?

Great! I hope Apple figures out a way to fix this bug.. soon!

and here I was hoping to watch this movie on the iPhone while on a trip this weekend..

I have to agree wholeheartedly with Markian. Unless iPod updgrades 2.x.x somehow change the code of iTunes or more specifically, the QT components of iTunes, I see no logical way that the problem rests within iTunes.

As I said, I had over 160GB of video, almost all of it batch encoded to the Nero iPhone/iPod AVC and the only thing that ensured the file played back on my ipod was that it had been transferred to my Touch at some point while it had 1.x.x firmware. The slightly spooky bit revolves around the batch encoding....for example, I encoded 3 series of Weeds at the same time using Nero Recode 3, but only transferred the first two series to the Touch. The third had never been played either on the PC or Touch. However, it still plays on my touch with 2.0.2 installed. On the other hand, a series of Brotherhood I encoded over 6 months ago but never watched or transferred is goosed, because I converted it on it's own not batched with the first series, which is all I have watched.

My mate uses Handbrake on his Mac to convert his DVD collection for Apple TV and recommended I used it. I gve it a try but found Recode 3 gave me better and quicker results (personal preference, don't want to get into a debate, folks) but I did notice that, in the multitude of options, there was a little box that said Insert iPod atom. I realise that this revolves around the iPod 5/5.5 UUID atom but is it possible that iTunes is inserting a similar marker upon transfer of a file to a Touch/iPhone that handshakes with the device? This would kinda explain the above inconsistancies in playback....just my tuppence worth.....

Regards,

CP

Just a quick update....Nero have washed their hands of it. I quote...

Unfortunately we have noticed the same problem nut(sic) we think that this is a problem that Apple has to solve, because it worked before and we think that they have a problem with their firmware. Please contact Apple and ask them about this issue if there is a problem they can solve.

Looks like we're on our own as Apple don't even acknowledge the problem....if I've got time next week, I'll call Applecare....might as well get my money's worth.

Regards,
Chris

Anyone got any updates? I'm off work next week so will be calling Applecare....is there anything specific that people can give me to feed into the mill that is Apple Tech Support?

I just completed the upgrade to iTunes 8.0 and the iPod Touch software 2.1 and my issues with "THIS MOVIE FORMAT IS NOT SUPPORTED" from video that I convert using iSquint have completely disappeared! I tested it with a movie that I knew would kick off this error, I dragged it to my iPod Touch and it went thru the sync process and I tapped on it on my iPod Touch and it played as it used to do, without a problem. For me, the update has fixed this problem.

The new iTunes isn't working for me unfortunately.
Now it's not even acknowledging that it won't sync the videos - it just doesn't put them on the phone.

Now I'll cross my fingers for the iPhone update on Friday to fix this.

Upgraded to 2.1 on the Touch and 8 on iTunes, coded a new video using Nero's H.264 settings - iPod/iPhone AVC, which failed to work before and pop, we have a working video. I guess I can go back to h.264 now. Not sure if this is now officially fixed as I wasn't having the issue over iTunes purchased video. It would be nice tho if Apple would let us know what exactly happened and what the fix was, as this may be a recurring problem otherwise.

Yes, I found the iTunes 8.0/iPod Touch 2.1 software upgrade worked for me as well.

My collection of H.264 format MP4s captured using TubeSock had worked fine prior to the iPod Touch 2.0 software upgrade but thereafter I got the "THIS MOVIE FORMAT IS NOT SUPPORTED" message when I tried to play H.264 format MP4s on the iPod Touch. This persisted through the 2.0.1 and 2.0.2 updates but has finally been fixed with 2.1. upgrade.

Ok, iTunes doesn't give me the "THIS FORMAT IS NOT SUPPORTED," message, but the videos still don't show up on my phone. What gives?
Did people have to do a restore on the phone to get it to work?
Is there a way to reset all of this?

ARRRGGHHH!