iPod Video Woes? - Nero Recode 2 Works Great!
Well, like many of you, I've tried to convert video unsuccessfully to my iPod. I've tried Videora, PSP Video 9 and a few other programs. Not ONE of these programs has created a successful video that can be ported to the iPod (even though, for some, that's ALL they are advertised to do). The Videora iPod Converter is a program to convert, yet it doesn't work for me AT ALL... even using the SP modes. Sure, it loads into iTunes fine, but getting it to load into the actual iPod is another, sad, sad story! LOL!
We all are aware that, as of right now, the H.264 codec doesn't seem to be working for many of us and MPEG-4 is, so I finally got my iPod and tried Nero Recode 2 today (part of the Nero 7 Ultra Edition).
Using Nero Recode 2, I was successful in not only creating 320x240 files that loaded into iTunes, but they also loaded right into my new iPod with no playback problems, errors, or skipping. I used a 1.78:1 16:9 source (a DVD that was ripped to my hard drive) and loaded it into Nero using the following settings:
In AUDIO #1 I set it to:
STEREO (CUSTOM PROFILE) LC (LOW COMPLEXITY) NERO DIGITAL AUDIO @ 48,000 Hz and 160 kbit/s
For VIDEO the Setting I used the slider to set the "Video Quality" to 764.6 Kbps
Make sure you UNCHECK the "Fit to Target" box and then click on the VIDEO button on the right (underneath the CHAPTER button). Since it was an anamorphic DVD I was using, I disabled "Deinterlace", disabled "Crop" and I resized to 320x240 and checked the LETTERBOXING (SQUARE PIXEL) box. Checking this box is necessary with anamorphic material so that the final file you create will be properly letterboxed (not stretched) in the 320x240 display on the iPod (it'll have the black bars properly placed at the top and bottom of the video).
Click NEXT after adjusting the above settings...
In NERO DIGITAL SETTINGS, make sure EXPERT MODE is checked.
Encoding Method = High-Quality Encoding (2 pass)
Quality/Speed = Extra Quality
Advanced = Check "Simple Profile (QuickTime Compatibility)"
Then hit BURN and come back in a couple hours.
Your file should be done and ready to load onto your iPod with very nice picture and sound quality and in the proper aspect ratio for the iPod screen.
The ONLY thing I wish Nero Recode could do is, like in Videora and PSP Video 9, raise the volume level of the encoded sound. I watched my movie through the headphones on my iPod and it sounded great, but I had the volume turned all the way up to the max. I wish there was a setting to boost the audio a bit, but at least the videos actually WORK!
I hope this helps you all.
I have used the above settings for three films so far and all are fine. They range between 600-800 meg in size. That's big, but I have a 60 gig iPod, so I have plenty of room. If you want smaller files, maybe try 128kbit/s instead of 160 kbit/s for the audio and lower the video bit rate slider a bit.
We all are aware that, as of right now, the H.264 codec doesn't seem to be working for many of us and MPEG-4 is, so I finally got my iPod and tried Nero Recode 2 today (part of the Nero 7 Ultra Edition).
Using Nero Recode 2, I was successful in not only creating 320x240 files that loaded into iTunes, but they also loaded right into my new iPod with no playback problems, errors, or skipping. I used a 1.78:1 16:9 source (a DVD that was ripped to my hard drive) and loaded it into Nero using the following settings:
In AUDIO #1 I set it to:
STEREO (CUSTOM PROFILE) LC (LOW COMPLEXITY) NERO DIGITAL AUDIO @ 48,000 Hz and 160 kbit/s
For VIDEO the Setting I used the slider to set the "Video Quality" to 764.6 Kbps
Make sure you UNCHECK the "Fit to Target" box and then click on the VIDEO button on the right (underneath the CHAPTER button). Since it was an anamorphic DVD I was using, I disabled "Deinterlace", disabled "Crop" and I resized to 320x240 and checked the LETTERBOXING (SQUARE PIXEL) box. Checking this box is necessary with anamorphic material so that the final file you create will be properly letterboxed (not stretched) in the 320x240 display on the iPod (it'll have the black bars properly placed at the top and bottom of the video).
Click NEXT after adjusting the above settings...
In NERO DIGITAL SETTINGS, make sure EXPERT MODE is checked.
Encoding Method = High-Quality Encoding (2 pass)
Quality/Speed = Extra Quality
Advanced = Check "Simple Profile (QuickTime Compatibility)"
Then hit BURN and come back in a couple hours.
Your file should be done and ready to load onto your iPod with very nice picture and sound quality and in the proper aspect ratio for the iPod screen.
The ONLY thing I wish Nero Recode could do is, like in Videora and PSP Video 9, raise the volume level of the encoded sound. I watched my movie through the headphones on my iPod and it sounded great, but I had the volume turned all the way up to the max. I wish there was a setting to boost the audio a bit, but at least the videos actually WORK!
I hope this helps you all.
I have used the above settings for three films so far and all are fine. They range between 600-800 meg in size. That's big, but I have a 60 gig iPod, so I have plenty of room. If you want smaller files, maybe try 128kbit/s instead of 160 kbit/s for the audio and lower the video bit rate slider a bit.
