Encoding Video for iPod

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Level 1

129 points

Encoding Video for iPod

I'm not getting much help with b-testing, so here it is.

http://burro.allhyper.com/

The package to encode video for iPod more flexibly than currently possible. Is was tested with MPEG-4 encoded media and it works fine both in iTunes and current version of video iPod. H.264 was not tested but it should work as well. Let me know if it doesn't.

Posted on Oct 30, 2005 6:08 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 31, 2005 10:03 AM in response to Big Burro

I would love to tell you that the H.264 method worked, but it didn't. I really need to be able to convert files in compressor to an H.264 format that works with the iPod, but I've not been able to find a method. MPEG4 output from Compressor works, but the quality stinks.

Everything goes smoothly with your method until you actually try to upload the video to the iPod, then I get the message that the video isn't supported on the iPod.

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Answer 2

Big Burro Author

Level 1

129 points

Oct 31, 2005 10:18 AM in response to Jeremy West1

thanks for the info, will investigate further. I'm surprised though you find MPEG-4 stinking, at 2048 it should be better than DVD relatively speaking. I'll post an example later. Also if your hunch that this has to do with H.264 baseline vs mainline is correct and it likely is, we are stuck until Apple decides to expose that codec option in Compressor and QTP. At this point it appears iPod H264 format remains propriety for all practical purposes.

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Answer 3

Oct 31, 2005 10:53 AM in response to Big Burro

I should have clarified that the MPEG4 at the same bit rate was what I was disappointed in. We are planning on distributing these files via video Podcast, so file size is a concern.

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Answer 4

Big Burro Author

Level 1

129 points

Oct 31, 2005 11:44 AM in response to Big Burro

here is iPod compatible MPEG4 encoded file (generated using my instructions)
http://www.sharemation.com/wg/testMPG4.mp4.m4v.zip?uniq=-37u876

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Answer 5

Big Burro Author

Level 1

129 points

Oct 31, 2005 1:29 PM in response to Jeremy West1

Jeremy, to verify your hypo (baseline vs mainline H264) try to generate your file in QTP (mp4 output, H264 codec, baseline Video Option). Process the resulting file with mpg42ipod tool and see if it plays on iPod. If it still doesn't the profile is irrelevant, header processing in mpg42ipod has issues and that I could try to correct.

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Answer 6

Big Burro Author

Level 1

129 points

Oct 31, 2005 2:11 PM in response to Big Burro

bandwidth exhausted, looking for a place to host it burro@gawab.com

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Answer 7

Nov 2, 2005 8:21 AM in response to Big Burro

Burro,

The videos that I export from QT Pro by choosing MP4 output and specifing H264 Baseline play fine on the iPod even without running it through the mpg42ipod conversion. However, the problem is still with Compressor for us. We want to be able to use Compressor to batch some stuff and to set up a Compressor render farm among several workstations, not to mention some of the Applescripting that Compressor gives us.

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Answer 8

zwarbo

Level 2

160 points

Nov 2, 2005 3:56 PM in response to Big Burro

I have not tested this software yet, but it looks to be the easiest way to get files in the correct format for the iPod.

http://www.splasm.com/products/productpodner.html

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Answer 9

Big Burro Author

Level 1

129 points

Nov 2, 2005 7:13 PM in response to Jeremy West1

I sympathize with you, your plan makes perfect sense. Unfortunately Compressor in its current incarnation is severely crippled. I see no easy way to get Compressor to generate iPod H.264. It appears they output H.264 in mainline profile (that's what the header says) and iPod's specs say baseline only. Just for fun I changed the profile code in a file produced by Compressor. This is brute force attract that is bound to fail. See the file http://www.sharemation.com/wg/abaselinetest.m4v?uniq=49qjfi , which is unlikely to work on iPod but who knows?

In short patience my friends, wait for Apple to upgrade Compressor, they will do it one day.

--
In the meantime I honestly see little wrong with MPEG-4. It's a much quicker codec than H.264, it goes to 480X480 on iPod which will be passable when played on TV. And it works on iPod if you follow my instructions above. The only problem is size (2- 3 times larger for similar spacial quality) but that can be somewhat ameliorated by encoding at 24fps or less. This tendency to stay with 29.97 makes zero sense when coding for iPod. Transcode to 24 at least!

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Answer 10

Jan 28, 2006 8:49 PM in response to zwarbo

A related question:

Is there a difference between a) video for the ipod and b) video for podcasting (not necessarily viewed on an ipod, but viewed perhaps only on itunes).

Is there a square vs. rectangular issue present there?

thanks.

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Answer 11

Feb 2, 2006 6:25 PM in response to Big Burro

I'd like to report that my problem has been solved! What I had not seen before was the setting in QT to use the "Baseline" setting. That made all the difference.

For others, the setting can only be found by doing the following:

Use the Movie to MPEG-4 setting
File format: MP4
Video format: H.264
This will give a "Video Option" button. Change to "Baseline"

That's the key. After that, any settings can be used, such as data rate, frame rate, etc.

Here's what I now use:
(Under the Video Options button) Restrict Profile to Baseline
Encoding mode: Best quality (multi-pass)
Video format: H.264
Data rate: 75 kbps
Optimized for download
Image size 320x240 QVGA
Frame Rate: 15fps
Key frame automatic

Audio: AAC-LC
Data rate: 48
Channels: Mono
Output Sample rate: 44.100
Encoding Quality: Best

I want to thank all those who gave us input both here and in other discussions!

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