Q: Home movie (.mov) won't transfer to iPad ??

What format is the .mov in? What compression settings did you use?

Videos for the iPad should be encoded to comply with:

H.264 video up to 720p, 30 frames per second, Main Profile level 3.1 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) up to 35 Mbps, 1280 by 720 pixels, 30 frames per second, audio in ulaw, PCM stereo audio in .avi file format

Codecs: IMA 4:1, H.263

As Julian indicated, this is not compatible (IMA 4:1 audio is not AAC-LC audio and H.263 is neither MPEG-4 nor H.264 video content in an MOV file container).

Basically, anything in an MOV file container can be described as a "QuickTime movie." This does not, however, make it compatible with "device" players which normally contain a "sub-set" of the codecs found in the main QT player and/or as modified by each user by installing third-party components--something not allowed by device players. Simply select the file and use the iTunes "Advanced" menu to convert this file to an iPod, iPhone or similar compatible compression format for playback on your iPad. (This will not, however, improve the quality of your 320x240 source movie and converting to larger device formats will only waste storage space.)

I have movie that I shot with my iPhone that won't transfer to my iPad. Is that right? Surely Apple doesn't need us to convert every iPHONE video we take just to get it to the iPad. That seems very un-Apple like.

Video is H.264, 640x480, Millions AAC, Mono, 44.100 kHz.

I have movie that I shot with my iPhone that won't transfer to my iPad. Is that right?

It can be the case and you would not be the first individual to have had problems getting iPhone content to their Apple devices. The basic problem is likely one of error trapping by iTunes. Video capture/conversion by the iPhone, QT 7 Pro, and QT X is not what I would call the most stable/reliable method of sourcing video content and is the main reason I normally recommend using dedicated devices like a video camcorder. While all of my tests made today in an effort to respond to this question did, in fact, sync properly to my iPad, there were some suspicious readings.

From your "quick" description of your content, I assume you are attempting to sync the raw video files created by the iPhone and not a more stable, re-compressed variation such as created for emailing or other use. Analysis of such files indicates the these files use the Baseline Profile limited to Level 3.0 limitations. Further, mine contain an undefined "reference" frame which would normally be a P-frame. On the other hand, if you content indicates the use of two reference frames, that would likely indicate the inclusion of B-frames which would not by supported and would likely be trapped on by iTunes during a sync attempt. Another suspicious result of analysis was the variation found in the frame rate. I made a number of tests under varying conditions and of varying duration. In some cases this frame rate varied between a minimum of 14 fps to a maximum in excess of 35 fps with averages between 18 and 31 fps in my tests. This, it may theoretically be possible for a iPhone to create a file having either an average frame rate or a maximum frame rate in excess of that allowed for the Baseline Profile at the 3.0 level. Unfortunately, I have no specific information here but one might assume that since a resolution of 720x480 is limited to 30 fps, then a 640x480 resolution file may be limited to something on the order of 33.75 fps. In a similar manner, BP L3.0 files are also limited regarding the number of modulus-16 blocks allowed per second and could be an additional parameter on which iTunes might error trap your content have excessive frame rates.

If I were you, I would simply try re-compressing a problem file, try to sync it, and, it it then syncs correctly, compare the two files to determine where your problem lies.

Apple doesn't need us to convert every iPHONE video we take just to get it to the iPad.

I would not expect that to be the case unless there is something actually wrong with your device. Basically, if only random files cause a problem, then I would assume your iPhone is working normally and would simply avoid conditions (lighting, subject complexity, etc.) which contribute to the problem. On the other hand, if all files have this problem, then you may want to consider having your iPhone checked for a possible defect.

Interesting. I'll try syncing again and see what happens. Thanks for the info. I'll post again once I have some more tests done.

If you have Apples camera connection kit you can hook up the iPhone to the iPad and transfer either photos or videos or both at the same time to the iPad. Yes the videos will play on the iPad.

Message was edited by: David M Brewer

Thanks for the info. I'll post again once I have some more tests done.

Would appreciate feedback regarding anything new you come across. Also, if you have a short problem file that can be posted or emailed for analysis/comparison against test files currently on hand, that might also be of help.

You can use the app. Photo Transfer from the app store to transfer up to 50 images and videos at the sometime between the iPad or iPhone.

Thanks David. I'm really looking for a more basic feature though, and not having to do a work around just to get it to work. There's no reason I shouldn't be able to import my iPhone videos into my Mac, and then sync those videos to my iPad. You'd think I'd never have a problem going from iPhone to iPad since they're both made by Apple, and since Apple wants people to shoot videos on their iPhones and then sync them to their iPads. I can't believe that Apple purposely changed the format so that you have to convert your video first. There must be something else I'm missing.

Convert the iPhone videos so they sync to the iPad. Why? The app I mention let's you send the videos to the iPad directly from the iPhone. No backup or syncing or hooking up to the computer. YouTube has a few videos using the camera connection kit showing how to transfer the videos and photos to the iPad from the iPhone.

David, thank you for your suggestion. It's a great one, and I'm sure it would work wonderfully.

Though your suggestion will get the end result, the end result is not the reason for my post. Many people have been plugging in their iPods to their computers to sync their content (music, photos, videos, etc.) for almost a decade, so that's a routine they've created for themselves. There's no reason that they should have to interrupt that routine just to get a basic function to work. They should be able to import their iPhone photos/videos to their computer, and then plug in their iPad to their computer and sync those photos/videos to the iPad. Though your solution would get the videos to the iPad, it would involve adding another step to the process, and though that might be fine for you, is not fine for many people. I work for a Mac support company, and we cater to people who are not comfortable with technology (i.e. older people who do not post or read forums, as you and I do), so creating a simple and easy routine is very important in order for them to have a stress-free experience with their iDevices. You'd be amazed at how many people are stressed out by an iPhone, or syncing an iPad, or other things. As easy as these devices are, and as easy as the Mac is, there are many people who still find it overwhelming.

My belief is that we shouldn't have to do any of these workarounds (an app to get videos to my iPad), just because we shouldn't. It's not like Apple to make me jump through hoops to get my iContent to another iDevice.

For many people, the process is more important than the result. They want it to be easy, and plugging in a cord to their computer to sync ALL their data (media, info, etc.) is far easier than plugging it in to sync their music to their computer, and then using another app to sync their videos between their iDevices. They come home, plug in their device, and they are done. They shouldn't have to stray from that routine.

I will check out your app suggestion though, as it may be something I use personally down the road, or perhaps I will suggest it to some of our more advanced users.

Thank you again for your help!

The app I mention won't let you transfer videos between the iPhone and the iPad only photos. I misread the directions for the app. If you want to transfer videos to the iPad, you can only transfer videos from the computer to the device.

As for storing videos on the iPad the are three places where videos can be stored, the video app, photo app and third party apps. Amazing that there is not interaction between these apps and work around has to used. I want to put my flip videos onto the iPad. I can't because the iPad doesn't like the flip camera format. I have to use GoodReader or convert the videos to a format that the iPad will use. It's time consuming and not worth it.
I was hoping that I could just plug the flip camera into the iPad with the camera connection kit and be done with it, apparently not.

As for ease of use, you'll have to ask Apple why they limit the iPad in the way they do. I do agree with you.