MP4 does not work on 5th gen Ipod?

It usually turns out that your setting are too "liberal." Try tightening them up. If using high data rates, lower them. If using muti-pass mode, try the single pass mode. If using the newer H.264 version of the MPEG4 codec, make sure you are using the basline profile or try switching to older MPEG4 codec.

2.0GHZ G5/533MHz G4 DeskTop/400MHz G4 PB Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Re-name the files, add them to itunes and update the pod. use no odd symbols especially [ ]. This often works.

yes but some MP4 movies play (can be copied to ipod) and others can't be copied, they are all written with same settings in handbrake...

You, like many other users, seem to be under the mistaken impression that one setting works for all movies. This simply is not true unless all your movies have the same ratio of dark-to-light scenes in the same places, the same amount of action in the same places, and the same "graphic compexity" of objects in the same places, etc. The fact is, each and every movie is different. And, while settings can be generalized, one group of settings is just not appropriate for all situations.

For instance, I am currently working on my 8th attempt to convert on particular clip. Unfortunately, in order to modify contrast, increase saturation, crop, and scale the movie in a single application, I have to use one that employs a very "loose" conversion algorithm. Since the first several minutes of the clip pushes the video data rate through the roof. (Last test was targeted at 300 kbps but initial movie content still jumps transient peak to 1.0 mbps before dropping to more conservative average video level of 396 kbps). And, since there is such a wide variation in data rates, clamping the data rate by using the single pass mode works fine at the beginning of the movie but produces unacceptably low quality in some scenes later in the clip. So, here I am, incrementally dropping the multipass video data rate and bumping up my quality setting in the hope of finding a satisfactory combination that mill meet my requirements for both quality and file size.

2.0GHZ G5/533MHz G4 DeskTop/400MHz G4 PB Mac OS X (10.4.3)

I'm sure what you say is true, but perhaps this is so just for Mac users using Handbrake.
I have a PC and use PQ DVD for all my video and movie conversions and have nver once had to fiddle with settings. They all convert equally well, every time. I've converted 30 or more vids and movies. Too bad PQ is just for windows.
I would have returned my Pod long ago if I had to go through what you do just to get a movie on it.

I have a PC and use PQ DVD for all my video and movie conversions and have nver once had to fiddle with settings. They all convert equally well, every time. I've converted 30 or more vids and movies.

Maybe by the time you've got 800-1000 clips uder your belt you will find one or two that need a little extra work. And if you get the chance, try something a bit more challenging than a pristine DVD -- like a 1930's black and white classic from the public domain library or an early 1940's color film requiring some creative restoration and then see if things run as smoothly during your conversions.

2.0GHZ G5/533MHz G4 DeskTop/400MHz G4 PB Mac OS X (10.4.3)

This is mainly because your question doesn't have a "set" answer. The BEST solution would be to use Export to iPod, but that takes a VERY long time. The reason why it takes so long is because it goes over your entire video first to determine where all the problem spots are, and then compresses those differently. What you end up with is a very good looking video with few artifacts (stripes).

The problem with encoding video for the iPod is that on the one end of a sliding scale you have speed. On the other end, you have quality. If you want more speed, you'll have less quality. If you want more quality, it'll be VERY slow. With some easy to compress media, it's easy to find a solution more towards the speed side of things. However, as you've found, there is SOME media that really does need the extra time to be encoded properly.

Now, another specific problem you may be having is that Handbrake's setting may be for AVERAGE bit rate. If this is the case, then there may be parts of that video that momentarily go above the iPod's specifications (the parts with high motion would be suspect). iTunes checks the entire file (not just what the average bitrate is) and if any part of it is beyond the iPod's specs, then it gets refused. The only thing you can try is to lower the bitrate by 100 and see if that works. Unfortunately, that's going to make the high motion areas look even WORSE...which goes back to quality versus speed.

This is mainly because your question doesn't have a "set" answer.

Well put!

2.0GHZ G5/533MHz G4 DeskTop/400MHz G4 PB Mac OS X (10.4.3)

that is all really nice, but not really an answer to any of my questions
somebody a good solution

Alas, you have not really asked any good questions. For instance, you wanted to know if the default average data rate setting was too high. Unfortunately, you don't say which codec/format your are trying to use. If MPEG4, then the settting should be good for most movies. If H.264, then the movie will almost definitely not be iPod compatible. You are looking for a panacea where none exists. If you want specific answers or recommendations, then you must provide specific information about your goals, the target settings you are using, and the source movie content. A creepy mystery film would predominately contain less action and a lot of dark, suspenseful scenes while an action movie would likely contain lots of action against both static and rapidly moving backgrounds of varying graphic complexities. Depending on your "tolerance" for encoding speed and demand for final quality, different settings could and should be used.

In addition, you have not stated what other software might be available for use on your computer. You, could for instance, use HandBrake to simply rip and then create an intermdiate format which could then be converted to your final fomat by a secondary application that has a much "tighter" conversion algorithm with few or no user settings to confuse you. Podner, is a very tight converter only application. Forty-TwoDVD-VXPlus is a reasonably "tight" extractor/converter but not a decrypter. Neither is free, however. In the final analysis, you get what you pay for. And, while HandBrake is a very capable application in the right hands, you must learn how to use it properly to get the most out of it.

It never ceases to amaze me how a student readily understands the importance of practice to train an athelet's mind and body as to how to react in sports but totally fails to see the relevance of homework in training the mind for problem solving by first recognizing and then classifying the nature of the problem at hand. Before you can decide on how to get to where you want to be, you must first know where you are and where you want to end up. The best advice I can give is to join your local Apple/Mac User Group and get some one-on-one time with an experienced video user. (Many goups have a Video SIG which specializes in video specific problems and questions.) As a last resort, if you really want an answer here, how about capturing and posting a JPEG of your typical HandBrake settings and posting it to the Internet or sending it in an E-mail.

2.0GHZ G5/533MHz G4 DeskTop/400MHz G4 PB Mac OS X (10.4.3)

but unfortunately ponder is not freeware J anybody a ser nr?? J please just ask my mail J

Simply brilliant.

Hi! Ihad the same problem but found a neat web-page...
howto.diveintomark.org/ipod-dvd-ripping-guide/
Have fun! The key is the bitrate...

BTW Watching videos really dries your battery out.

PowerBook Mac OS X (10.4.3)

PowerBook Mac OS X (10.4.3)