Custom video dimensions in iBooks Author?

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Level 1

0 points

Custom video dimensions in iBooks Author?

I wanted my video to fit in an odd, custom dimension which appears like a vertical rectangle. I have cropped the video to the desired dimensions in pre-production using Handbrake and exported it as a m4v file. However, iBooks Author did not allow me to import the video and suggested as usual to reexport it in Quicktime in the correct format. Is there something missing from the converted video file or is it just that iBooks Author does not allow odd custom dimension videos? How can I fix this problem? I have also tried reexporting my video in Quicktime as a m4v file, but the export failed because Quicktime does not allow these custom dimension videos as well.

Posted on Jul 22, 2012 9:55 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 22, 2012 10:00 PM in response to Turtle Mike2

As best as I know, you cannot use Handbrake-encoded video in IBA (even though the same video plays on the iPad just fine if you use it with iTunes, for example). See this thread for more info.

It looks like you are currently stuck with the video dimensions that are possible with Quicktime.

Michi.

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Answer 2

tk0us

Level 2

265 points

Jul 23, 2012 8:50 AM in response to Turtle Mike2

try using a Keynote slide for your video or make your own html widget and embed it - both can have unique dimensions

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Answer 3

K T

Level 7

23,865 points

Jul 23, 2012 9:07 AM in response to Turtle Mike2

Videos should respect the aspect ratios that they are created with. I wouldn't call that being 'stuck' 🙂

You can always make a slideshow instead...

Ken

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Answer 4

Jul 23, 2012 11:15 AM in response to K T

K T wrote:

Videos should respect the aspect ratios that they are created with.\

Should they? Where does it say that? The OP created a video with a particular aspect ratio. It looks like it's QT thtat doesn't respect that aspect ratio.

Michi.

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Answer 5

K T

Level 7

23,865 points

Jul 23, 2012 11:32 AM in response to MichiHenning

We don't know what the original ratio was...

Respecting isn't the same thing as restricting for a specific platform. If it wasn't respected, the OP could never have used it w/QT to begin with.

It was iBA that lacked respect, not QT.

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Answer 6

tk0us

Level 2

265 points

Jul 23, 2012 1:18 PM in response to Turtle Mike2

"However, iBooks Author did not allow me to import the video and suggested as usual to reexport it in Quicktime in the correct format."

Use QuickTime and File > Export for Web. Take the new file and see if your custom dimensions are in tact. if they are - fine

If not - try putting your existing video on a slide in Keynote and make the slide the custom size of your video. Share the Keynote to HTML and see if Author will accept that

hope this helps

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