Compressing video for iPod using QuickTime 7 Pro ("expert")

Hi all,
I purchased QuickTime 7 Pro thinking I would be able to compress 640x480 H.264 video for an iPod. I have a specific application that requires precise control over the compression -- that is, the no-option "Movie to iPod" export setting ain't gonna cut it.
I have tried many, many different setting combinations using "Movie to MPEG-4" and "Movie to QuickTime Movie" under "File" --> "Export" in QuickTime, and I have been careful to limit sizes and bitrates per iPod tech specs as published on the Apple Web site. However, while all of the H.264 files I have output will open in iTunes, none of them will sync to my iPod. Videos I output using standard MPEG-4 compression will sync to my iPod (and look awful), but videos using H.264 will not.
Does anyone know what settings I can use to export 640x480 H.264 video to my iPod, and how I can have more control over the process than just "Movie to iPod?"
Thanks!
-- Joey
What I got (the technical details):
WinXP Pro with all the latest updates on Intel
5G 60GB iPod w/ firmware ver 1.2
QuickTime 7.1.3 Pro
iTunes 7.0.1.8
multiple Wintel machines Windows XP Pro

Welcome to the discussions, Joeysirmons.
The developer that created VisualHub (Only for the Mac) has discovered how to create iPod compatible 640x480 video where the user has full control over the compression. The changes he made were to some public libraries so these methods should be finding their way to the ffmpeg based tools for Windows soon.

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Compressing video for n97 using MAC ONLY SOFTWARE

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Resolution: nHD 640x360
Bitrate: 1.5 Mbps or 1 Mbps
Framerate: 29.97 or 25 or whatever the source is.
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That's what I would use.
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Encode DV to H.264 for iPod with Quicktime Pro - iPod won't play file

Hello,
I have been trying to encode Microsoft DV or Pinnacle DV AVIs into MPEG4 (H.264) for iPod, BUT the resulting files do NOT play in an iPod!?
I use Quicktime Pro for Windows (v7.1) and use the Apple recommended settings, here are the exact settings I have tried and failed in an iPod;
VIDEO: H.264 at 200kbps, Baseline Profile, 25fps, Auto Key Frames, 320x240 or 640x480, Multipass Best quality encoding.
AUDIO: AAC Audio at 96kbps, 24kHz sampling freq, Stereo.
I'm actually doing it for a client and they cannot play the file, they apparently have to 'convert' my file in their MAC based iTunes for it to work.
Anyhow can anyone please give me an idea if I am doing something wrong?
Regards,
J
PC Windows XP

Do you have H.264 codec enabled in the plugins list of Firefox?
Does this happen in the most recent version of JWplayer?
There was an error loading the media:
"Media resource http://media.vineyardinstitute.org/other/vi_announcement/05_kingdom_theology.mp4 could not be decoded. firefox-test.html
13:43:48.280 "Error playing media: " MediaError { code: 3 } jwplayer.js:11:373
13:43:48.280 "CAPTIONS([object Object])""
jwplayer("myElement").setup({
playlist: [{
image: "http://media.vineyardinstitute.org/other/vi_announcement/images/05_kingdom_theology.jpg",
sources: [
{ file: "http://media.vineyardinstitute.org/other/vi_announcement/05_kingdom_theology.mp4" }
title: "Kingdom Theology",
description: "A look at what makes VI theologically unique.",
height: 720,
listbar: {
position: 'bottom',
size: 240,
thumbs: 'false',
repeat: 'list',
width: 640,
You might also find better help with this error on the JWplayer support site:
*similar topic/error: [http://support.jwplayer.com/customer/portal/questions/6062663--error-loading-media-file-could-not-be-played-error-in-jw-player-6-while-playing-mp4-with-chrome-html5]
In that one there were two errors: needed a higher version of Flash installed and the codec issue. As you mentioned this had been narrowed down to the codec of the mp4 file. And this codec is added with the default cisco h.264 player. [https://gigaom.com/2014/10/14/h-264-support-arrives-in-firefox-thanks-to-cisco-but-h-264-web-videos-still-wont-play/]

Help: DV Windows Movie Maker - M4V for iPod 640x480 QuickTime Pro

Good morning,
I have a few home videos on a 300GB hard drive, originally taken with my PAL DV camcorder, saved as AVI files using Windows Movie Maker when I was still using my Windows XP system for video editing, which I would like to convert to H.264 for long term storage on my Mac and view on my video capable iPod.
I am working on an Intel processor based computer with a registered version of QuickTime Pro and an up-to-date operating system.
Opening the files in QuickTime Player and inspecting them via the traditional Movie Info window reports the expected information:
Format: DV, 720 x 576 (768 x 576), Millions, Stereo, 48.000 kHz
FPS: 25
If I attempt to convert them to my target format of choice using a simple File -> Export -> Movie to iPod, I get, of course, an interlaced video which I promptly File -> Move to Trash.
If I convert them to an intermediate QuickTime format ("Move to QuickTime Movie", mov, Options -> Size -> Deinterlace source video) and then transcode them via the aforementioned "Move to iPod" method, I get good quality m4v files for the size, which play on my iPod, fully satisfying my quality requirements.
This intermediate step is time consuming though, and I am sure unnecessary, and I am looking for a more elegant way of accomplishing the above. I have limited time to investigate this personally so I am asking for a little help, which I am prepare to reward.
After having looked at the published iPod specifications, I have tried to File -> Export -> Movie to QuickTime Movie and manually applying encoding settings as follows:
Compression Type: H.264
Frame rate: Current fps
Key Frames: Automatic
Frame Reordering: Enabled
Data Rate: Restrict to 1500 kbits/sec (inspired by the spec)
Encoding: Best Quality (multi-pass)
Optimised for: CD/DVD-ROM
Size: Dimensions 640 x 480 VGA (Deinterlace Source Video)
The resulting video file does not play back on my iPod and is inferior in quality to those I produce through the intermediate step described previously.
Questions:
1) how can I encode and deinterlace PAL DV videos for H.264 storage and iPod playback in 640x480 in one go?
2) how do I get the best quality/size ratio I possibly can out of process 1) ?
3) is there any way to batch process multiple files in a given folder?
Many thanks in advance for your help!
best regards,
Maroloccio
Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Thanks for you post, Jon, but my questions remain largely unanswered.
Sorry, must have been half asleep when I attempted to respond.
After having looked at the published iPod specifications, I have tried to File -> Export -> Movie to QuickTime Movie and manually applying encoding settings as follows:
Compression Type: H.264
Frame rate: Current fps
Key Frames: Automatic
Frame Reordering: Enabled
Data Rate: Restrict to 1500 kbits/sec (inspired by the spec)
Encoding: Best Quality (multi-pass)
Optimised for: CD/DVD-ROM
Size: Dimensions 640 x 480 VGA (Deinterlace Source Video)
The resulting video file does not play back on my iPod and is inferior in quality to those I produce through the intermediate step described previously.
This approach does not work because neither the "Movie to QT > H.264" nor the "Movie to MPEG-4" have access to the Baseline LC profile. Only Mac applications I know of that currently access this profile are the current QT Pro/iTunes, ViddyUp! (v1.7), and ffmpegX (v0.0.9x).
1) I have downloaded Streamclip and tried to do as you suggested but the output video still doesn't play on my iPod. Again, I am looking for a tested workflow which would spare me the time it takes to get fully acquainted with the intricacies of H.264 profiles. I will certainly want to learn more about this in the near future, but for the time being I just need a solution to convert my media catalogue.
Sorry, was concentrating so much on the de-interlace issue that I completely forgot you wanted an iPod compatible target file. Only Mac application that seems to offer both de-interlace and direct Baseline LC profile is ffmpegX v0.0.9x. Have not used the de-interlace feature in this application, so I don't know how well it works. (In addition, its crop/scale option does not work to my satisfaction nor does it allow me to source multiple VOB files or a single VOB in excess of 4 GBs.) On the other hand, I do use de-interlace in MPEG streamclip on a regular basis and, while it is a bit "soft," have found it satisfactory. However, I create a QT DV/DVPRO intermediate file which is crop/scaled and make brightness, contrast, saturation and/or volume adjustments "on the fly" at the same time. Using this format is much quicker than encoding to H.264 twice.
2) If I am to believe the published iPod specs, your suggestion would not work on one, at least not on the current generation.
Yes, really blew it there thinking all you wanted was an H.264/AAC file that did not need to be iPod compatible.
3) Parallel processing results in thrashing of resources, I believe for these scenarios enqueueing works better.
Have not encountered any serious problems using this approach on the G5. Believe it does increase processing time to a small degree while "thrashing between resources," but comes in handy when converting a series of files while I go to a doctor's appointment (did 4 Doctor Who episodes on Tuesday this way), go shopping, pay bills, etc.

Creating videos for web with QuickTime Pro

HI,
I need to create videos for my web site that are compatible with the Ipod. However, I also need to create a file that can be played on a PC, without requiring the use to install a plug in (e.g. Flash or similar).
Does QuickTime Pro have anything that can help me produce a video that is compatible with both the Ipod and the standard PC web browser?
Thanks very much,
Jamie Dolan

Every video format will require a browser plug-in be used.

Which one should I use to compress video for iPod/iPhone?

Hi
I have a quicktime movie. Should I export from the quicktime player to iPod setting or should I go through compressor?
The last time I did it through both applications-- Quicktime was fast--Compressor took a while but the quality of them looked the same.
What do you guys think?
Thanks

I normally use the iPhone preset in Compressor.

Optimizing / compressing video for web with Quicktime

I have a ~70mb (3 minutes long) m4v video that I need to get to a much more reasonable file size for playing on a site that will primarily be accessed via iPad.
I don't know if it matters, but the video will need to play automatically upon page load.
I've read through a few tutorials for doing this with Quicktime, however I think I'm missing something..
From the Export pop-up menu, there should seemingly be an option to choose "Movie to QuickTime Movie." I have only 480p and iPod/iPhone/iPad options(which I believe would result in a viewing frame that is too small).
How can I proceed with web-optimizing this file in Quicktime? (Or is there a better solution? I tried Sorenson Squeeze, but that had a large watermark..)

I have a ~70mb (3 minutes long) m4v video that I need to get to a much more reasonable file size for playing on a site that will primarily be accessed via iPad.
File size is directly proportional to the combined total data rate of your file. If you want a smaller file, then you need to reduce the audio + video data rate of the file. Unfortunately, overly reducing the data rate can adversely affect the audio/video quality of the file. Depending on the encode settings (data rate, encode matrix dimensions, display dimensions, entropy option, intra/inter frame options, number of encode passes, etc.), user tolerance for minimum quality level, the specific target ISP speeds required, application to be used, etc., the possibilities are relatively endless. Basically, the file you describe above has a combined total data rate on the order of 3.1 Mbps. Such a data rate might be considered low for a full 1080p file, adequate for a 720p file, or excessive for a VGA file depending on the graphic complexity of the file. In short, it is difficult to properly answer your question without additional information or actually seeing the file in question. (I.e., proper encoding of content is as much an art as a science.)
I don't know if it matters, but the video will need to play automatically upon page load.
It may matter depending on how the web site is coded and/or how the content is to be accessed by the target iPad device.
From the Export pop-up menu, there should seemingly be an option to choose "Movie to QuickTime Movie." I have only 480p and iPod/iPhone/iPad options(which I believe would result in a viewing frame that is too small).
The option and tutorial you reference require the use of QT 7 Pro which the option you reference sounds nore like a QT X player export option. (Once, again, what you can do will depend on the software you are trying to use to create your file and a 480p file could normally be anything from an 853x480 (16:9 aspect) file to a 640x480 (4:3 aspect) file or an anamorphic 720x480 file displaying in either the 16:9 or 4:3 aspect. So I really don't know what you consider a "small" viewing frame.
How can I proceed with web-optimizing this file in Quicktime? (Or is there a better solution? I tried Sorenson Squeeze, but that had a large watermark..)
As previously mentioned, there are many applications that can be used here—QT 7 Pro, MPEG Streamclip, QT X, HandBrake, etc. to name just a few. I personally would recommend the free HandBrake app since it offers both manual and automatic preset options, as well as, allowing you to create anamorphic or non-anamorphic encodes targeting either a fixed level of quality or a target file size depening on your needs. Unfortunately, the more options you have, the more decisions you need to make which means the more you need to critically analyze your target needs/requirements—which is frequently something many video users are trying to avoid.
Basically, if you want more specific advice, you will first have to better define your specific needs here.

QuickTime Movie Files Won't Convert For iPod using iTunes and QuickTime Pro

I've got a ton, and I mean a ton of QuickTime movie files of music videos that I want to convert to use on the iPod. I tried using "Convert Selection For iPod" in the Advanced Menu on iTunes, but got the following message trying convert a QuickTime file of U2's Beautiful Day:
""Beautiful Day" could not be converted because this file does not allow for saving or conversion."
I purchased QuickTime Pro hoping that the features on Pro would convert the file. When I opened the same file to convert using QuickTime Pro, "Export" under the file menu was grayed out so I couldn't select it.
You'd think that an APPLE QuickTime Movie file that can be played on APPLE'S iTunes and APPLE'S QuickTime Player would be able to be converted to be used in APPLE'S iPod player. (Anybody notice how APPLE is capitalized to point out that the the hardware, software and file formats are ALL Apple?)
Instead I wasted money buying QuickTime Pro when it won't do what I specifically bought it for. Now I have all these QuickTime files which won't play on the iPod.
Can anybody provide some help or assistance on how to accomplish what I'm trying to accomplish???

If the file doesn't allow saving or conversions then it is protected by DRM (Fairplay).
Nothing can help QuickTime Pro convert protected files.

I used to shoot video in my Powershot S3 IS (MVI_.AVI) and load it into iPhoto, I used quicktime pro so I could convert it for emailing to family members. That was when I was running Leopard now with Mt. Lion nothing works. Videos do not open at all?

I used to shoot video in my Powershot S3 IS (Format MVI_.AVI) and load them into iPhoto, I used quicktime pro so I could convert for emailing to family members. That was when I was running Leopard now with Mt. Lion nothing works. Videos do not open at all. Any simple suggestions, I am not real keen on iMovie Productions and not real certain how they compress for emailing attachments. Something simple here that I am missing? Thanks so much. I am a grandpa trying to share with family members far away (quickly & simply).

I am surprised that Apple did not build a converter into Mt. Lion.
Apple does have a converter built into Mountain Lion. It is call "Quicktime." However, in order to use this converter, you must first make sure the compression formats are playback compatible with QT. Basically, there are three levels of QT compatibility. The lowest is "Playback." These file can be played by QT but may not be conversion or edit compatible with QT. The second level is QT "Conversion" compatible. These files are playback compatible and can be converted to other compression formats using QT. "Edit" compatible media files are "Fully" compatible with QT since the can be played, converted and/or edited by QT. The main problem here is that AVI is a "legacy" file format that has not been officially supported by Microsoft for more than 11 years when it was replaced by Windows Media multimedia file/compression formats. Many of the original compression formats used in AVI files have never been transcoded for the Mac platform, use beyond system 9, or use beyond PPC platforms. In addition, some commonly used AVI codecs are proprietary or use non-standard (hybrid) profile and level combinations. In short, there is little wonder that Apple has been distancing itself from this outdated file type as it re-writes and upgrades its own QT structure to support more standardized, more scalable, more modern high definition file types and compression formats. It is really unfortunate that users continue to use this outmoded file type simply because it is freely available, easy to use, or they are simply too lazy to move on to a more modern or more efficient file types and/or compression formats.
I tested Wondershare Video Converter Ultimate for the Mac, which seems to be the "state of the art". I may be purchasing a new camera which might create a whole new set of variables. This program seems to cover all bases and is great for novices.
There are many third-party apps available if you wish to search for them. Many are even available in the App Store. Most do their job well and it is usually a matter of personal user preference as to which is best.
HandBrake seems more suited to folks with more experience and knowledge.
I mentioned Handbrake primarily because it is free and easy to use when you employ the included conversion presets options. (The TV options can normally be used for almost any situation depending on the source file and output requirements.) It is also excellent for more experienced users, but has a somewhat limited choice of output options as it does not access the user's system QT codec component configuration.

Video files exported with QuickTime Pro 7.2 can't be transferred to iPod

If I use the default Export to iPod export choice in QuickTime Pro 7.2 to export video files and add them to my iTunes 7.3 library, when I try to sync them to my 5th generation iPod with video (November, 2005), I just get the "can't be played on this iPod" message. I can create, transfer, and play video files on my iPod if I create them a different way (by using iSquint, ffmpegX, or No Frills DVD2iPod, for example). Exporting to mpeg4 using h.264 results in the same problem, even though I've used settings I know worked before. The export to iPod export choice does not offer any customization of settings. Although this problem is new, I can't be sure the immediately previous version of QuickTime Pro didn't also have the problem, but I know I have successfully used QuickTime 7 to create videos that could be transferred and played on my iPod in the past. How can I use QuickTime Pro 7.2 to create video files that will be compatible with my iPod? Thanks.
Mac OS X (10.4.10)

I can also verify this (QT Pro 7.2 exporting to .mp4 not compatible
with video iPod [firmware 1.2.1 on both 5G/5.5G units]).
This results in the unusual situation where custom H.264 output
is operable on the iPhone but not the iPod.
Example: your iPhone should play
http://homepage.mac.com/retiarius/sample.elements.mp4
but it won't transfer to a video iPod.
Yes, the workaround is to 'export for iPod' or do the conversion
within 'iTunes', but this in many circumstances will generate
larger files.
The closest description of this situation is:
http://lists.mplayerhq.hu/pipermail/ffmpeg-devel/2006-September/015930.html
Perhaps Apple will release a video iPod firmware update soon
to get the 'uuid' atoms and whatever watermarking they are
using these days straightened out.
I'm surprised this hasn't been noticed more by video podcasters
who dutifully use Apple's own QT Pro encoding tool to optimize
filesizes via the tunable H.264/.mp4 codec settings.

Video conversion using Quicktime Pro (Which Export Settings?)

I tried converting videos (.avi) to .m4v so that I can play them on my iPod Touch. However I am having problems.
iPod Touch documentation says that the following video file formats are supported by iPod touch:
A H.264 (Baseline Profile Level 3.0)
B MPEG-4 (Simple Profile)
My question is:
1. Can anyone show me how can i covert to those format using Quicktime Pro? And please do let me know which exact EXPORT setting I am supposed to use. I used EXPORT> Movie to iPod . It did not seem to work.
Thanks in Advance.

I use it on a 24" iMac C2D running at 2.33GHz with 3GB of RAM, and it's much quicker than a regular QT export and a bit quicker than VisualHub. I won't quote a time to encode a "2 hour movie" because there's a lot more factors involved like resolution and original file encoding but the device is faster than using the twin cores.
No, it won't work with Handbrake, nor VisualHub for that matter. It acts as a plug-in (albeit hardware) for QT and any application that uses QT for export can utilise the turbo.264.
One other (for me big) advantage is that Elgatos own software for using the turbo.264 supports AppleScript and hence Automator.

Recorded a video in portrait mode and want to switch it to landscape mode is there any way else to do it without useing quicktime pro....hope apple fixes this in ios 7 the video should come out in landscape regardless of the way you hold your phone

is there any way else to do it without useing quicktime pro....hope apple fixes this in ios 7 the video should come out in landscape regardless of the way you hold your phone or if you start in portrait and go into landscape while recording

You used the data. Verizon can not see what it was sued for. However your phone can see whats apps used the data. go to settings-data usage- there will be a place that says data usage cycle. line the dates up with your cycle. then there will be a bar graph below that extend bother white bars one all the way to the left and one all the way to the right. after those are extended below that will be a list of apps, there should be one that used over 2 gb and that will show you what app used that data in her purse

Using QuickTime Pro with an .mpg movie, why can I only get it to play from the beginning, but not from any other point in the video?

Using QuickTime Pro with an .mpg movie, why can I only get it to play from the beginning, but not from any other point in the video? How can I fix this?
Baffled in SB

What format of MPG is this? Is this an MPEG1 or MPEG2 video? How was the video created?

I am using quicktime pro for apple codecs and adobe CS6 cant see them. I am using win7 64bit op sytem. Help please...

I am using Quicktime pro 7 the latest, on a win7 64bit PC machine.
Adobe Premiere and Encoder cant see it; has anyone had troubles and
how do i fix this problem..help. I am try to use the apple codecs for
digital editing "apple prores 422".

Hi Gary
thanks for your reply, look I was loading the latest Quicktime and paid for the latest version of Quicktime Pro for windows as well as updating Itunes. After restarting my PC, the apple codecs would not show in the codecs list when i was preparing the output specs which are for the Australian broadcast which my boss wants of:
1280 X 720, 25fps and Apple codecs prores 422.
Look I was wondering is there any area of Quicktime Player Pro that I have to turn on or off, I just wonder if I have to do something in Premier Pro or the other adobe program encore to convert certain levels of film from one level to another, as the camera crew I was with had 5 different levels of film to convert to the above format.
Do you have any other ideas that come to mind, I have had some troubles in the last six months with Indesign and Adobe pdf maker, I have alot of sucess with adobe before. I gratefull for any other hints. Cheers Hound Puppy

IMovie in the new iLife 06' and video for iPod

Hi,
I was planning to upgrade to iLife 06' for the ability to take video thru iMovie and convert it to video for the iPod. Normally I would use Quicktime pro for this but my mac is not connected to the internet and it does not have USB 2.0. I am on limited funds here and I can't splurge to take it in to the shop and have a USB 2.0 card (plus a few other things) installed, Quicktime pro, plus iLife. I was wondering if anyone purchased iLife 06' and has had a chance to experiment with rendering down video for the iPod. If you have experimented with it, does it export directly to the iPod? or does it render to a file you can add to iTunes to download to your iPod that way?

Hi Ron,
I'm still using antiques hard-/software and can not afford such "stylish products" as a videoPod (well, I do own two iPods... my wife would kill me for No3...)
but as you can see in the link, "iPod video" is just a mp4 compressed file with some "special settings"...- special in meaning of, the iPod is able to playback... you can playback such compressed file with any Mac/Quicktime prepared PC....
BUT!
it is highly compressed and very small/resolution... for iPod that's fine, but for watching on computers, I would recommend some other settings/procedures...
by using the iLife suite, I don't know, wether the resulting files are "exportable"/in iTunes you normally can export any content... I guess (but I'm not sure...)

Compressing video for iPod using QuickTime 7 Pro ("expert")

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