Converting for iPod

When I try to convert a video for my iPhone using the "Convert Selection for iPod", iTunes crashes. How can I fix this?

OK, thanks for the clarification. I was getting tangled between the originals and the converted copies.
I'm still not certain, but I have to guess that it is indeed a problem with the aspect ratio of the movie. 1280x544 is an odd size, so I think it may not be converting successfully and so giving a blank video track. I'm going to have to do a bit of research to come up with a suggestion. Meanwhile, perhaps someone else here will have an idea.
Regards.

Similar Messages

  • Converting for iPod Touch

    Hello,
    I have several mp4 videos that I'd love to have on my iPod Touch. I read that QuickTime Pro was a good way to convert them since my iTunes doesn't seem to have an option to convert for iPod anymore.
    Anyways, I've done this several times and I just get the audio, with a white picture. Is this fixable? It also doesn't take every long as I would expect it to take a least an hour for an hour video.
    Any ideas?
    Thank you for your time

    OK, thanks for the clarification. I was getting tangled between the originals and the converted copies.
    I'm still not certain, but I have to guess that it is indeed a problem with the aspect ratio of the movie. 1280x544 is an odd size, so I think it may not be converting successfully and so giving a blank video track. I'm going to have to do a bit of research to come up with a suggestion. Meanwhile, perhaps someone else here will have an idea.
    Regards.

  • 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.

  • Convert for iPod vs Apple TV

    Movies from the iTunes store play on both iPods and Apple TV but I have some non-iTunes movies that I need to convert so they will play. I didn't realize there was a difference between the video destined for iPods vs Apple TV. What exactly is the difference between these two conversion commands under the Advanced menu in iTunes?

    The following is from: http://www.apple.com/itunes/store/podcaststechspecs.html#formattingvideo
    You format any video for iPod or Apple TV the same way. It used to be a slightly different story, but now however, they recommend not modifying specifically for iPod. The specs below should enlighten you...
    Formatting Video for the iPod, the iPhone or Apple TV
    Back to top
    Although iTunes can play a variety of .mp4, .m4v, and .mov video formats, Apple TV, the iPod, and the iPhone require more specific formats.
    The iPod and the iPhone support up to 640x480 while Apple TV supports up to 1280x720. To optimize for all three platforms, we recommend that your source file is at least 640 pixels wide and that you use the built-in iPod converters in Compressor ("H.264 for iPod"), QuickTime Pro ("Movie to iPod") or iTunes ("Convert Selection for iPod"). Each of these maintains the aspect ration of your source file and results in an M4V file containing H.264 video (Low Complexity version of the Baseline profile) and AAC-LC audio. If you want to maximize the screen area of a wide-screen TV, your source file should have an aspect ratio of 16:9 (e.g., 640x360). If you want to maximize the screen area on the iPod, your source file should have an aspect ratio of 4:3 (e.g., 640x480).
    Because it uses H.264 Main Profile, QuickTime Pro's "Movie to Apple TV" converter will result in a video that will not sync with the iPod.
    Refer to the specifications below if you are not using the built-in converters in Compressor, QuickTime Pro, or iTunes.
    iPod and iPhone can play the following video formats:
    H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 x 480, 30 frames per sec., Low-Complexity version of the Baseline Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 kbps, 48 Khz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
    H.264 video, up to 768 kbps, 320 x 240, 30 frames per sec., Baseline Profile up to Level 1.3 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 kbps, 48 Khz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
    MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 x 480, 30 frames per sec., Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 kbps, 48 Khz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
    Apple TV can display H.264 video, up to 5mbps, 1280x720, 24 fps, Progressive Main Profile. Apple TV supports AAC-LC audio up to 320 Kbps. The gating factors for video are bit rate and frame rate. The following are some sample conversions generated by the QuickTime Pro when choosing "Movie to Apple TV":
    Input Output
    640x480, 30fps 640x480, 30fps, 3mbps*
    1280x720 24fps 1280x720, 24p 5mbps*
    1280x720, 30fps 960x540, 30fps 4mbps*
    1920x1080, 24fps 1280x720, 24fps 5mbps*
    1920x1080, 30fps 960x540, 30fps 4mbps*
    1080i up to 60fps 960x540, 30fps 4mbps*
    *Represents an average bit rate.
    Beavis2084

  • DVD: can I extract the movie files? Then convert for iPod Video?

    I created a DVD (burned on DVD media). I did not archive the project. Can I extract the movie files? Or how do I convert them to m4v for an iPod Video?
    I know if I have the movies (clips) in iMovie I can do it but how do I do it from a completed DVD that I created and dont have the assets? help++++++++++

    Steve,
    "Roxio Crunch Apple Ipod Video Converter"
    By sdmacuser at 2007-09-14
    Message was edited by: Host

  • There is no sound in converted for iPod movies

    The problem is, and so I can't hear any sound after converting from any movie format to the iPod format using iTunes. Moreover, the new file has a .m4v type, and, as I understand, this type can't carry any sound(correct me if I'm wrong) like the simple .m4a and the combined mp4. Just want to know the decision

    Try using MPEG Streamclip to convert the videos; more information on this issue is available in this article.
    (26867)

  • HT2729 Use videos converted for iPod Nano 5G for iPod Touch 4G?

    I have an iTunes library full of videos that work with my iPod Nano 5th generation. I was thinking if they would work with an iPod Touch 4th generation, which I have researched and seems that it would not need any converting, but what about the difference in screen size?

    Never mind I feel like an idiot posting that.

  • ITunes fails when trying to convert videos for iPod Touch

    I have loaded videos taken from digital cameras (Fuji and Canon) into iTunes (latest version) and I can view them using the QuickTime reader (also latest version). Before syncing them to my iPod 4th gen, I go to advanced options and click on Convert for iPod or Iphone. After 1 or 2 seconds, iTunes craps out with what looks a protection exception. (iTunes has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for...)
    When I click to find out more details, the Error signatures says Appname iTunes.exe, AppVer: 10.1.0.54 Mod Name: coreaudiotoolbox.dll ModVer: 7.9.4.0 Offset: 000b2f84.
    I rebooted with same result. The same problem occured many times, with iPod connected or not and using different videos. I tried to download the test video from the Apple site, but nothing happens when trying to download.
    I am on Windows XP, SP3, fully patched.
    Thanks for helping.

    OK. Problem solved.
    I removed all Apple software using Add/remove software in Control Panel.
    Rebooted.
    Used Advanced System Care (free edition) to scan and fix the registry. There were over 200 problems related to iTunes or QuickTime in the registry.
    Downloaded a fresh copy of Itunes.
    Re-installed.
    I can now convert videos to Ipod.
    Hope this can help others having similar problems.

  • No sound when convert video for iPod Touch

    I have videos that I recorded with my digital camera and when I "convert for iPod" the resulting video has no sound in iTunes or when I put it on my iPod.
    Any ideas to what is wrong?

    The file you are converting is muxed(audio and video are one track).
    Quicktime is used by iTunes to do the conversions and quicktime does not like muxed files-so you get only video. Another possibility is that the audio is a weird codec that quicktime does not recognize.
    Use a different transcoder-such as mpeg streamclip recommended above. I use it, it works very well. It has iPod presets.
    Get it here: http://www.squared5.com/
    Message was edited by: Johnathan Burger
    Message was edited by: Johnathan Burger

  • Output to 16:9 for iPod

    When I use Convert using Quicktime, I have difficulty getting it to preserve the 16:9 HDV 1080i format for output.
    Basically I want to create a .MOV file with the correct apsect ratio for download from the web. I also want to generate another .MOV file for the corresponding PodCast.
    When I use the converter in FCP, it compresses the image into 4:3.
    In the Sequence Settings the 16:9 ratio is displayed but Anamorphic is NOT checked. Do I need to check that and if so, will I need to do this with each new 16:9 project?

    Bob -- try this workflow on a small piece and see if it doesn't work for you...
    File - Export - Quicktime Conversion - make sure it's set for Quicktime Movie export.
    Change compression method to BROADBAND HIGH. THEN click OPTION and then SIZE... change size to 480x270 and click out to save.
    Let it run.
    Then, open THAT in iTunes and using iTunes, select the video file and right click (control-click) and choose 'convert for iPod.'
    That's always worked for me.
    When you are done, do another right click on the video file in iTunes and do a SHOW FILE IN FINDER (or something like that.) Look for the .m4v file... that's the iPod video one. Open it up and see if it isn't 16:9.
    Good luck,
    CaptM

  • What are the specs for iPod video

    i wish to manually convert .mov (video with audio) to vPod format.
    anyone know where there is a list of the specs required, movie size, format, audio format?
    i'm trying to figure out the following:
    i have two movies of like nature. i drop ,them both in iTunes. i tell iTunes to convert for iPod and it says one does not need conversion. i am trying to figure out why the other does. they are both 44.1/h.264.
    what is the movie size spec and all the specs for QT to vPod conversion? (i want do to it manually.)
    i think i have it, is this correct: 320x180 (16:9). i assume vPod can play both 48.hz audio and that that does not have to be converted to 44.1 (both aac)?

    QT Kirk is simply saying
    you can make the file you dropped on the script in
    order to make it uneditable editable once again by
    loading the file in a hexidecimal editor utility and
    "zeroing out" the code that makes it uneditable.
    yes, i wanted to know which file to edit the script or the 'locked' movie --the .mov, thanks.
    .mov
    Format: AAC,Stereo (L R), 44.100kHz, H.264 Decoder,
    391 x 216, Millions
    FPS: 29.97
    Data Size: 58.25
    Data Rate: 536.90 kbits/sec
    Normal Size: 391 x 216 pixels
    Current Size: 391 x 216 pixels
    (Actual)
    The information cited does not include information regarding
    the H.264 profile used to create it. If created using the QT
    "Movie to QuickTime Movie > H.264" export option,
    then the file would not be iPod compatible since this
    workflow employs the "Main" profile. In a similar
    manner, if the file was created using the QT "Movie
    to MPEG-4" Export option, it would have been created
    using either the "Main" or "Baseline" profile.
    However, based on your dimensions, iTunes expects the
    file to be created using the "Baseline Low Compexity"
    profile and proceeds to correct the situation.
    how can you do that via QTP expert options? if you can. i create a lot of web movies and wish to 'feed 2 birds with one piece of bread'. (i like birds.
    if these are the only
    conversion for iPod tools apple offers...
    why?
    QT Pro/iTunes currently
    offers the use of two H.264 iPod compatible,
    automatically adaptive workflows (Baseline LC and
    Baseline) and QT Pro additionally offers one full
    manual iPod compatible H.264 workflow (Baseline
    profile) and one full manual MPEG-4 workflow. As to
    why the QT "Movie to iPod" and iTunes workflows are
    auto-adaptive, most users simply want to have iPod
    compatible files when they want them and don't want
    to learn how to make them properly with respect to
    each compression format and/or profile requirement
    and/or special case considerations (dimensions, data
    rates, frame rates, key frame frequency, aspect
    ratio, macroblock efficiency considerations, etc).
    yes, i wish to... well, i said that above, create web and ipod in 'one fell swoop'. i suppose these ipod auto-adaptive modes will work for web, but i'd rather use the expert options. i would like to "learn how to make them properly".
    > ok .m4v is h.264.
    Rather loosely stated. The
    ".m4v" extension refers to the file container while
    H.264 refers to the actual video compression
    algorithm. In this case the H.264 video format is
    specifically stored in this file container. One the
    other hand, the ".mp4" file container is a more
    generic MPEG-4 file container commonly used for
    either MPEG-4 or H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) video compressed
    files. And, at the other end of the scale, the ".mov"
    file container is the most generic since it can
    basically contain any "supported" compression format
    to include either MPEG-4/AAC or H.264/AAC iPod
    compatible files. One key to remember here is that
    file containers, like the compression formats that
    they can contain, have specific "characteristics."
    For instance, ".m4v" and ".mp4" file containers can
    have one external piece of graphic "artwork"
    associated with it (as seen in iTunes), but the
    ".mov" container cannot.
    i did not know that .mp4 also served for h.264. the graphic container of .m4v i had sort of noticed, however i did not or had not for .mov, thanks.
    Your file did not conform to
    the required "Baseline LC" profile and so iTunes
    converted it. Since the "LC" profile defaults to a
    video data rate on the order of 1500 Kbps, your file
    size was nearly doubled for the specific duration of
    your clip.
    i'm not sure i understand why my data rate was converted where a lesser data rate was not. (536 vs. 262)
    thanks very much for this 'training'.

  • Exporting video for iPod - audio OK but video is "white"

    I know this issue has been raised before but I cannot find a clear resolution anywhere - happy to be pointed to the right place.
    Some time ago I converted some old VHS home movies to DVD and they play fine. To view them via AppleTV I've converted them to MP4 using H.264/AAC via MEGUI, and they work fine in iTunes on the PC and on AppleTV.
    Once they were in iTunes I tried converting them for iPod but the output is a blank white video screen though the audio is fine.
    To diagnose the problem I tried loading the MP4 version directly into Quicktime (Version 7.6.8)where the play fine. Then I tried exporting them for iPod and I get the same white screen plus audio.
    I've seen this issue dismissed as due to some form of DRM but I doubt that is the case here. The video is my own, the DVDs I created are not CSS protected and the MP4s are also unprotected.
    I've also seen it attributed to a missing codec, but that is unlikely given both iTunes and Quicktime play the videos without a hitch.
    Any clues on how to proceed?
    John

    Last post before I leave things alone for a while.
    I've uninstalled and reinstalled iTunes and Quicktime and iTunes no longer chews up lots of CPU when trying to convert one particular Quicktime created file.
    I've also recreated each file again from the same source, the AVI encoded as DV-PAL with screen res of 720x576. I created a series of test cases to try to pin the problem down and I think the best exposition is the following -
    The problem
    An MPEG4 file exported from Quicktime loads and plays in iTunes, plays on AppleTV and can be converted for iPod.
    An almost identical MPEG4 file created by MEGUI using the x264 encoder, latest build 1649, and all the same settings as Quicktime loads and plays in iTunes, plays on AppleTV but when converted for iPod produces a file with audio but the video is "white". Looking at the file size, less than 2mb, it is pretty obvious that the video stream is simply not there.
    Clues
    Quicktime Movie Inspector reports the screen resolution of the file it exported as 720x540 while for the MEGUI created file it reports a very odd 787x576. Note that Windows Media Player and YAMB (MP4Box utility) both report this same file as 720x576 which is what I would expect as MEGUI did not resize the video. As an aside, WMP and YAMB also report the Quicktime created file as 720x540 so they agree with Quicktime on that score at least.
    Obvious Question
    Why does Quicktime report an incorrect screen resolution, and is this contributing to the conversion problem in iTunes?
    My understanding is that MPEG4 uses 16x16 macroblocks and so the dimensions of anything to be encoded must be in multiples of 16 and 787 is not a multiple of 16.
    Of course, the 787x576 screen resolution could be a red herring.
    Details from Quicktime Movie Inspector follow:
    File that converts successfully
    Source: scene0005c created QT as MPEG4.mp4
    Format: AAC, Stereo (L R), 48.000 kHz
    H.264, 720x540, Millions
    Movie FPS: 25.00
    Playing FPS: 25.00
    Data Size: 31.32 MB
    Data Rate: 2.39 mbits/sec
    Current Time: 00:00:00.00
    Duration: 00:01:49.84
    Normal Size: 720x540
    Current Size: 720x540
    File that does not convert successfully
    Source: scene0005e created MEGUI as MPEG4 AAC-LC 320Kbps.mp4
    Format: H.264, 787x576, Millions
    AAC, Stereo (L R), 48.000 kHz
    Movie FPS: 25.00
    Playing FPS: 25.00
    Current Time: 00:00:00.00
    Duration: 00:01:49.89
    Normal Size: 787x576
    Current Size: 787x576

  • QT7Pro - Movies convert with no sound when converting to iPod

    I bought QT7Pro last night, wanting to convert movies (.avi and .mpg) I have on my computer. They play and have sound in QT just fine, but when I go to convert them to MPEG-4 or convert for iPod, the options claim to have no audio track and it winds up being a silent video. How can I convert my movies without losing the sound on them?

    QuickTime Pro doesn't (can't) export audio from muxed files (MPEG 1 or 2 and Flash).
    Use other software to export those formats to the iPod settings. A quick search through the iPod discussions pages (now over one million views) will give you some software ideas.

  • Comparison for iPod Users: Free Online Converter & DVD to iPod Converter

    Compare two channels of obtaining video sources for iPod: one is using online converter, the other is DVD to iPod Converter. After the general introduction of the two methods, I will analyze their advantages and disadvantages for you to choose according to your need.
    Part One: Enjoy YouTube (online videos) on iPod
    Instruction: a useful website to convert online video freely: http://www.vixy.net/
    For vixy, you can just copy the URL of the online video into the “URL” blank of the vixy, then choose the format you want to convert to. Click “Start”. For a short time, the conversion will be finished. You can click the “Download the converted video” to restore the file.
    http://www.aiseesoft.com/images/guide/vixy.jpg
    Advantages: Free online video converter. No software to install. Only a few clicks you can get the converted file after a short while. The most important thing is that online video sources are numerous and original, so you can get the first-hand sources in time through it. Some personal DVs are also shared with you.
    Disadvantages: They set limitation of the length and size of the video. The classical movies usually are not on line available. Even if existed, the quality of image and sound is inferiors.
    Part Two: Enjoy DVD movies on iPod Touch, iPod Nano, iPod Classic, iPhone, iPhone (3G), Apple TV
    We usually bought classical DVD movies for collection or regular watching later, but DVD cannot be copied directly into iPod for us to appreciate it at anytime and anywhere. On this occasion, we need to convert DVD to the format, video and audio settings (Resolution, Bitrate, Frame Rate, etc) supported by your iPod player.
    Instruction: the way to convert DVD to iPod: using Aiseesoft DVD to iPod Converter http://www.aiseesoft.com/dvd-to-ipod-converter.html
    Install and run Aiseesoft DVD to iPod Converter
    http://www.aiseesoft.com/download/dvd-to-ipod-converter.exe
    http://www.aiseesoft.com/images/guide/screen.gif
    Step 1: Click “Load DVD” button to import your DVD
    Step 2: Use “Profile” drop-down list to choose your output format.
    Step 3: Click “Settings” for setting your video parameters.
    At last click “Start” button to start your conversion.
    More tips:
    1. Merge into One File
    If you want to merge the selected contents into one file you can check the "Merge into one file" option. As default the merged file is named after the first selected file (either a title or a chapter)
    2. Movie Effect
    You can set the brightness, contrast, saturation of the video and volume of the audio.
    3. Trim Movie
    It can help you to capture the segment of your movie.
    http://www.aiseesoft.com/images/guide/dvd-to-ipod-thread-trim.jpg
    4. Crop Video
    You can remove black edge of your DVD movie and get any playing area of the video by using its "Crop Mode" function. You can also select "Zoom Mode" to extrude your video slightly to adjust to your portable devices so you can get the best video quality.
    http://www.aiseesoft.com/images/guide/dvd-to-ipod-thread-crop.jpg
    5. Take Snapshot
    It allows you to capture your favorite pictures from your movie.
    Advantages: In this way, you can make full use of your DVD: not only in DVD player, but your iPod player. The function of effecting and trimming allows you to clip the segment of the DVD movies complying with your will. You can enjoy more movies taking full advantage of your spare time while relaxing or traveling.
    Disadvantages: DVD movies are usually popular, lacking of individualization. You can not share others' DVs.
    With these two ways, we can enjoy the pleasure videos bring to us as much as we like. Have fun!

    Depending on what update your iPod is, you may need
    to dowload YAMB to make sure the videos play well on
    your iPod. If you are watching a converted video on
    your iPod and it freezes suddenly and this problem
    continues, you need to download YAMB and convert the
    files already converted with videora iPod converter
    with YAMB, this will only take a few minutes.
    I hope this helps you out.
    Nope. All that a person with that problem should have to do is just update their iPod firmware to 1.1.1 with the newest updater, as that issue has been resolved in the latest firmware.

  • Tutorial: Converting Video for iPod (Read BEFORE You Post)

    Since 1/2 the bandwidth is about the same question - how to convert (Filetype X) to iPod video (MPEG-4 or H264) - here is the simplest and FREE method using one piece of FREE software and the ability to do a bunch at a time in a batch process.
    -------------------MPEG-4 CONVERSION FOR IPOD----------
    Start with a muxed file, e.g. MPEG-1 or 2. I am starting with an MPEG-1 music video clip. Update: MPEG Streamclip 1.5 now accepts almost all video clips, AVI (with the right DIvX or 3ivX codecs installed) and QT. So open whatever you have in Streamclip and follow these steps:
    Open in Streamclip
    Select File Export to QT (or new setting: File Export to MPEG4)
    Big window opens. Select the codec from the top pulldown- Apple MPEG-4 Compressor
    Select 40% quality (this lowers the bit rate and makes the file smaller and conform - at 80% the file is 120MB vs. 10 MB at 40%) as you don't want huge files.
    Under Sound Select AAC audio codec and 128 kbps
    Under frame size pick 320X240
    Click Make Movie and where it will go of course.
    On my G5 a 3'46" MPEG-1 music video was converted to a 10.1 MB mov MPEG-4 file in about 25 seconds. With a single G4 that might be 3 minutes. Bitrate is: 370 kbps video and looks fine at the actual size in QT and will look OK on the similarly tiny iPod screen. I was quite impressed by quality for such a small movie. I could goose it up to 50% or 60% to see how bit it gets but it looks good at 40% There may be a sizeable increase in size per 10% increase so before btach processing 100 try one at 40 or 50%.
    -----------IF YOU MUST HAVE H264------------
    Open MPEG file in Streamclip: Select the (new) Export to H264 setting that doesn't crash like 1.3.1 did - or you can use these steps and see which is faster if at all. Which allow you to use the preset in QT Pro to export to iPod format (which is H264 and takes a long time).
    Select Apple Animation as the codec for Compression at 100% quality
    Same sound setting as above
    Pick the frame size that says (Unscaled) next to it such as
    352X240 is common for MPEG-1 videos.
    Make Movie - this results a huge file. But you can get rid of it later.
    Open that huge file in QT Pro.
    Do file export and pick the preset at the bottom that is "Movie to iPod"
    It will figure out the settings. It may (it will)take a while but you get a M4V file in H264. My clip done this way took about 40 seconds to the Animation step and about 10 minutes for the QT to H264 step.
    --------------------BATCH PROCESSING-------------
    Select the batch list - it opens, you add files as many as you like, select convert to Quicktime, then follow the step above once, select the destination directory and then start and it will do one after another in sequence. Note the preview window that opens is the actual post-processed file and you can see at roughly iPod size how it looks in real time or as fast as you can process anyway.

    H.264 is going to be slow. No doubt about that. It's still a new codec so it's expected to take a while to compress versus MPEG-4.
    I remembered when MP3 was still new ... my 233 MHz P2 machine was just chugging along.
    When Ogg Vorbis came along, I would expect the encoding time to be somewhat slower. I was right to a point but that was when I have yet to own a computer that's 1 GHz.
    The same deal with compression schemes. For instance, I have found RAR, StuffItX, and 7zip to take it's sweet time, if using the highest settings, compared to ZIP on max compression.
    I expected no different with H.264, albeit the encoding time is a bigger difference compared to, say MP3 vs Ogg, but I have learned that when new codecs and compression schemes come by, I expect them to take longer than what I've been accustomed to as I used different machines. It's either that or I buy a faster computer. For the record, it takes me between 2.5~4 hours to convert a 24 minute video to H.264 using my iBook listed below, depending on the complexity of the video.
    The quality of H.264 is rather nice for 320x240, sometimes even better than MPEG-4 using the same bitrate and resolution setting, but the output filesize is sometimes smaller than the H.264 cousin because it compresses rather well.
    However, let me tell you that I'm rather spoiled when it comes to certain technologies. If the iPod says that it supports 2.5 Mbps MPEG-4, I'll use that setting first and then compare the visual quality of a 768 kbps H.264 file. Most of the time though, the DVDs I've encoded doesn't even come near 2.5 Mbps. It's more like 500~1500 kbps.
    Personally, I usually stick at 100% quality and use the Limit Data Rate feature. It's just that I get annoyed even by the smallest artifacts on portable video and the less artifacts I see, the less annoyed I get.
    Just thought I'd share my 2 cents.

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