Fifth-generation iPod (with video) [#6]: More on problems playing back home-encoded video -- Using a lower bitrate

CNET staff

Sept. 2, 2009 8:12 a.m. PT

3 min read

We continue to report on an issue where users are unable to playback seemingly properly compressed video generated by a variety of applications -- including QuickTime Pro 7.0.3 and other applications -- on their fifth-generation iPods

Also, as reported in our recent QuickTime 7.0.3 coverage, users are experiencing extremely slow encoding times when exporting files in the MPEG-4 or H.264 (iPod-compatible) formats in QuickTime Pro and other applications.

It should be noted that encoding video in either one of these formats is a relatively processor intensive tasks that can seem painfully slow on anything but more recent G5-based systems. However, the times users are experiencing are in some cases inordinate.

One MacFixIt reader writes:

"When I use the predefined export of QuickTime 7.0.3 for iPod Video it takes ages (as already reported). It took me nearly two days to re-encode a DivX Video of a little more then 1 hour of movie. But even worse -- the move after encoding was useless because of the movie and the audio being about one minute out of sync. I used the DivX 6 Codec included in Toast 7, but QT is only having problems with the iPod export."

Another reader, Michael, writes:

"I am also getting extremely slow exporting from QuickTime Pro. A three minute music video takes about 20 minutes to encode. I have over 100 videos but only two of them went on successfully."

Try using a different application QuickTime Pro isn't the only tool that can be used to export video in the MPEG-4 and H.264 formats. Toast 7 and others can also perform the task, and you may want to consider switching to one of them if QuickTime Pro is exhibiting extremely long export times, or the video it produces fails to transfer to or play on the fifth-generation iPod.

One tool that has been receiving accolade from users and seems to be successful in exporting iPod-compatible video where other applications fail is HandBrake.

MacFixIt reader Rafael writes:

"If people are having problems with QuickTime encoding, they should consider HandBrake. I transferred two separate movies to my wife's iPod: one a home movie I created with iMovie, the other a copy of a DVD I own (with the help of MacTheRipper). Both transferred without a problem to the iPod and play just fine. These are the settings I used:

File format: MP4 file
Codecs: MPEG-4 Video/AAC Audio
Framerate (fps): Same as source
Encoder: FFmpeg
Video Quality: Average bitrate (kbps) 256
Video Quality: 2-pass encoding checked
Audio Bitrate (kbps): 96
Picture Settings: chose largest dimension to be 320, maintaining correct ratio

"Time for encoding obviously varies with the length of the movie, but it took approximately 1 hour to encode a 2 hour 20 minute movie on a PowerMac G5 Dual 2.7. And that's using 2 pass encoding- one pass should be quicker. Hope this helps."

Other software options for exporting include:

Use a lower bitrate As previously noted, the fifth-generation iPod can handle H.264 streaming at up to to 768 kbps, and MPEG-4 video streaming at up to 2.5 Mbps. However, as the user Rafael profiled above did, using a lower bitrate can sometimes result in videos successfully transferring and playing on the fifth-generation iPod that otherwise would not.

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Previous coverage:

Resources

QuickTime 7.0.3 coverage

iMovie HD (The iPod 320 x 240 export option is located in the 'Expert Settings' option)

Late-breakers@macfixit.com

Fifth-generation iPod (with video) [#5]: Continuing problems playing back home-encoded video -- determining which media will play

Fifth-generation iPod (with video) [#4]: More on problems synchronizing home-compressed video