QuickTime 7.0.3 (#4): Extremely slow MPEG-4 export times, problems exporting to iPod-compatible format; more

As noted in our fifth-generation (with video) iPod coverage, several users are experiencing issues with synchronizing home-compressed video to the device. Many users reporting this problem are using the specified encoding option offered by QuickTime Pro 7.0.x to export the non-transferrable video.

In addition to this inability to create valid iPod-format videos for some users, a number of readers are reporting extremely slow encoding times for the MPEG-4 compression component in QuickTime Pro 7.0.3.

One reader writes:

"For video encoding, I purchased Quicktime Pro, and at least on my PowerBook, 1GHz G4, the iPod preset takes forever. I found that using special settings under the 'Export' option, Quicktime Movie, MPEG-4, automatic settings. I usually set the video quality to 'High' and resize if over 480 pixels wide. It still takes some time, about 30-45 minutes for 20 minutes of footage."

One of the issues may be that QuickTime 7.0.3 is encoding some videos at too high a data throughput rate to be playable on the iPod. As noted yesterday, the fifth-generation iPod can only play video that is encoded at throughputs of up to 2.5 Mbps for MPEG-4 and up to 768 Kbps for H.264.

One MacFixIt reader has reported success with using very low throughput bitrates.

Andy writes:

"I have been playing with transfers for the last couple days. The criteria is very strict on what can transfer, and is not documented anywhere. I have had had 100 percent success with 151kbps encoded video. I have not had much luck using the share to iPod features in QT 7 Pro, except with home movies. 127kbps movies encoded the same way as the 151kbps movies will not transfer. I am for now sticking with the testing the smaller kbps movies, but I can confirm that 151kbps transfers every time."

If you are experiencing slow encode times in QuickTime Pro 7.0.3, or an inability to play exported videos on your fifth-generation iPod, please drop us a line at late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Problems playing QuickTime movie trailers in Mac OS X 10.3.x (Panther) We previously noted that virtually all new movie trailers posted to Apple's Web site require usage of QuickTime 7.0 or later. Unfortunately, QuickTime 7.0.x requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later, causing issues for some readers who have decided to stick with an earlier iteration of Mac OS X 10.3.x.

We've now received reports from a handful of users who are using Mac OS X 10.3.9 and QuickTime 7.0.3, but experience issues with playback distortion when attempting to view the newly encoded trailers.

One reader writes:

"It looks like the Apple QuickTime Movie trailers site has had an upgrade. Whatever was done, I cannot run most of the trailers in the large format without them skipping and losing sync. I have the latest Quicktime (7.03) and am running Mac OS 10.3.9 ... which is supposed to be supported. Well, I guess it is, if you want to watch the miniscule version of the trailer."

Previous coverage:

• QuickTime 7.0.3 (#3): Problems with Ac3-encoded audio linger; Some third-party applications exhibiting problems; more
• QuickTime 7.0.3 (#2): Now appearing in Software Update; Video skipping problem solved
• Apple releases QuickTime 7.0.3 -- required for iTunes 6.0, release notes

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