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What custom settings will work to convert FCP file for iPod?
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Author:  olsonite [ Thu Dec 01, 2005 10:26 am ]
Post subject:  What custom settings will work to convert FCP file for iPod?
I'm trying to use Podner to convert a 7 minute movie I created using Final Cut Pro, so that I can post it on my website and in iTunes for a video podcast. I want the movie to be downloadable and playable on a video ipod.

Using the standard H.264 preset creates a file that is too large. It would cost me too much in bandwidth charges if people download it a lot. I want to use the custom settings to lower the quality of the audio and video slightly. I'd like something no larger than 17 mb. or so.

What settings do I need to use? I was successful at this about a month ago, but now I forgot the settings I used. I need a .m4v file type in order for it to work on a video iPod I believe. Files of the .mov type do not work.

It seems to me that last time I created a file that was actually .mp4 type then just changed the suffix manually and it worked. Is this how you do it?

Can someone please list all the settings and steps involved in order to make this work? I have been searching Apple's discussion page, Google, etc and nothing I try has worked. I have tried both Podner and QT pro, and I get files that play in iTunes but won't transfer to the iPod.

Thanks for any help.
Author:  keithg [ Thu Dec 01, 2005 1:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
It sounds like you need to limit the data rate below Podner's Good quality setting. You can do this with Podner's Custom encoding option, or use QuickTime Player's Export to MPEG-4 option. Here are the settings we would change in the standard QuickTime Export Settings dialog that appears when you select Custom encoding:

1. Set File Format to MP4.
2. Set Video Format to H.264.
3. For your purposes, you need a data rate of approximately 2.4MB/minute, or about 328Kbps. You'll need to find a good balance between video and audio data rates to make that work, ie. 264Kbps for video and 64Kbps for audio, or 200Kbps for video and 128Kbps for audio.
4. Set Image Size to 320x240.
5. If your frame rate is 30 fps or less, set the Frame Rate to Current. If not, set Frame Rate to 30.
6. Set Key Frame to Automatic.
7. Press the Video Options... button and make sure you only have a checkmark next to Baseline, then select Best quality (Multi-pass).
8. Switch over to the Audio tab and set the Data Rate to correctly complement the Video data rate you selected in step 3.

This should produce a video file of reasonable quality that works on the iPod. It should also work regardless of whether its file name ends in .m4v, .mp4 or .mov. All of Podner's output is automatically named with a .mov extension. That's worked well in hundreds (if not thousands, now) of tests here.
Author:  olsonite [ Thu Dec 01, 2005 1:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the advice on the settings.

One thing I'm a little confused about concerning the Image Size. Should I use the preset that says "320 x 240 QVGA", or should I go to custom size and select 320 x 240 from there (which leaves off the QVGA part). I don't know what QVGA is. Do I want that?

Thanks,

Randy
Author:  keithg [ Thu Dec 01, 2005 1:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
In the style of so many things non-Mac, QVGA is short for 320x240. Short by three syllables and mass education of what it stands for. Why folks can't just say what they mean without acronyms thrown in willy nilly, who can tell? Why we should just rise up and - oh man - I can't believe you caught me monologuing!

It's fine to select QVGA.
Author:  olsonite [ Thu Dec 01, 2005 6:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Keith, you're awesome.
Author:  olsonite [ Thu Dec 01, 2005 9:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well...I tried your suggestion using the settings you gave. After the file was finished, I changed the .mov to .m4v (so that it will work with my iPod), but doing that made the file unopenable. Now I get an Apple error message "cannot open file error -50" or something to that effect.

If I change it back to .mov it plays...but then it won't work on an iPod.

Did I do something wrong? I think I followed your steps to the letter. Did I do the right thing by just taking off the .mov and replacing it with .m4v?
Author:  keithg [ Thu Dec 01, 2005 10:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
You shouldn't have to change the file extension. The iPod accepts files ending in .mov. It's part of the iPod's published specs. We definitely wouldn't output with that file extension if it didn't work on the iPod. What's strange is that changing the file extension on the Mac should also have no effect - you should be able to open the file with QuickTime Player regardless of the file extension.

I ran through the instructions here with two different files to confirm they work, and they did, at least for these files. One thing to watch out for is frame rate - if you're not sure of the frame rate of the source material check it with QuickTime Player's Show Movie Info option, under the Window menu, to be sure you're getting that step right. Anything over 30.0 fps and it will not play on the iPod. You would think that the Baseline setting would prevent frame rates over 30.0 fps in the final output but it does not.

If the frame rate idea doesn't check out I would be happy to test your file here. We could set up an AIM file transfer to get the file over here. If that's a good option, send your AIM screen name to support@splasm.com and we'll message you.
Author:  Crispien [ Sat Dec 10, 2005 1:58 am ]
Post subject: 
I have said this before I want to be able to save files as a .m4v!!! I want custon art work and other features only Available to this file format since podner 1.1 all files I encode and rename to the file I prefer none of them will open in itunes NONE. please add a save as dialog or up a link were I can downgrade to 1.0.
Please and thanx
crispien
Author:  RonAndrade [ Sat Dec 24, 2005 12:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
I am not having the issues as noted in this thread.... BUT, I do have the following issue:

First, the encoded files are coming out with the '.mp4' extnsion. Okay, fine. But it's becoming a pain in the arse to have mt host administrator add the .mp4 mime type (what a headache).

SO - after encoding my movies for Podcasting, I have to go in and change the extensions to '.mov' and, for each one, handle the nag screen that asks if I'm sure or would I rather keep the original extension.

CRAPOLA. (OS-X, not you) :)

Can you add a little option that allows me to choose the desired file extension? Like a little radio button or checkbox or something?

Is there a way to change this in the PLIST or PREFERENCE file manually or something?

I can create iPod compatible files with FinalCut Pro - but I bought Podner for it's wonderful batch abilities.

PLEASE HELP!

Thanks.
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