ipod profile

[smok3]

trying to figure out a general purpose, all ipod video generations compatible profile, basically i copy/pasted megui cmd and got:

x264.exe --pass 1 --bitrate 600 --stats "stats.stats" --level 1.3 --no-cabac --subme 6 --analyse p8x8,b8x8 --qpmin 16 --vbv-maxrate 768 --vbv-bufsize 244 --me umh --merange 12 --threads auto --thread-input --progress --no-psnr --no-ssim --output NUL "input.avs"

(added --vbv-bufsize 244 found on google),

----------------

current findings:
doesnt like resolutions like 512x288 for some reason while 512x384 (xvid in mp4) is working fine.


any suggestions appreciated, tnx.

[Kurtnoise]

The HandBrake Wiki (http://handbrake.m0k.org/trac/wiki/x264Options) might help you...:)

[PuzZLeR]

If you're looking for a "general purpose, all ipod video generations compatible profile" you should be setting one up for the first iPod video profile, which then would be the common denominator to all forward models due to backward compatibility.

Yes, the HandBrake team has some great info on the iPod. Here's another link as well in their forums right here (http://handbrake.m0k.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1732).

[JoeShrubbery]

Since 5G iPods with a firmware upgrade can play the same higher resolution/bitrate content as 5.5G iPods I'd say there's no point in restricting yourself to the old limits.

[PuzZLeR]

I'd say there's no point in restricting yourself to the old limits.

I would do the same thing and enjoy the better output of the later models, yes. But when designing a profile that is compatible with ALL iPods (for any number of reasons) you have to consider the older models' limitations as well.

You have to base your assumption on the lowest common denomimator that I mentioned previously so it can "factor in" for all.

[Blue_MiSfit]

What part about

5G iPods with a firmware upgrade can play the same higher resolution/bitrate content as 5.5G iPods


Did you not understand? There is no difference! :)

Sorry if that comes off rude, not my intention.

~MiSfit

[PuzZLeR]

@Blue_MiSfit,

Actually there is a bit of a difference. The iPod Gen 5.0 came out summer '06 and could not play the newer 640x480. It needed a firmware upgrade to handle the bigger rez.

In other words:
5.5 /= 5.0
5.5 = 5.0 + firmware upgrade.

("/=" means "not equal")

Edit: The "new" iPod 5.0 came out summer '06. The original iPod 5.0 came out in '05. Although both are called 5.0, the one released in '06 is called "5.5", even though it is really an enhanced iPod 5.0.

One of these enhancements included a bigger video rez. However, you can upgrade the firmware of the original 5.0 to do this too. What makes it all confusing is that firmware for the 5.0 is not compatible with firmware for the 5.5. They are both separate.

[smok3]

so on every ipod generation video sized to 640x480/h.264 using the command line i posted should work? (i will assume that users are capable of upgrading the firmware).

p.s. please try to be specific (up to the exact command line), since that would be most beneficial.
p.s.2. handbrake seems to steal from Sharktooth as well, or is there any specific wiki entry i should read?

[PuzZLeR]

I've updated my last post to hopefully sort the confusion.

The common denominator is still the older iPod 5.0 video specs with the 320x480 max rez. However, if you want to assume everybody's upgraded you may go ahead.

I'm not too sure about this though because, realistically, for whatever reasons (bugs, viruses, laziness, ignorance) not everybody will upgrade.

[smok3]

PuzZLeR: so we will make a faq like:
q: it is not working for my purple ipod, should i get a green one?
a: upgrade your firmware, http://linktosomefruitsite.com

[JoeShrubbery]

I'm not too sure about this though because, realistically, for whatever reasons (bugs, viruses, laziness, ignorance) not everybody will upgrade.

Seeing as any current version of iTunes will do it's best to push the upgrade on you, I personally think it's safe to assume most users will have upgraded their firmware by now or will do so in the near future. If you come across someone who hasn't, then dangling a video in front of them that will only work if they upgrade their firmware might be the carrot needed to get them to do so.

[PuzZLeR]

Seeing as any current version of iTunes will do it's best to push the upgrade on you, I personally think it's safe to assume most users will have upgraded their firmware by now or will do so in the near future. If you come across someone who hasn't, then dangling a video in front of them that will only work if they upgrade their firmware might be the carrot needed to get them to do so.

Yes, it is safe to say most will upgrade. But, "most" is still not equal to "all". I have several software packages on my computer, including Windows Media Player, telling me to "update/upgrade" or whatever, which I always shut off. I just couldn't bother. Yet for some others, I automatically upgrade always. Not all of us respond to upgrades. I guess this is human behavior to some level. Upgrades to some are like an attitude to junk mail.

Then again, some are conditioned to do it automatically, some want to have the latest, or some find some motivation to do so (like a "carrot"). That still always will leave a percentage that won't upgrade.

But I agree, that if there's some clip that I want badly enough out there, that is only available for playback with the upgrade on my WMP or iPod or whatever, quite likely, yes, I would upgrade the bloody thing finally.

As far as this thread is concerned, I'm just pointing out that if smok3 wishes to cater to ALL iPod video users, that there will be a certain percentage, even if it's less than .5% and shrinking, that will not have access to higher features.

I'm talking theoretically, that's all.

But if I were smok3, I would agree with you Joe, and just ignore the ones that didn't upgrade and move forward.