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randyhoop · Jan 15, 2007, 11:21 PM

I am, like many others I am sure, trying to convert all of my physical media to digital media. I found the freeware program "Handbrake" to convert my DVD collection to MP4 format. I have gone through the process with 6 DVDs now and the program works great. I was able to convert the content and watch it on my MacBook, even added it to my iTunes library. Looks great watching it in Quicktime.

Now for the problem, when I attempt to move the content onto my iPod from iTunes I get nothing. I am thinking it is probably because I changed the dimensions of the video from its original widescreen format but I am not sure. Has anyone else run into this? If so, can you please help me out with what I need to do. Much appreciated!

More Detail:
The iPod is a 30GB Video model, the new one. The video causing me the headache was converted using Handbrake 0.7.1 at 400kbps bitrate on a MacBook and I chose to make it 720x480.

pcguy1 · Jan 16, 2007, 07:43 AM

The problem is iPid video will only accept certain resolution and bitrate, you can try some freeware like iSquint or ffmpegx to convert your file to one that iPod will accept.

icruise · Jan 16, 2007, 09:00 AM

Look at the forum FAQ for some (now slightly dated) info about what kind of video resolutions the iPod can handle. It's just a matter of setting Handbrake to encode at the proper resolution and settings.

pra9ab0y · Jan 16, 2007, 09:44 AM

easier than that!

"right" click on the item you want on your ipod and see the menu then click convert selection for ipod. It takes a while but is definatly worth it!

icruise · Jan 16, 2007, 10:18 AM

You're saying that converting everything *twice* is easier than having the correct settings the first time?

randyhoop · Jan 16, 2007, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by icruise

Look at the forum FAQ for some (now slightly dated) info about what kind of video resolutions the iPod can handle. It's just a matter of setting Handbrake to encode at the proper resolution and settings.

Would you mind posting a hyperlink to the appropriate FAQ? I can't located the information you refer to.

icruise · Jan 16, 2007, 01:02 PM

It's a "sticky" thread right at the top of the list of topics for the iPod forum. Look under video encoding.

randyhoop · Jan 16, 2007, 05:07 PM

Thank you!

pra9ab0y · Jan 17, 2007, 05:31 AM

Im not saying convert it twice but if he has ripped it he dosnt want to have to do it all again so use itunes to convert and then delete the ones that dont work and correct your settings for next time.

Hope I helped!

randyhoop · Jan 17, 2007, 11:15 AM

Hope I helped!

You sure did. I didn't know that was even an option so I definitely learned several things by asking my question. I converted the content that I had previously ripped and I have ripped more of my media now with the corrected settings in Handbrake.

Just in case anyone is still reading, what is your guys' opinion on the optimal bitrate to use when considering the video will be primarily watched on an iPod and occasionally on a MacBook using Quicktime and Front Row (but never on a HDTV)? I don't want to clog up my hard drive with tons of memory-sucking movies but I don't want to lose all sharpness by reducing the file size too much. If I could somehow have my MP4's end up around 250-500 MB and be enjoyable to watch I would be happy. So far I have been going with 500 kbps bitrate and the movies seem pretty good. Any thoughts?

pra9ab0y · Jan 17, 2007, 11:29 AM

Well I find that 727 kbps is fine on the ipod but seems blurred on big screen of computer(macbook)

I would go with something higher if I had the software to go so. If I rip from dvd they are sharp on both ipod and computer but when converting from downloaded content they seem to loose that sharpness.