OK. For completeness, and with due acknowledgement to Mike and Steve, here's the RIGHT way to get H.264 mov files that work on an iPod. The specs given at the start of this thread are not quite right because they omit a step to set the video profile to baseline, which is required by the iPod.
This is for the brothers and sisters who want to put out QuickTime mov files using the H.264 codec, but want them to work on iPods as well. A mov H.264 file has to use the "baseline" profile or it won't work on an iPod. Problem is, QuickTime doesn't give you that option when you export to a mov file. Yet you have to use mov if you want to retain special QuickTime features like clickable links and other interactive/funky stuff. But there's a workaround that allows you to use the baseline profile and make your mov file ipoddable. * Export -> Movie to MPEG-4 file. Dig around in the settings and options and select the H.264 codec, along with the framerate, bitrates etc. that you like. And, vitally, the BASELINE profile. Baseline is non-negotiable - my suggestions for the other settings come later on. Make sure you've selected AAC audio, too. This first step is where you'll be doing your compression of both video and audio, so make sure you get the settings right for a good squeeze. * Once you've exported (it might take a while), open the resulting file in QuickTime. Add any text tracks, hyperlinks etc. THEN choose SAVE AS and select the option to save your movie as a self-contained movie. This should be fairly quick. What you get is a mov file that contains baseline H.264 and it will definitely work on an iPod. Of course, your links can't be clicked on an iPod (yet) but people don't only watch your vids on an iPod do they??? OK, full credit to Mike and Steve for their work on this. Here are my suggestions (previously posted elsewhere) for settings that produce very watchable video at a reasonable file size. These are based on Mike Verdi's 3ivx specs I've been using for a while. They produce a slightly larger file (14.5 meg, compared with about 13.8 for 3ivx). But the H.264 version supports a 50% higher bitrate than 3ivx; and a framerate of 24 compared with 12 for 3ivx. It is definitely more watchable than the 3ivx version. Remember, these are the settings you use when originally exporting your movie to an MPEG-4: File format, MP4 Video format, H.264 Data rate, 225 kilobits/second (roughly 28 kilobytes/sec) Optimized for download Image size 320 x 240 QVGA Frame Rate 24 Key Frame, automatic Frame Reordering, box ticked Then click Video Options, and ... Restrict profile(s) to baseline. Encoding mode best quality (multi-pass) Then click OK Now in the second-top drop-down box select Audi Format, AAC Channels, mono Data Rate 32kbps Output sample rate 22.050kHz Encoding quality better OK, then SAVE. You're now outputting your MPEG-4. Follow the instructions above to save the resulting file as a mov file. Hope this helps someone, Waz. www.crashtestkitchen.com ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get Bzzzy! (real tools to help you find a job). Welcome to the Sweet Life. http://us.click.yahoo.com/A77XvD/vlQLAA/TtwFAA/lBLqlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/videoblogging/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
