Supported movie file types for iTunes/iPod please?!?!

[smeeg]

Hi, I have had a MBP for a while now and love it. I've also just purchased an iPod Classic, and before it arrives I want to import movies into iTunes. However, I can't.

ALL of my movies are in file format, ranging from .avi to .flv.
There are a few that will import into iTunes but many simply won't. I was wondering what file types are supported by iTunes and therefore where I can find a free and powerful file converter?

Many thanks!

[iAlexG]

Use Videora Ipod Converter. It will convert files specifically for the Ipod you have and you can also choose the quality etc. Works every time.

Apple's supported codecs are MPEG-4 and H.264. I believe H.264 is specifically for the Iphone and Touch but it will obviously work in Quicktime and iTunes.

Videora will output a .mp4 file. This is supported by iTunes etc. Another big format is .m4v.

Also if you wanted to copy DVDs use Handbrake and select the Apple, Universal preset on the right. This is compatible with iPod and is the same quality as the DVD. Handbrake outputs .m4v files

Oh, forgot to put this in. .avi and .flv is not supported by Apple. .avi is a windows file as it was originally made by Windows for Windows and .flv is Flash Media designed by Adobe for video on the Internet.

[smeeg]

Don't know what I'm doing wrong but no movies will move from conversion queue to active conversion, from a 15mb movie to an 800mb movie. What am I doing wrong?

Many thanks for all your help

[Cave Man]

Just use Handbrake. It's free and has presets for the iPods.

[smeeg]

Well I would use handbrake except that it rips DVDs and doesn't change file format! I dont have the dvds, only movies on files.

still stuck on the videora problem.

[Cave Man]

Sure it does. Who told you it doesn't?

[iAlexG]

videora works just select video file and and Normal and select your file and so on then leave it until its done. Then you will have a Ipod compatible .mp4 movie!!!

Handbrake does rip straight to .m4v using the presets. I use it all the time. I have over 100 movies and loads of TV shows on my macbook.

Cave Man: You have a lot of computers!!!

Oh just saw your previous post Smeeg. I don't know what your doing wrong watch this and see if you missed something http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65D-lm4mTbs

[smeeg]

hey to everyone!

Many thanks for eveyones help. i have given up on videora, nothing seems to work, i left my mac on overnight and still, the video is just queued. anyway, the handbrake problem was fixed by a little version updating!

thanks for eveyones help again, this is my first thread as a macrumors user. you have all been lifesavers.

[rick3000]

I don't mean to hijack this thread but have a very similar question.
I just got my first iPod with video capabilities and half of my iTunes videos don't work on my new iPod. Is their any program that will convert just the file, without changing the quality, size, etc? I know handbrake will do it, but I would prefer to not change the settings for each video.
Thanks!

[iAlexG]

I assume you have an Ipod Touch as they are the only Ipods that use a dfferent codec? If so then you will have to convert your MPEG-4 movies to H.264 Codec. And handbrake will not convert a FILE such as .mp4 or .avi it will only convert from a DVD as the source.

[rick3000]

Sorry, I should have been more specific. It's and iPod Classic.

[gotenks05]

Originally Posted by iAlexG

handbrake will not convert a FILE such as .mp4 or .avi it will only convert from a DVD as the source.

Actually that is not quite true. On Mac OS X Tiger, Handbrake cannot convert files, but on Ubuntu and Mac OS X Leopard, where you can easily install Handbrake 0.9.3, you can convert files using HandBrake.

[Cave Man]

Originally Posted by iAlexG

And handbrake will not convert a FILE such as .mp4 or .avi it will only convert from a DVD as the source.

If you don't know what you're talking about, you shouldn't say anything. Handbrake will transcode many different containers and codecs.

[gillboyswims96]

they have to be mp4...

[Cave Man]

Originally Posted by gillboyswims96

they have to be mp4...

No, they don't. They'll do flv, avi and a bunch of others. Heck, the svn's even do Blu-rays.

[iAlexG]

Sorry if I have angered the experts but I am just speaking from experience. I am running Leopard and Handbrake would not convert an .mp4 or .avi file. I have only had the application work when I select a DVD as the source

[Cave Man]

Nobody's angry, just make sure you don't say things that will mislead others.

From the Handbrake home page:

Universal input
HandBrake is no longer limited to DVDs: it will now accept practically any type of video as a source. This massive enhancement was achieved by tapping into the power of libavcodec and libavformat from the FFmpeg project.

If you build the latest svn's you can even make MKV files with DTS digital surround in them.

[iAlexG]

Ok sorry, i will make sure do more thorough research next time. I must have an older version.

[Cave Man]

Originally Posted by rick3000

I just got my first iPod with video capabilities and half of my iTunes videos don't work on my new iPod. Is their any program that will convert just the file, without changing the quality, size, etc? I know handbrake will do it, but I would prefer to not change the settings for each video.

No, there isn't. You have to transcode the file into a format that is compatible with the geometry, bit rate, video and audio codecs supported by your iPod. This is precisely why Handbrake has presets for iPods. You cannot put a DVD-sized video on an iPod and expect it to play - it will be incompatible.

[rick3000]

I know, I have a bunch of DVD quality rips that I knew I would have to re-encode. But I have a a bunch of shorts downloaded in MP4 format from YouTube and other places that won't play on the iPod. These are the ones I was asking about, because since each video is 3-4MB, I don't want to lose any of the quality.