I have just scanned over some of these posts, so I'm not exactly sure what's been going on but I'll give some advice and tips I use (which may be redundant).
I use Visualhub to convert MKV's. I first check the original MKV using "mediainfo mac." If the bitrate of the MKV is lower that 6000, (yes 6000) then I'll manually input the same bit rate into Visualhub.
If the bit rate is over 6000, then I'll manually input 6000 into visualhub. I've found 6000 is the "sweet spot." For a 720p file you don't really need to go over that bit rate. Most 1080p MKV are like 9000-10000 so when you're cutting the resolution down to 720, cutting the bit rate to 6000 keeps the file looking good.
I've found that anything less than 5500 starts getting pixelated, and the black levels suffer. All that said, I have been able to encode videos at 6600 and the Apple TV has played them... really nice, but I'm not sure there's really a huge difference bt/w 6000, and 6600... and I'd rather not push the Apple TV too much.
I read that you're having some iTunes issues after tagging. After you run the MKV file through visualhub are you getting out a .mov file (using the 2.0 +5.1 apple tv option). If so, that is probably your tagging issue. You take that .mov file and run it through metax, and then when you bring it into itunes it's blank, correct? If so, all you need to do is rename that file in iTunes, or change its genre, date, whatever, and all of your meta data should magically appear... this is a weird glitch in iTunes.
I use Visualhub to convert MKV's. I first check the original MKV using "mediainfo mac." If the bitrate of the MKV is lower that 6000, (yes 6000) then I'll manually input the same bit rate into Visualhub.
If the bit rate is over 6000, then I'll manually input 6000 into visualhub. I've found 6000 is the "sweet spot." For a 720p file you don't really need to go over that bit rate. Most 1080p MKV are like 9000-10000 so when you're cutting the resolution down to 720, cutting the bit rate to 6000 keeps the file looking good.
I've found that anything less than 5500 starts getting pixelated, and the black levels suffer. All that said, I have been able to encode videos at 6600 and the Apple TV has played them... really nice, but I'm not sure there's really a huge difference bt/w 6000, and 6600... and I'd rather not push the Apple TV too much.
I read that you're having some iTunes issues after tagging. After you run the MKV file through visualhub are you getting out a .mov file (using the 2.0 +5.1 apple tv option). If so, that is probably your tagging issue. You take that .mov file and run it through metax, and then when you bring it into itunes it's blank, correct? If so, all you need to do is rename that file in iTunes, or change its genre, date, whatever, and all of your meta data should magically appear... this is a weird glitch in iTunes.
