Converting videos to m4v

[Mc128k]

Hi
I need to convert a couple of videos to m4v, so they are fully compatible with all apple devices.
I use mencoder and ffmpeg on linux, they can be easily automated. BUT I couldn't find a decent way to get the thing working. All files are buggy/defective/partially working. Some have no audio, others have weird speed bugs etc...
I also looked on the web for resources, with litle luck..

http://www.mplayerhq.hu/DOCS/HTML/en/menc-feat-quicktime-7.html

VideoHelp Users suggested these commands in my previous post, where I needed to convert mss2 files:

mencoder ccent10.wmv -o ccent10.avi -ovc lavc -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4 -oac faac -faacopts quality=120
ffmpeg -i ccent10.avi -vcodec copy -acodec copy -absf aac_adtstoasc ccent10.mp4

These work, but not with QuickTime. I need to put them in a media server AND use them in macs/iPods.
I think H264 would be nice because it requires less CPU power (expecially in older PowerPCs), Xvid has some trouble, other codecs don't work...

What can I use to make files as "universal" as possible, expecially on apple devices?
I also installes X264, it it good for making these files?

Thank you very muxh! : )

[aedipuss]

try handbrake there's a nix version.

[Mc128k]

Tried the GUI... makes HUGE files. I would like to use mencoder and ffmpeg, they work better. I only need the right parameters for standard m4v files

[bat999]

I would like to use mencoder and ffmpeg, they work better. I only need the right parameters for standard m4v files

Yes, you need to find the x264 parameters for mencoder, to replace this part of your mencoder command:-
... -ovc lavc -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4 ...

[Mc128k]

x264 or H.264? I tried using x264 for converting files, but with little luck.