Video file/DVD-->iPod. Best sofware/method?

[djhep]

So far I've tried Popcorn 2, Fourty-TwoDVD-VX Plus, Quicktime Pro 7, and ffmpegX.

I like the results for video files on Quicktime, but it won't play audio in VOB files.
The results from ffmpegX using the default iPod h264 setting were not very good at all. Got better results after boosting the bit rate from 200kbps (default) to 700kbps.
I also like Popcorn but even on the standard setting it seems to take much longer than other methods. On the custom setting using the multi pass video option it made six passes and took 15 plus hours and won't play right on my iPod.

The best results seem to come from Fourty-Two but its pretty limited when it comes to customizing the settings.

I'm basically trying to find the quickest way to produce the best results. ffmpegX was the fastest, I'm sure I can get better results with some more tweaking. Any suggestions?

Also, is it possible for Quicktime to play the audio in a VOB file?

[terryj]

iSquint.

[terryj]

As for Audio in a VOB, yes, but you probably need
the right codec to decode the audio....

[djhep]

Thanks terryj!

I love this forum. Ask and you shall receive.
I downloaded both and will try them this afternoon. iSquint looks promising. Great reviews.

Any suggestions on what ffmpegX settings produce the best results for the iPod?

[AntnyMD]

iSquint is great for a one-click kind of experience. I used to use it, but decided I wanted more control.

I use MPEG Streamclip with both the 3ivx codec and the Apple MPEG2 component installed.

From Streamclip, I access 3ivx settings through Export to QuickTime Movie.

Set quality to 100% and tick ON 2-Pass.
Sound: MPEG-4 AAC Stereo 44.1 kHz at 128kbps.
Frame size: 512x384 (for 4:3); 640x360 (for 16:9)
Frame rate: empty; frame blending and better downscaling ticked ON.
Deinterlace video checked ON for interlaced sources.
Field dominance: Upper Field First
Limit Data Rate: ticked ON and set for 768 kbps. I use this setting to have final file size be roughly equivalent to an encode using H.264 at its maximum allowable setting for playback on iPod with video. This way I have higher resolution files but with no file size bloat.
Cropping ticked OFF unless you're doing cropping... I suggest not doing any unless you know what you're doing.

In the 3ivx Options, Basic Options:
Encoder Mode: Dual Pass - Second Pass
Dual Pass Goal: Best Quality
Other settings at default

In the 3ivx Options, Advanced Options:
Force keyframe after 5 delta frames
Tick ON Half Pixel Motion
Tick ON Four Vector Motion
Tick ON Adaptive Quantization
Tick OFF all others.

[macwal]

I use Handbrake. You can convert a DVD or (VideoTS folder after first ripping with MacTheRipper) to mp4, and you have control over the frame size and data rate.

Here's a link to a tutorial: http://howto.diveintomark.org/ipod-dvd-ripping-guide/

I previously used 0sex, DiVA, and MacDec, but the benefits of greater control over the transcoding/output were substantially outweighed by having to go through multiple tedious steps.

[djhep]

Thanks,

I tried iSquint and I love it! I have not tried the other methods suggested yet but plan to. I'm familiar with Mpeg Streamclip but I have never used Handbrake.

I still can't get Quicktime to play the audio of a VOB file. I'm using Pro 7.1.2 w/mpeg2 component installed. I installed the codec mentioned earlier but still can not hear sound when playing a VOB.

[Case]

I still can't get Quicktime to play the audio of a VOB file. I'm using Pro 7.1.2 w/mpeg2 component installed. I installed the codec mentioned earlier but still can not hear sound when playing a VOB.

QuickTime Player unfortunately doesn't play AC3 audio in VOBs. "This is a QuickTime component which allows the playback of AC3 audio in AVI files." Try VLC, MPlayer or even MPEG Streamclip to play VOBs with AC3 audio.

[rumplestiltskin]

I use a three-step method to get the absolute best quality H264 for iPod videos:

1. Rip the movie to HD using Mac the Ripper.

2. Open the VOBs (all at once) using MPEG Streamclip. Export to Quicktime (MJPEG-B, best quality); for most films I adjust the brightness +20 and saturation +30. (H264 from QT in ffmpegX has a bug that darkens the video and this compansates for it.) You may run tests using a small portion of the film and run those tests through ffmpegX using the settings below.

3. Convert the QT movie to H264 using 20% more bitrate than ffmpeg's "Best", Qmin/Qmax of 3/28, 2-pass (if you don't mind the extra time), Decode with Quicktime (yes). Do the math for the frame size to keep the pixel count up near the 76,800 max (but do not exceed!). Adhere to the "rule of 16's" (both dimensions evenly divisible by 16). 400x176 or 368x208, etc. - whatever keeps the proper proportions (you might have to fudge slightly).

The resulting videos will look great even on a 32" TV with the iPod AV cable.