What video format to play back movies on Android device?

[donfm]

I have an Android tablet that I want to use when I am on the plane to watch my saved movies. I'm new to this formatting and video conversion stuff and I wanted a suggestion as to what format I should convert my dvd/blu-ray rips to for use on my Android device? I suspect that smallest file size and best quality is what I am looking for here. Thanks for any help.

[Brainiac]

I suggest finding out what the specs are for you tablet for video files it will accept. Look in your manual first. If your manual does not give specs then look online using your tablet's brand and model number. MP4/H.264 will more than likely be compatible.

Brainiac

[donfm]

Thank you!

[Ai Haibara]

If your Android device is powerful enough, you may not even need to convert your videos. See if the Android port of VLC, or MX Player, will do what you need (both are available on Google Play).

Note that if you do try MX Player, some codecs are not directly supported due to licensing restrictions, so you'll need to install an external codec package, like the all-in-one package. I'm not sure if the latest versions of MX Player recommend installing an ffmpeg codec package, instead...

I rip my DVDs for play on my Android phone, and all I do is use Handbrake to convert them to h.264 MKVs, with no change to the video resolution.

[theewizard]

i use MP4
and use a resolution comaptible with the tablet
the problems i have come across (mainly family and friends) is MKV files and video bitrates that are too high for the tablet to 'decompress' aka decode at speed fast enough to play correctly
remember, the processor speed, memory, and response are NOT equal to that most new PC's or laptops
and despite the high resolution of new tablets, the small 7>10 inch screen means you don't need a 13gb file conversion
2gb per movie on the tablet display, will provide all the detail you can see

[johns0]

Don't use mx player,it wont play ac3 sound with videos,use ac3 player,a much better choice.

[Ai Haibara]

Don't use mx player,it wont play ac3 sound with videos,use ac3 player,a much better choice.

It will if you install the all-in-one codec package. As I mentioned above, they had to move certain codecs to external support due to licensing restrictions.

theewizard: I do enable the fast-decoding option in Handbrake, but generally, I haven't had an issue with anything at least of DVD resolution. HD video, on the other hand... I haven't tried it, but I'd certainly expect devices to start to have issues playing it, which is why I mentioned the OP shouldn't hopefully have as much of a problem with a higher-powered device.

[johns0]

I installed the codecs pack and it still didn't play the sound for ac3 so i ditched it,it did play a year ago but not anymore.

[Ai Haibara]

Did you contact the devs about it? It might have been something they could solve.

...and since there's room for improvement in both MX Player and VLC/Android, IMHO, anything that helps the devs fix and improve them, the better.

[theewizard]

Audio is not a problem when converting
The device doesn't have 5 channel surround sound
Just convert to stereo acc or mp3 and use mx player or the built in player

[Kerry56]

I use MX Player Pro in my Nexus 7, using the extra codecs. Works fine. I use H264/MKV files for the most part. Biggest headache for me with that tablet is getting root back after upgrades, so I can play videos off an external microSD card.

Dice Player also works pretty well for me.

[theewizard]

Biggest headache for me with that tablet is getting root back after upgrades, so I can play videos off an external microSD card.

i'm slightly off topic
Don't upgrade
i rooted my S4 and my Lenovo Tablet
i'm on kitkat4.4.2
i have no intention of doing ANY upgrades, i don't like the look of "5" aka Marshmallow, and the increasing lock downs being included in the system and updates
almost any thing you might want can be obtained via app or cryogen mod

[johns0]

You don't need to root your android to play movies on an external micro sd,just change the permissions so you can add apps and files.

[theewizard]

notice he said External and I assume ?? he means via USB using a usb sd card adapter
which is not supported in all versions of Android
SD card in the card slot has always supported "read/play" support
USB mass storage is not supported most versions of android

IF i'm correct, he should have said USB even if he is using and SD card adapter

[johns0]

I was replying to Kerry56 post about having to have his tablet rooted to play off micro sd.