iPod Won't Play this MP4, but WHY?

[GrayStrickland]

As near as I can tell, this file *should* play just fine on an iPod (Classic 160gb or Nano 3d or 4th gen), but when I try to play it, the iPod attempts to load the file for about 3-5 seconds, then gives up.

What have I done wrong?

From Media Info:

General
Complete name : Y:\IPOD\KIDS\MOVIES\BHC.mp4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media / Version 2
Codec ID : mp42
File size : 392 MiB
Duration : 1h 31mn
Overall bit rate : 599 Kbps
Encoded date : UTC 2009-06-11 04:15:13
Tagged date : UTC 2009-06-11 04:25:19
Writing application : HandBrake 0.9.3 2008112300

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Baseline@L3.0
Format settings, CABAC : No
Format settings, ReFrames : 1 frame
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 1h 31mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 600 Kbps
Width : 320 pixels
Height : 128 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 2.500
Frame rate mode : Variable
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Minimum frame rate : 11.991 fps
Maximum frame rate : 23.976 fps
Resolution : 24 bits
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.611
Stream size : 391 MiB (100%)
Writing library : x264 core 65
Encoding settings : cabac=0 / ref=1 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x1:0x131 / me=umh / subme=6 / psy_rd=1.0:0.0 / mixed_ref=0 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=0 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=6 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / mbaff=0 / bframes=0 / keyint=240 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=40(pre) / rc=cbr / bitrate=600 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / vbv_maxrate=768 / vbv_bufsize=2000 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Encoded date : UTC 2009-06-11 04:15:13
Tagged date : UTC 2009-06-11 04:25:19

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format version : Version 4
Format profile : LC
Format settings, SBR : No
Codec ID : 40
Duration : 21ms
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 19.4 Kbps
Nominal bit rate : 19.1 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Resolution : 16 bits
Stream size : 51.0 Bytes (0%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2009-06-11 04:15:13
Tagged date : UTC 2009-06-11 04:25:18

[minidv2dvd]

video looks ok but the cbr audio bitrate of 19kbps might not be acceptable. sounds too low. maybe try a rate of 160kbps.

[GrayStrickland]

@ minidv2dvd

Good catch. Thanks. I'll boost the audio bitrate up.

What are the consensus best setting for encoding for iPod (Classic, Nano, iPhone, Touch)?

NOTE: I do *not* have AppleTV and I *never* play these files on anything but an iPod. For my tv, I encode at full res and display using a PopcornHour A100.

[jman98]

Maybe you want to take a look at this free program
XviD4PSP
It has an iPod encoding setting that might be useful to you.