iPod Video

[WiseWeasel]

It seems according to the discussion here, the new iPod Video can display h.264 encoded at a higher rez than 320x240. In fact, the most it can handle is a multiple of 480x480 pixels.

If we do the math, 480 x 480 = 230400 pixels.

If we want the maximum possible 4x3 ratio image size, the math goes as follows:
-----------------------------
h / w = 3/4
h = 0.75w
-----------------------------
w x h = 230400
0.75w x w = 230400
0.75w^2 = 230400
w^2 = 230400 / 0.75 = 307200
w = square root of (307200) = 554.25625
h = 0.75 x 554.25625 = 415.69219
-----------------------------

Since we obviously can't have .25625 and .69219 pixels, we have to go to the nearest round number ratio below those numbers, which turns out to be 552x414 (or you could do 415x553 if you don't mind a little distorting). So for 4:3 aspect ratio content, 552x414 is probably your best bet. Now, someone with an iPod Video encode at this resolution and see if it plays back.

For widescreen 16:9 content, h = 0.5625w, and we get 640x360 as the optimal resolution (comes out perfect).

For 1.85:1 cinematic content, I'd do 652x352 (w = 652.871, h = 352.903).

For 2.35:1, w = 735.826, h = 313.117. You could do 736x313.

Anyone want to put any of this to the test?

[londor]

@ WiseWeasel

The iPod can handle up to 230400 pixels (480x480) of MPEG4 video.

Also according to the ffmpegX documentation the width and height must be evenly divisible by 16 for most codecs to work properly.

So having this in mind, i think, the maximun size would be:

720 x 304 (2.35:1)
624 x 336 (1.85:1)
624 x 352 (16:9)
592 x 368 (16:10)
512 x 384 (4:3)

[willrob]

For an iPod video, with its screen size and clarity, I think most users would opt for whatever size they can encode quicker and smaller, while maintaining good quality. The time spent encoding and syncing becomes an important factor in our busy I Need To Be Watching A Movie While Jogging world.

[AntnyMD]

I love it when you guys whip out the MPEG Math.

[ashtones]

Or watching a movie while driving. Theres a good idea. The only use I would have for it would be the ability to store video clips, not necessarly movies to take to friends and relatives. This would be less cumbersome then taking a bunch of discs or whatever. But they would have to be good enough quality for a TV. I doubt I would ever watch any video on a 2.5 inch screen.

[WiseWeasel]

The iPod can handle up to 230400 pixels (480x480) of MPEG4 video.

I thought there were reports of h.264 working at higher resolutions as well... can anyone confirm or deny this?

Also according to the ffmpegX documentation the width and height must be evenly divisible by 16 for most codecs to work properly.

Here as well, a confirmation that this also applies to Apple's QT MP4-MPEG4 and MP4-H.264 encoder would be nice.

[WiseWeasel]

[oops. disregard this...]

[Scarpad]

Or watching a movie while driving. Theres a good idea. The only use I would have for it would be the ability to store video clips, not necessarly movies to take to friends and relatives. This would be less cumbersome then taking a bunch of discs or whatever. But they would have to be good enough quality for a TV. I doubt I would ever watch any video on a 2.5 inch screen.

THe Ipod is gonna get me thru many a visit to my In laws House.

[dausone]

For an iPod video, with its screen size and clarity, I think most users would opt for whatever size they can encode quicker and smaller, while maintaining good quality. The time spent encoding and syncing becomes an important factor in our busy I Need To Be Watching A Movie While Jogging world.

god damn.. I know somebody out there has tried it??!!!

anyone??

[rumplestiltskin]

Tried what? Encoding iPod video or watching while jogging?

For an iPod video, with its screen size and clarity, I think most users would opt for whatever size they can encode quicker and smaller, while maintaining good quality. The time spent encoding and syncing becomes an important factor in our busy I Need To Be Watching A Movie While Jogging world.

god damn.. I know somebody out there has tried it??!!!

anyone??

[zggsyh]

Found an excellent guide which can help convert dvd/video files to fifth-generation video ipod.
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/253137

[willrob]

Earlier in this thread I optimistically wrote:

"But for filmmaker wannabes this could be a potential new market/audience. Currently there is virtually no way to exhibit or sell short films. but think back to the day of silents, when short comedies ruled. I think the ipod video format might be a good way to distribute short subjects, hopefully even revive that lost art form. Especially comedies!"

Well, I was half right. The iPod has created a new market for short porn films. An article in this Sunday's paper about suicidegirls.com hyped their business acumen in tapping the potential iPod market. And the other major internet porn sites (Vivid, for example) already have iPod ready content. So now we can watch porn while jogging or riding the bus to work.

[rumplestiltskin]

re: Porn

Did you expect anything different? It was Porn that killed Beta in favor of VHS. "Behind the Green Door" was longer than one hour and, as Beta wasn't long enough, the producer settled on VHS even though the quality of Beta was superior. The availability of that film (and the many that followed) drove consumer acceptance of the VCR (and VHS in particular). The same is true of DVD.

Porn will always be there. The trick is to not obsess about it. There are too many other really interesting vodcasts (and even non-porn TV!) to worry it. As Jimmy Kimmel said the other night: "Are there that many porn stars that want to be seen on a two inch screen?"

[AntnyMD]

Alright for porn! hahaha

Actually, on the day of the announcement of the iPod with video, the first thing I attempted to encode for the format was a porn clip ... A music video? No! A full length Hollywood feature? No!