AVI to MP4? (as MKVtoMP4 - playable on Apple devices)

[alexeliasson]

Hi!

I'm very satisfied with the mkvtomp4 software which enables me to convert video from the mkv container and make it a .mp4 playable at my apple devices.

If I use the very same software for a xvid/avi video - the encoded end-product will stutter.

Which software could you recommend for this use?

[yoda313]

What apple devices?

Each one has its own requirements to some degree.

Though if you can play it on an apple ipod video I'm pretty sure you could play it on a apple ipad since the ipad has more horsepower than the ipod video.

Basically I would recommend using handbrake and using the apple universal preset. That will give you the best overall chance of playing the end file on whatever device you are going to be using.

Though remember your resolution restrictions. The smaller the player the smaller the resolution. I think 320x240 is the basic one for small 3-4" players. Others should handle sd material and the ipad will be more (not sure which ipad models do 720p and not sure if any can do 1080p).

One last note if you want to fiddle around with the settings I would stay away from using CABAC and keep the reference frames low or none if possible. I don't really know what CABAC is but it complicates matters for hardware players.

So basically until you nail a perfect sweet spot use a universal preset in whatever software you are going to use. Profile 3 would be the safest for the widest range of support with h264 but if you are using an ipad I believe profile 4 should be just fine.

I don't own any apple products but this is from my experience using an off brand tablet that was picky with video formats.

I'm sure others with more apple specific experience will be able to fill in more specifics.

But generally the apple universal profile in handbrake should be the way to go (and check your resolution accordingly - sd for the smaller devices and sub sd (320x240) for the older or less capable units).

[alexeliasson]

Thrilled to get such an great and quick reply!

Perhaps I was unclear in my first question. Whichever avi/xvid i execute through the mkvtomp4 is _not_ playable in _any_ apple-device or itunes of that matter. The video stutters.

I'll try handbrake as you recommended!

[jman98]

Perhaps I was unclear in my first question. Whichever avi/xvid i execute through the mkvtomp4 is _not_ playable in _any_ apple-device or itunes of that matter. The video stutters.

You're unclear in this too. In English if you say "not playable" it means it WILL NOT PLAY AT ALL. Then you say "the video stutters". Well, if it won't play, it won't stutter. If you mean "it's not playable without stuttering" then that's what you need to say. We have many helpful members here, some of whom do not speak English as a first language, and you really don't want people getting confused about your problem because you don't describe it very well.

You may want to install MediaInfo and open a file that stutters and post the information MediaInfo gives you here. We might be able to see something in the settings that could be a problem.

[alexeliasson]

Ok, sorry! The word playable for me is that it a video that works without flaws. Playable, for me atleast, doesn't mean that you can hit the button play. But I guess your right - sorry once again!

I'm able to push the play button on any appledevice or itunes on a pc - but the video stutters. My first tought was that the program called _mkv_tomp4 perhaps only encodes .mkv files - and simply can't encode avi/xvid properly?

[hello_hello]

There could be a few reasons why the video doesn't play correctly. It could be an issue with the xvid settings used when encoding or the way the AVIs are muxed etc. My Android smartphone will play 1080p h264/MP4/MKV files flawlessly but it's hardware decoder isn't always happy with xvid/AVI. I've been meaning to try to work out why, but if I tell the Media Player to use the CPU instead it plays them fine so I've never gotten around to it. If memory serves me correctly Apple devices don't have terrific support for xvid/AVI type video. I think they tend to only support it at pretty low resolutions.

What about other AVIs.? Ones you didn't encode? Do they play okay? If so, maybe use MediaInfo to post the details of an Xvid/AVI which plays okay and one which doesn't to see if there's any obvious differences. In the meantime, maybe open one of your AVIs using VirtualDubMod and resave it as a new AVI. When the "save" window opens, make sure you select "direct stream copy" as the video encoding method so VDMod will simply resave the AVI rather than try to encode it. Try the new version to see if it works any better.