Cannot create iPod compatible files

Discuss about generic usage of MediaCoder.

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pgordash
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Cannot create iPod compatible files

Post by pgordash » Sun Jun 14, 2009 4:09 am

I have tried both the regular version and the iPod version of MediaCoder to create iPod compatible files. When the files are created, iTunes will not allow them to be added with the error "file cannot be played on this iPod". When it is opened in QuickTime I get an error 2048.

I am trying to create a 640x480 x624 file with an 800kbps bit rate, FAAC audio using AAC as the container with 128kbps.

Can anyone help me with this?

I've tried Super and Videora and they both create files that will play but I like the layout of MediaCoder and would prefer to use it as my tool of choice.

Thanks,
Paul

beaker1991
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Re: Cannot create iPod compatible files

Post by beaker1991 » Thu Jun 18, 2009 1:58 pm

You do not specify your iPod version. I have an old 60GB iPod video version 5G and have received the same error from iTunes. Here is what I have learned.

The iPod 5G (like mine) has the following video specs:
H.264 video: up to 768 Kbps, 320 x 240, 30 frames per sec., Baseline Profile up to Level 1.3 with AAC-LC up to 160 Kbps, 48 Khz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4 and .mov file formats
MPEG-4 video: up to 2.5 mbps, 480 x 480, 30 frames per sec., Simple Profile with AAC-LC up to 160 Kbps, 48 Khz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4 and .mov file formats

The iPod 5.5G and later have the following or similar video specs:
H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per sec., Baseline Low-Complexity Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48 kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; H.264 video, up to 768 Kbps, 320 by 240 pixels, 30 frames per sec., Baseline Profile up to Level 1.3 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48 kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per sec., Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48 kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats

From the above specs note the difference in the H.264. The 5G says it can only play up to 320x240 @ 768Kbps and the 5.5G is 640x480 @ 1.5Mbps.

As far as I know there is no hardware difference between the 5G and 5.5G. The 6G (first iPod classic) and 7G (current iPod classic) have updated hardware but should be functionally the same.

I know from experience that my 5G will play the higher resolution files, but have from time to time received the error "file cannot be played on this iPod" from iTunes. Here is a link to a post in a Handbrake (another "free" video encoder) forum. Note: the line "All it does is add a tiny piece of data to the container that allows iTunes to sync the content to a 5G (assuming it is otherwise compatible)." This refers to an option in Handbrake that will make the file iPod 5G compatible. From this I deduce that there is a code that has to be added to the file to get some, especially older, iPods to recognize the higher resolution files. Using Handbrake with this option is the only program that I have found that will reliably convert video for use on my iPod. I hope this helps.

One other thing, you said you use the FAAC encoder. Try the Nero Encoder to see if it is an audio encoding issue.

Here is the link:
http://forum.handbrake.fr/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=8283

beaker1991
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Re: Cannot create iPod compatible files

Post by beaker1991 » Sun Jun 21, 2009 5:24 pm

alexxzone you do not specify what version you have.

According to Apple the older 5G (mine is the 60GB) has different specs then the 5.5G and later. Here is the link to Apple's support page:
http://support.apple.com/kb/SP41
Here is the link to the 5.5G:
https://support.apple.com/specs/ipod/iP ... _2006.html
As far as I can tell there is no difference in hardware between the 5G and 5.5G but for some reason Apple has blocked h264 video greater than 320x240 @ 768Kb from being loaded onto the 5G unless it is encoded just so (i.e. the special code I mentioned). The 5G is capable of h264 640x480 @ 1.5Mb video and I have loaded and played it back on my iPod. However, Handbrake and Nero are the only programs so far that I have found that can reliably encode the video so it will work on my iPod. Side note: the current iPod classic is capable of h264 640x480 @ 2.5Mb. Also when encoding you need to pay attention to the encoding profile. All iPods use the Baseline profile, but older iPods support up to 1.3 and the current iPod classic can support up to 3.0.

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