Convert for iPhone using mencoder/ffmpeg
UPDATE: Check out my even newer post for detailed instructions.
UPDATE: Check my newer post for detailed instructions.
I found this through the Google cache of I found this at http://www.dudek.org/blog/82. I’m not sure why I couldn’t access it before, but, like Mark Twain, the reports of its death were greatly exaggerated. For me, the most relevant part is the ffmpeg command line:
iphone video
INFILE=”$1″
OUTFILE=”$2″
ffmpeg -f mp4 -vcodec mpeg4 -maxrate 1000 -b 700 -qmin 3 -qmax 5
-bufsize 4096 -g 300 -acodec aac -ab 192 -s 480×320 -aspect 4:3 -i “$INFILE” “$OUTFILE”
This should be fine with any ipod-like device, but it is customized for the iPhone screen size. The -s 480×320 refers to the size of the iPhone screen; customization for the video iPod would use the same incantation, but with a screen size of 320×240 to produce slightly smaller files. On the other hand, showing the video on TV would benefit from the larger size, or even 640×480. The Apple TV uses as much as 1280×720. (It is never worth using a larger size than your input footage, however, which is often limited to 640×480 for NTSC.)
I’ll look into whether ffmpeg can do dynamic aspect ratios like mencoder when I get a chance.
The original web cite you cite should be up (it’s mine) and it includes a few minor adjustments and updates.
Interesting – I still can’t access your site, but I see it’s not down. Did you switch DNS servers lately?
Edit: OK, now I can see it. Not sure what was going on. I took down the bulk of the text, since I only posted it because I thought it would get lost in the ether.
My commutes will be more fun now. Thanks!
Whups I spoke too soon, this doesn’t work at all. For starters you should have -i a lot earlier on the line. There are some other errors as well, here is what I got so far:
INFILE=”$1″
OUTFILE=”$1.mp4″
ffmpeg -i “$INFILE” -f mp4 -vcodec mpeg4 -maxrate 1000k -b 700k -qmin 3 -qmax 5 -bufsize 4096k -g 300 -acodec libfaac -ab 192k -s 480×320 -aspect 4:3 “$OUTFILE”
Sadly it still doesn’t produce any results to be proud of, the video encodes into a half-speed, double-length monster. Audio plays back fine.
@Martin
So… why isn’t iTunes importing my files? When I use ‘add file to library’, nothing seems to happen. I don’t get this.. I used the syntax like the ones above, file command says:
root@mybox:/home/pino# file *.avi
24.S07E01.720p.HDTV.X264-DIMENSION.avi: ISO Media, MPEG v4 system, version 1
24.S07E02.720p.HDTV.X264-DIMENSION.avi: ISO Media, MPEG v4 system, version 1
Any thoughts/help?
since i solved the same problems, but were able to handle them, here are my personal ffmpeg (version 0.5.*) settings for a one-pass ffmpeg encode to an ipod 5G compatible mp4 with reasonable speed:
for 320×240 (ipod):
ffmpeg -i INPUT.AVI -acodec libfaac -ac 2 -vcodec mpeg4 -s 320×240 -b 500kb -ab 96kb -coder 1 -flags +aic+cbp+loop+mv4+naq -trellis 1 OUTPUT.MP4
and for 640×480 (iphone, appletv…):
ffmpeg -i INPUT.AVI -acodec libfaac -ac 2 -vcodec mpeg4 -s 640×480 -b 1000kb -ab 96kb -coder 1 -flags +aic+cbp+loop+mv4+naq -trellis 1 OUTPUT.MP4
the aspect ration will always be honoured, but since i only used these settings with an ipod, i can just expect the iphone to play them correctly — may the force be with you *hehe*
ps: i assembled a script to make it very easy to do that job, interested?
Sure – please post it. I’m using DTb and Handbrake these days, but always looking for ways to tweak the process.