vocasts and ipod

[getch]

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Hi Folks,

I have looked at the ipod Classic features manual, looking for info on downloading video podcasts/Vodcasts into itunes, and playing them in ipod Classic. I couldn't get from the manual what I needed to understand the video issue . Does anyone have any advice, anything that I should know, or do, before downloading and playing these two types of video? I have read bits here and there about having to change format of videos for successful download to itunes and playback on Classic. I am not techy enough to understand.
I have tried downloading a Bill Moyers/PBS Vodcast. It downloaded to itunes but won't go the the ipod.

Questions:

1) Do I have to do some sort of conversion to download and play video podcasts and Vodcasts? 2) Are video podcasts different from Vodcasts? Or are they the same format--just named differently? Is there anything that I need to do differently in the download process and playback of these two types of video?

Thank you and

[WyethDigital]

"Vodcast" is just someone's attempt at branding some tech jargon to downloadable video. Vodcast, podcast... the names are just jargon that mean nothing more than the videos are supposed to be portable (playable on computer or media players). I wouldn't worry about the distinctions in the name. The video formats for iPods are mov, mp4, or m4v

I am a little confused when you say that you can't play videos in "iPod Classic." I assume you mean that you have an iPod Classic (http://www.apple.com/ipodclassic/)and you can't get some of the video podcasts that you download into iTunes to play on them?

If you get video podcasts from iTunes, they are supposed to play on iPods; but there are a couple of caveats to that, and a bit of a catch. First, when it comes to items in the iTunes Podcast Directory, Apple supplies the specs we're all supposed to follow, but leaves it up to the producers to make sure they follow them (and supply the correct format). Second, since iPods are a bit finicky when it comes to video bitrates, and the encoding specs can be a little difficult to master for those who want to save bandwidth by making their own adjustments to Apple's specs, you sometimes end up with files that don't import to iPods.

Now here's "the catch:" Apple has different specs for their devices. There's a different one for your model iPod, for the iPhone/iPod touch, and the AppleTV. Lately, Apple has been pushing producers to utilize the highest quality specs for AppleTV (probably to add value to the device by providing a library of high quality free programming). But, not all specs play on all devices. So a podcast you download may play on an AppleTV, but not on a iPod Classic.

What can you do about it? You should be able to highlight a video that didn't transfer, and then in the Advanced Menu you should see an option for "Convert Selection for iPod/iPhone." Depending on the length of the podcast, you should just have to wait a couple of minutes for it to convert and then you can transfer it. A pain, but at least Apple has given the problem some thought.

Eric

[getch]

Eric,

Thanks a lot. That did the job. It took MANY minutes for the conversion, though. But the programs that I am interested in are usually an hour long.

Thanks again
Randy

[WyethDigital]

Eric,

Thanks a lot. That did the job. It took MANY minutes for the conversion, though. But the programs that I am interested in are usually an hour long.

Thanks again
Randy

That's because the videos are an hour long. It may also have something to do with the speed of your computer, and the fact that the video is being converted to the same disk. I don't think iTunes gives you the option to convert to a different hard disk, but if you use another program (like Quicktime or MPEG Streamclip), and you have another hard disk, you can save up to 1/3 of the conversion time by converting it to a different disk than the original file.

Eric

[getch]

Hi Eric,

I have an external SimpleTech, 100 Gig hard drive. How would I do what you are suggesting, exactly, using the external drive. Sorry if I am a little slow here.

Is there a way that I can do this conversion in Quicktime and then import to itunes, which I really like as my home base. In just a quick check of Quicktime Help, I didn't see anything about vodcast file format conversion.

Thanks
Randy

[WyethDigital]

Is there a way that I can do this conversion in Quicktime and then import to itunes, which I really like as my home base. In just a quick check of Quicktime Help, I didn't see anything about vodcast file format conversion.
Hi Randy,

First, in itunes, Right Click on the video and choose the command that says "Show file in finder" (if you use a Windows version, it may be called something else, but the function should be the same). Then drag the file to your application's icon to open it (can you do that on Windows?).

I don't know if this works in the standard issue Quicktime Player software, or if you need to upgrade to Quicktime Pro ($30), but in the File menu look for the "Export" option. When that is selected it should show a Export dialogue box that lets you export to a different disk, and a pulldown menu that gives you different Export formats. With Quicktime Pro, you'll have more options (if you have the export option at all without it). Look for the "Movie to iPod" option and click "Save."

If you don't have QT Pro, and you can't export without it (and you don't want to spend $30), then you can try the free, and very excellent MPEG StreamClip (http://www.squared5.com/)software. All you do for that is go to the File Menu and select "Export to MPEG-4." That will open a dialogue that gives you a lot of options, but the only one you'll need is the "iPod" button in the upper right corner. When you click it, it will give you some size options. The thing to keep in mind is that you need to choose the shape of your video. 4:3 means the video is the old TV-shape ("square"), and 16:9 is the new TV shape ("widescreen") . Choose any of the options that best reflect the format of the video (if your video is widescreen but you choose a 4:3 option, it will squeeze your video; and if a 4:3 is converted to 16:9 it will stretch it). Size also determines compression time. For example, the new 640x480 (4:3) size will take less time to convert than the 320x240 (4:3) size, but the file size will be doubled. So choose your size then click "Ok." Then click the "Make MP4" button at the bottom Right of the box, and it will take you to a dialogue that asks where you want to save it. Save to your other disk.

Whether you use QT or MPEG StreamClip, you will be able to reimport that file into iTunes. Just use either the "import" or the "Add to Library" command in iTunes' file menu.

Eric