Encoding for ATV and ATV2 Best Solution Need Advice

[Wicked1]

Ok, so I decided not to Rip DVD's anymore but use HB and Encode right into iTunes.

I have ATV, ATV2, and Mini attached to Plasma TV, so I have been encoding for ATV format so it is universal, but what is the best format to use in all three situations, is ATV encoding the best, bc I do not think if I encode for ATV2 that my ATV will read the files?

 

[ragu]

Ok, so I decided not to Rip DVD's anymore but use HB and Encode right into iTunes.

I have ATV, ATV2, and Mini attached to Plasma TV, so I have been encoding for ATV format so it is universal, but what is the best format to use in all three situations, is ATV encoding the best, bc I do not think if I encode for ATV2 that my ATV will read the files?

I have found that best is the high profile setting works great

 

[roidy]

I have found that best is the high profile setting works great

If the OP wants one file that will work on all 3 devices then he needs to encode for the lowest spec device which is the ATV1. A file encoded with the ATV2 setting or the high profile setting will not play on the ATV1.

 

[blueroom]

Dump / sell the ATV1 and just use the ATV2 setting on Handbrake.

 

[Mfnd]

Out of interest will a handbrake file ripped for ATV2 also work on iPhone4 and iPad1? Am thinking of getting ATV but don't want loads of the same film so I can watch on different devices?

 

[dynaflash]

Okay so I have seen this asked "a lot" ... Here is the deal ... both the atv 1 and atv2 can only output 720p to the display device (your tv) so yes, while the atv2 can sort of decode 1080p you will never see it on your tv, since it has to downscale to 720p for display largely due to the measly 256 mb of soldered ram. The one difference between them is that the atv2 can decode 1080p ... with some limitations (high bitrates and some advanced opts can cause it to barf on 1080p encoding).

Now be that as it may. both devices in stock form will only output 720p to your tv.

Also realize, when using the HandBrake presets of either flavor, you are specifying a constant quality of the same rf value. What does this mean ? It means that HandBrake and the underlying x264 encoder will match a specified given visually perceptible quality level. That means the frankly the Atv 1 and Atv2 presets will ... in general produce the same "percerptible visual quality". that is the whole point.

So ... whats the difference?

1. Framerate: the atv 1 gives up 30fps at 720p to the atv2 (remember, they both can do 720 but this is a fine line of difference in stock form, the atv1 is limited to 540p30fps ((video)) where the atv is not).

2. While both presets being constant quality at rf 20 will produce the same visual quality ... the atv 2 preset will do so with generally a smaller file size and therefore bitrate. BUT, the visual quality of the same file encoded with each will be for all practical intents and purposes * the same*.

So, the general answer in my humble opinion is use the Legacy Apple Tv preset for both devices and don't look back. New and shiny does not mean *better*. They will both look the same (barring your 30fps HD stuff which the appletv 1 preset will nerf down to 540p and you will probably see a diff ... also note this only affects NTSC Video ... so no hit on major motion pictures since they are 24 fps).

All of this said its interesting the modified the AppleTV1 is the only apple device (besides computers) that can actually output 1080p to the display. Go figure.