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Handbrake: Apple TV and iPod Video Compatability

J

jon31rm

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 15, 2007
94
0
I did some searching and came up with nothing, so I'm asking for any advice.

The goal I have in mind is to have all of my DVD's in iTunes, and synced to AppleTV. I would also like to be able to sync a few movies at a time to my iPod Video, for the occasional road trip or what not.

I am currently using the High-Res iPod Video settings (640 x ___), with the bitrate cranked up to 2500kbps. I just have a few movies ripped so far, and the quality on my MacBook looks no different than the quality of the AppleTV setting. However, I currently do not own an AppleTV, so I have no way of knowing what the quality looks like on my 19" HDTV. So...

1. Will these files even be compatible with AppleTV?
2. If so, would it be worth it quality-wise to continue using this setting?

I'm tempted to just start over and use the AppleTV setting (especially if the High-Res iPod setting isn't compatible) and just forget about having movies on my iPod.

I'll shut up and gladly listen to advice now. :)
 
Oh, and just one more question to clarify before I buy an AppleTV from craigslist...

The 1.0 version with the software update is no different from the 2.0 version, correct?
 
emt1 said:
The first version and take 2 are the same.

Also, you should re-encode the videos, but don't use the AppleTV setting as using a constant bitrate is wasteful.

See my post here...

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/473909/

It's the last one.
Click to expand...
Um, in all fairness the AppleTV preset is not constant bitrate. It is variable bitrate but just keeps an average that you select.

Also realize that with those crf settings and no vbv buffering you do run the risk of crazy bitrate spikes and bloated file sizes on a "noisy" or complex source, such as live concert footage or old 80's movies in some cases. I am a big fan of crf however it has its downsides as well if not properly implemented. Which is why the built in preset uses abr instead of crf.
 
On a 19" set, it is unlikely you will see any differences. As the screen size grows, so do the visual defects inherent in the iPod presets.

There are a few (lengthy) discussions about a "God Preset" in Handbrake which will appease the gods of h.264, but I don't believe in "God Presets." As a preset atheist, I can only encourage you to test and determine what religion suits you. Me? I re-encode for iPhone if/when I need to take a movie with me.

There has been no hardware changes to the AppleTV that we know of. All changes have been free updates: 1.0 -> 1.1 -> 2.0 -> 2.01 -> 2.02
 
Alright well just in case anyone was wondering, I got the AppleTV today and the video files are compatible, and they look just as good as a DVD on my parent's 52" hdtv. I won't re-rip the files I've already done, but I will start using the AppleTV preset in Handbrake as there are slightly better quality.

Thanks for the answers
 
My Setup uses my Mac mini with my Apple TV there I keep all my movies etc in the Apple TV Format, I have a Xp machine with a terrabyte or so where I keep my Ipof Friendly Movies and TV shows. I Find this is the best way of doing things
 
Isn't there a way in iTunes to switch/convert the kind of file? For example if you ripped it as hi res ipod & wanted to watch it on your apple tv isn't there a way to tell itunes to switch format?
 
jon31rm said:
Alright well just in case anyone was wondering, I got the AppleTV today and the video files are compatible, and they look just as good as a DVD on my parent's 52" hdtv. I won't re-rip the files I've already done, but I will start using the AppleTV preset in Handbrake as there are slightly better quality.

Thanks for the answers
Click to expand...

bewarned, the AppleTV preset encodes will *not* transfer to your ipod (or any ipod for that matter). iPods do not support bframes in the advanced options.
 
ipod/apple tv movie version

I've tried several difference settings to backup my library and I've found the best result as far as size vs quality is using the Apple TV setting. That setting is NOT constant bitrate it is constant QUALITY. Using that setting and moving the quality scale to 22 or 62.75 which is one tick above the default yield really good clarity and I even use that setting for Blu-ray backup and the file size still comes under 3 gb per movie in HD. Using the standard 20 scale always shows some lines and some graininess. With the 22 setting it's looks great on everything from the LCD to my 12 ft projection screen.
Be aware that the apple tv setting or any setting that provide good clarity on your TV is NOT ipod compatible and so you must make a 2nd copy to if you want to view on both.
 
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