iPod Several Questions about iTunes and iPods

[kitki83]

Ok I am going to list my questions and if you know one please clarify my confusion. I appreciate the help.

1. I am converting my DVDs to iTunes with iPod video but they are not loading to my iPod Nano (video) here is info on one movie
30 Days of Nights
MPEG-4
1.3 GB
Dimension 640x272
Codecs H.264, AAC
Channel Count:2
Total Bit Rate: 1698
Under MR Wiki I meet the dimension requirement for ipod playback and in Handbrake I choose iPod High Res option so I don't know why it won't load to my ipod.

2. I am interested in getting an iPod Classic and saw the old refurbs models 160gb is cheaper overall than the newer models of 120gb. I wanted to know do these models have the capability of audio recording like the 120gb and if I get a third party earphones/mic would work instead of getting the Apple $70 version?
Earphone/Mic made for iPhone

Thank you,

 

[surgedc5]

Codecs H.264

im not sure, but i dont think ipods can play h.264 (someone correct me if wrong), try using the low-res option on handbrake since the res is smaller on the nano.

 

[DoFoT9]

im not sure, but i dont think ipods can play h.264 (someone correct me if wrong), try using the low-res option on handbrake since the res is smaller on the nano.

wrong, it can play h.264, thats the main codec that apple advertises haha!!!


the old ipods cannot do audio recording

i think the problem lies with the overall bitrate

 

[Chundles]

That video will certainly play back on the iPod nano.

If you are using the iPod Hi Rez setting and not changing anything then it should be fine. Try ripping it again as there may be an issue with the file itself.

I put The Dark Knight on my 4G iPod nano and it plays back perfectly using the following settings:

H.264 2000kbps video bit rate
1030x432 (loose anamorphic - if you keep the vertical rez below 480 it works beautifully)
Two Pass encoding.

The video looks amazing on the iPod, iPhone and on the computer.

 

[shahr04360]

1. Try convert using iTunes encoding feature for your iPod/iPhone.
2. By 3rd party mic/earphone, I think you would.

 

[kitki83]

1. Try convert using iTunes encoding feature for your iPod/iPhone.
2. By 3rd party mic/earphone, I think you would.

I use the iTunes encoding feature but wanted to know does it drop the quality that when putting it on say 20-30in tv screen will it look crap?

I have the latest version of handbrake and which preset do I use to make it work in any ipod and still look decent on tv screen. Just not sure what area to look at as in bitrate or resolution to make this work.



Left Video doesnt load while the right side does, are widescreen not compatible with ipods?
Thank you everyone for your help so far.

edit: testing each of my movies and I think widescreen videos are the ones not loading into my ipod.

 

[shahr04360]

I use the iTunes encoding feature but wanted to know does it drop the quality that when putting it on say 20-30in tv screen will it look crap?

Try encoding for TV feature instead. They already set to best effort setting for TV. Otherwise buy from iTunes Store. Encoded TV version of movie won't load into your iPod and likewise. That's why they give us two options.