The basics of managing multiple file sizes (AppleTV and two iPods)

[lali]

Hello

I am ripping TV shows from DVD and gathering some from .mkv 720p/1080p from the interwebs and I am struggling to find the proper workflow. What I intend to have as a finished product is this:

-Two encodes. One for AppleTV, one for iPod touch & Nano, at the max res. that each device can handle.
-Files tagged properly and permanently (no more tagging in iTunes!)
-"Combine" two files into one for view in iTunes (with Subler)

As far as I know, here is what I need to do:

1.) Rip individual episodes from DVD.
2. Naming of the files; should I:
a.) Name the files as they are most likely to be named (ex: prison.break.S01E01.mp4). Useful for MetaX (?)
b.) Name the files as per the episode title? (ex: 01. Pilot.mp4)
3. Use MetaX for tags
4. Use subler for combining the cnID numbers of same episode but different encode, and embed the cover art, and create the HD tag.

That should do it I guess? I am wondering how people on this forum are managing dual encodes for every episode they rip.

I would like to have the best performance possible for my AppleTV encode since I have a TV that can really benefit from the highest resolution possible.

Thanks

Francois

PS: Is is true that .mp4 is stereo only, and .mov can contain multi-channel audio? If so, I am screwed since Subler appears to only work with .mp4

 

[musicpenguy]

I have been wondering the same thing - how does Apple do it - HD version and SD versions - you don't see both - how could an end user do the same thing?

Any ideas!

 

[lali]

I have been wondering the same thing - how does Apple do it - HD version and SD versions - you don't see both - how could an end user do the same thing?

Any ideas!

musicpenguy

I am just starting to understand this. Both files (HD and SD) share the same cnID number. You could do the same thing. Download subler. Open the file. Under "metadata", do "+", choose cnID. Input a random number and input the same number on your second file. Now they will show as one in iTunes. I have no idea how the numbering sequence works. I was thinking of doing it randomly.

Thanks

 

[randy98mtu]

Input a random number and input the same number on your second file. Now they will show as one in iTunes. I have no idea how the numbering sequence works. I was thinking of doing it randomly.

Thanks

Quick tip to make sure you don't end up using the same number again. The CnID is 9 digits, so I do YYYYMMDDX. So today my CnID would be 20091125x. Unless you do more than 10 movies in a day you should be all set. No more trying to figure out if you've already used a number before.

 

[wysinawyg]

Quick tip to make sure you don't end up using the same number again. The CnID is 9 digits, so I do YYYYMMDDX. So today my CnID would be 20091125x. Unless you do more than 10 movies in a day you should be all set. No more trying to figure out if you've already used a number before.

Heh, cut the 2 off the front to give 100 movies a day.

Unlikely the Y3K bug will be a real issue for most

 

[richpjr]

I struggled with this for a long time (same with music - Apple lossless vs ACC for my CD's that I have ripped). I finally decided to create two separate iTunes libraries - one high quality for the Apple TV and listening to music through the stereo, and another lesser quality for my iPods. I keep two separate directories with the files in them. The only downside is having to select a different iTunes library when I synch my iPods, but it's not that big of a deal.

 

[GermanSuplex]

I use MetaX for Windows, but I have used Subler on the Mac and it is essentially the same.

If you already have the ripping correct (24fps for HD videos and correct specs for portables), the rest is easy (I rip each episode individually, remove bastard chapters (chapters that are usually at the end of a show that only lasts about a fraction of a second or so) and rip any 5.1 or commentary tracks. I then use the AAC track as default, the 5.1 track with AC-3 passthrough as the second track, and any commentary as AAC tracks on the third track (and fourth, if there is more than one commentary).

I would most definitely name the episodes as they are titled... i.e. "Pilot", "White Rabbit", or whatever the episode's title is. Then, you can add the TV rating.

Generally, in MetaX, all you really need to do for each episode is set the long comment, any actors, directors, producers, release date and rating. Album art, episode number, season number and art can easily be set in iTunes.

As long as both shows have the same cnid tag, they will be combined into one HD-SD entry in iTunes and sync properly to your devices.

I have a lot of HD-SD content in my iTunes library and it works great.

Hopefully, the next Apple portables will be able to play 720p video natively and then there will be little (if any) need for the SD resolutions in a couple year's time.

 

[randy98mtu]

Heh, cut the 2 off the front to give 100 movies a day.

Unlikely the Y3K bug will be a real issue for most

Yeah, but we are only talking HD movies and my computer can't handle more than 2 per day.