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Way to convert 1080p mkv file into apple tv friendly 720p video without visualhub?

gregvet

gregvet

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 21, 2008
104
2
Brighton, UK
As I missed the boat with visualhub (no longer available), I am trying to find a way to convert ripped 1080p video into apple TV friendly HD format. Is there an alternative program to do this? And why does handbrake not allow this, given that it can deal with the mkv file in the first place!
 
I have used Handbrake to transcode many 1080p MKVs down to 720p M4Vs with bitrates from 4000 to 6000 kbs with both 2 ch AAC & 5.1 ch AC3 soundtracks.

Handbrake works a treat!
 
Yes I now realise that if I start with the Quicktime setting that it is possible. I was starting with the apple tv setting (doh!). Any suggestions as to the settings to use?
 
gregvet said:
Yes I now realise that if I start with the Quicktime setting that it is possible. I was starting with the apple tv setting (doh!). Any suggestions as to the settings to use?
Click to expand...

I have always used the AppleTV preset, nothing else!

I have been using:-

AppleTV

2 Pass - Turbo 1st Pass

3000 to 6000kbs depending on source

1280 x whatever

AAC Pro Logic II

AC3 Passthrough

Thats about it!

Cheers
 
brobins said:
I have always used the AppleTV preset, nothing else!

I have been using:-

AppleTV

2 Pass - Turbo 1st Pass

3000 to 6000kbs depending on source

1280 x whatever

AAC Pro Logic II

AC3 Passthrough

Thats about it!

Cheers
Click to expand...

When converting 1080p MKV files to 720p M4V files for my Apple TV, I use Handbrake's Apple TV preset, but make the following tweaks:

- Set the framerate to 24
- Set anamorphic to "none"
- Set the picture width to 1280 x whatever the original ratio comes out to

I also check to make sure that Handbrake is set to make a second Passthru track, and select any forced subtitles.

Occasionally, this will yield a file too big for Apple TV, in which case I re-encode, setting the target file size to 4000.
 
rayward said:
Occasionally, this will yield a file too big for Apple TV, in which case I re-encode, setting the target file size to 4000.
Click to expand...
erm, if you are starting with the appletv preset then it means "Large file size" is checked which means it creates a 64 bit mp4 which can be really as large as you wish. without that checked its a 32 bit mp4 which can not be > 4 GB. The atv itself plays pretty much any size mp4 file, as long as its 64 bit.
 
now if you are using handbrake and converting an mkv 1080p file does it keep the 1080p when making it an mp4 file?
 
dynaflash said:
erm, if you are starting with the appletv preset then it means "Large file size" is checked which means it creates a 64 bit mp4 which can be really as large as you wish. without that checked its a 32 bit mp4 which can not be > 4 GB. The atv itself plays pretty much any size mp4 file, as long as its 64 bit.
Click to expand...

I select the ATV preset, before making my tweaks, which checks the large file size box as you say. But still, if the file is over 5 gigs, it doesn't show up in the menu on my Apple TV.
 
rayward said:
I select the ATV preset, before making my tweaks, which checks the large file size box as you say. But still, if the file is over 5 gigs, it doesn't show up in the menu on my Apple TV.
Click to expand...

That'll be because the bit-rate of the movie has exceeded the Apple TV's limitation, not really anything to do with the size of the file. My Godfather 2 Blu-Ray rip is 6.5Gb in size, but the bitrate is within limits and looks and plays fine. The Apple TV preset in HandBrake is a little too rich (in terms of CQ percentage setting) for hi def content (IMHO). You can either control it with what you are doing now (setting the target size), or lower the CQ value for hi def content. Somewhere between 57 - 59% should give you acceptable quality and keep it within the ATV's limitations.
There are many arguments on here and over on the HandBrake forums about best perceived quality, but i think it is generally accepted that the target size option is the worst of the three options, with CQ being the best.
It's all about what looks good for you though.
Cheers
 
bucksaddle said:
That'll be because the bit-rate of the movie has exceeded the Apple TV's limitation, not really anything to do with the size of the file. My Godfather 2 Blu-Ray rip is 6.5Gb in size, but the bitrate is within limits and looks and plays fine. The Apple TV preset in HandBrake is a little too rich (in terms of CQ percentage setting) for hi def content (IMHO). You can either control it with what you are doing now (setting the target size), or lower the CQ value for hi def content. Somewhere between 57 - 59% should give you acceptable quality and keep it within the ATV's limitations.
There are many arguments on here and over on the HandBrake forums about best perceived quality, but i think it is generally accepted that the target size option is the worst of the three options, with CQ being the best.
It's all about what looks good for you though.
Cheers
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. I'm ok with the encodes I've made with the file size limited, they look good, but I'll try the CQ fix next time this happens.
 
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