Home Movies for Itunes

[uva25]

I just downloaded EMC 9 for the purpose of taking my home movies from VOB format on a dvd and converting to MPEG 4 format so I can use them with the new Apple TV. What is the easiest way to do this and will I lose any quality from the VOB format? I will be playing on a big screen tv so it matters more than if I was just playing on my video IPOD. The VOB files were originally created by capturing my mini dv onto a dvd via a Sony GX-7 dvd recorder. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[uva25]

One way to find out - wait until you get the device and try it. You may have to use iTunes to convert your files. Apple is well known for using proprietary formats.

I agree. I'm going on the assumption that if ITUNES recognizes it, it will work on Apple TV.

[Beerman]

I just downloaded EMC 9 for the purpose of taking my home movies from VOB format on a dvd and converting to MPEG 4 format so I can use them with the new Apple TV. What is the easiest way to do this and will I lose any quality from the VOB format? I will be playing on a big screen tv so it matters more than if I was just playing on my video IPOD. The VOB files were originally created by capturing my mini dv onto a dvd via a Sony GX-7 dvd recorder. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I'd suggest trying one out to see. I personally have no idea but when you take a DVD compliant file and compress it to mpeg4 format, you will definitely loose quality.

[uva25]

I just downloaded EMC 9 for the purpose of taking my home movies from VOB format on a dvd and converting to MPEG 4 format so I can use them with the new Apple TV. What is the easiest way to do this and will I lose any quality from the VOB format? I will be playing on a big screen tv so it matters more than if I was just playing on my video IPOD. The VOB files were originally created by capturing my mini dv onto a dvd via a Sony GX-7 dvd recorder. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks for the info. I thought MPEG 4 was going to be the norm for high definition dvr's going forward.

[Beerman]

Thanks for the info. I thought MPEG 4 was going to be the norm for high definition dvr's going forward.

True and I haven't yet embraced HDTV yet and there's all kinds of things that are too happen. Now, they're using mpeg compression and are experimenting with mpeg 4 (I think I read in S. Carolina). But as mpeg4 uses about half the bit rate of mpeg 2, there's work to be done.

I still think you should try it and see if it musters up to your liking. Let us know.

[ggrussell]

Thanks for the info. I thought MPEG 4 was going to be the norm for high definition dvr's going forward.

They are using MPEG 4 because it has higher compression - meaning you can get HDTV within the same bandwidth as standard def MPEG 2 files. Has little to do with QUALITY. Some will argue that MPEG 4 gets better quality at lower bitrates, too, but I find that is still an individual perception.

 

But to answer your original question, use Videowave. Load your VOB and then OUTPUT TO FILE. There are several MPEG 4 options. You'll just need to find the one that suits your needs.

[uva25]

They are using MPEG 4 because it has higher compression - meaning you can get HDTV within the same bandwidth as standard def MPEG 2 files. Has little to do with QUALITY. Some will argue that MPEG 4 gets better quality at lower bitrates, too, but I find that is still an individual perception.

 

But to answer your original question, use Videowave. Load your VOB and then OUTPUT TO FILE. There are several MPEG 4 options. You'll just need to find the one that suits your needs.

Thanks. I'll give it a shot tonight and report back on the quality.

[uva25]

Thanks. I'll give it a shot tonight and report back on the quality.

1)I was able to give it a shot last night. The Disc Copier was able to copy from either my VOB or MPEG2 files fairly easily. ITUNES immediately recognized the two new MPEG 4 files and I was able to play either. I can't test how well they will look on a big screen until I get the Apple TV. I did have an issue though, when I picked the format to copy the files to. Once I selected the "IPOD" choice, eveything worked fine. My issue is that the "IPOD" choice has pretty low resolution. If I tried to use a customized MPEG 4 format, ITUNES would not recognzie the files. I'd like to record in the highest possible resolution as I will eventaully be playing the home movies on a 60 inch screen.

 

Here are the video formats that Apple says should work:

 

Video formats supported: H.264 and protected H.264 (from iTunes Store): 640 by 480, 30 fps, LC version of Baseline Profile; 320 by 240, 30 fps, Baseline profile up to Level 1.3; 1280 by 720, 24 fps, Progressive Main Profile. MPEG-4: 640 by 480, 30 fps, Simple Profile

 

 

2)I tried to use the "Convert" feature but couldn't open it. At the Home page I clicked convert and the home page would minimize and eventually the Home page would come back up but I don't notice any "Convert" function. Any suggestions?

[ggrussell]

Load your VOB or MPEG into Videowave. Select OUTPUT TO FILE. There you have other choices for MPEG4.

AVC better: 720x480 29.97fps AAC sound

AVC good: 320x240, 29.97fps, AAC sound

AVC smaller: 160x120, 29.96fps, AAC sound

[uva25]

Load your VOB or MPEG into Videowave. Select OUTPUT TO FILE. There you have other choices for MPEG4.

AVC better: 720x480 29.97fps AAC sound

AVC good: 320x240, 29.97fps, AAC sound

AVC smaller: 160x120, 29.96fps, AAC sound

Ok, I'll try but I think i had simlar options in Disc Copy. Based on what Apple is saying, which of the choices that you listed should work with ITUNES? thanks.

[ggrussell]

One way to find out - wait until you get the device and try it. You may have to use iTunes to convert your files. Apple is well known for using proprietary formats.