MP4s don't play all the way through on iPod

[java13690]

Bit of an obscure question here.

Whenever I transcode a video (either from a file or capture device) to mp4 and put it on my iPod, the video stops playing after about 30 minutes.

Anything under 30 mins is fine on the iPod, but the longer videos just go black and go back to the iPod menu after 29ish minutes.

The transcoded videos play without any problems in VLC and in iTunes. The options I am using are shown below.

Any ideas why this is happening and what to do?

Thanks.

Encapsulation method: MP4
Video codec: mp4v, bitrate: 1024kb/s, scale: 1
Audio codec: mp4a, bitrate: 128kb/s, channels: 2

Dimensions:
352x288 (PAL - for capturing from video card connected to DVD recorder to be put onto the iPod.)
340x240 (when transcoding downloaded video for the iPod.)

[loqu]

Hey java,

What are your source video specs?

I've had trouble in the past when transcoding certain input containers to file, especially if the file is corrupt. The iPod seams to only really like 320x240.

I've also noticed problems with my CPU corrupting data, because it is getting too hot while encoding.

I'd also recommend trying something like what is stated here under "Oddly Sized input videos". http://wiki.videolan.org/Ipod

Hope it helps.

[java13690]

The video is coming from the DVD/HDD recorder's composite out sockets via a USB video capture device (specs listed here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/KWorld-MAKER-US ... lectronics)

The iPod plays longer videos (30+ mins) fine when I capture to an AVI file (using VirtualDub) and then convert to mp4 (with Videora iPod Converter), no matter what size they are (below 640x480).

It would just be quicker if I could capture directly to an mp4 file with VLC instead of having to capture then convert.

Videos captured in VLC that are under 30 minutes play without problems on the iPod too, again no matter what size they are. It is just the longer ones that are problematic, but the problem only happens when I play them on the iPod, it does not occur in iTunes or in VLC.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

[loqu]

Any ideas?

Let me just start by saying that these are just shots in the dark.

• I know that the video bit rate does not stay at exactly what is specified, so maybe at around 29 minutes, there's a bit rate jump beyond the limits of the ipod? Try setting the video bit rate at something like 512kb (or 756kb) just to check.
• Make sure the FPS is never more than 30 (not 30.333). 24 FPS should be fine.

I'm happy to help more, but I'd probably need to see a sample video.

[bobajobbob]

Hi,

I have a very similar problem. I have a Sony KDL-46NX703 and I have tried encoding a couple of DVDs into MP4 to play from a memory stick in the USB port.

The videos were both taken directly from the DVDs and both play fine in VLC but both stop at 25 minutes on the TV. In fact, they cause the TV to depower and reboot.

I used the default H.264 profile except for setting 50fps and 10 channels of sound. I'm a bit of a newbee at this, I set the sound channels because I noticed some of the sound missing from previous transcodes.

Did you ever get to the bottom of this?

Bob