Converting Video for Smartphones! (DETAILED GUIDE)

[Rocco Augusto]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This guide is intended for individuals that want to convert movies/tv shows to size and resolution suitable for Microsoft Windows Mobile Smartphones!
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PocketDivxEncoder

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Files Needed
-------------
PocketDivxEncoder (free - http://divx.ppccool.com)
Betaplayer (free - http://betaplayer.corecodec.org)

(This is most likely the easiest way for neophytes to video editing to get decent quality Divx files on their Smartphones)

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Guide
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Download PocketDivxEncoder and Betaplayer. Install Betaplayer to your Smartphone and then open PocketDivxEncoder.

01) Select the Smartphone picture (first image to the left)
02) Select file to encode
03) Select output file
04) Select output options
05) Click 'Direct Encoding' button

VOLA! You're all finished. Pretty simple, just 5 easy steps.

VirtualDub/VirtualDubMod

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Files Needed
-------------
VirtualDub (free - http://www.virtualdub.org)
VirtualDubMod (free - http://virtualdubmod.sourceforge.net)
Xvid 1.0.3 (free - http://www.koepi.org)
Betaplayer (free - http://betaplayer.corecodec.org)

(The difference between VirtualDub and VirtualDubMod is that VDM converts MPEG files. If your video files are in MPEG or the Matroska container format than this version of VD is for you. This guide is intended for individuals that want more control over their output files than you usually get with PocketDivxEncoder)

-------------
Guide
-------------
Install the Xvid codec to your PC as well as Betaplayer to your phone. Unzip VirtualDub/VirtualDubMod to a location of your choosing and you're all set to go!

01) Open VirtualDub
02) Select filters (VIDEO>FILTERS)
03) Click Add
------ Resize
------ New Width (176)
------ New Height (220)
------ Filter Mode (Bicubic)
------ Click OK
04) Click Add
------ Rotate
------ Right by 90 degrees
------ Click OK
05) Exit Filters
06) Apply 'Full Processing Mode' for video (VIDEO>FULL PROCESSING MODE)
07) Enter compression settings menu (VIDEO>COMPRESSION)
08) Select 'Xvid MPEG-4 Codec' and click the 'Configure' button
09) Xvid Settings
------- Profile @ Level (AS @ L5)
------- Encoding Type: (Single Pass)
------- Target Bitrate (kbps): 200 *click Target Quantizer to get bitrate*
10) Apply 'Full Processing Mode' for audio (AUDIO>FULL PROCESSING MODE)
11) enter compression settings menu (AUDIO>COMPRESSION)
12) select 'MPEG-3 Layer-3' and select the bitrate '24kBits/s, 12,000Hz, Stereo 3KB/s'
13) Save processing settings (FILE>SAVE PROCESSING SETTINGS)
14) Open file to encode (FILE>OPEN VIDEO FILE)
15) save output file (FILE>SAVE AS AVI)

Feel free to play around with the settings. These are the settings I use when encoding to my Audiovox 5600. Different Smartphones might yeild different results. Attached are my processing settings so you can just load them and encode (FILE>LOAD PROCESSING SETTINGS)

-opti-

-------------------------------------------
NOTE: I would write a guide for converting files to WMV format through Windows Media Player 10 except I have never honestly tried to convert files that way, for Smartphones, since I don't like the WMV codec (to fuzzy for my taste). Also from my understanding you can only do so if your phone has WMP10 on it already, which a lot of older Smartphones do not.

EDIT: 11/11/2005 - After FIVE months I have finally got around to encoding some WMV files to update this guide. Unfortunatly though I could not find a method of encoding those files where you would not only get 'good' picture quality but small filesizes as well. An hour long show came out to about 78MB at 128kbps and the image quality was VERY poor to say the least. That same file encoded with Xvid came out to about 56MB and the quality was fantastic. Go with Xvid if you want the best possible results. :)
-------------------------------------------

Just wanted to say thank you to Mike and the rest of the SPT crew for refering individuals to this guide. Also a special thank you goes out to everyone that has sent me thank you letters and input about ideas I could use in the updated version of this guide that I am working on. All questions and comments are always welcomed so keep em coming!

[Rocco Augusto]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This guide is intended for individuals that want to convert movies/tv shows to size and resolution suitable for Microsoft Windows Mobile Smartphones!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

PocketDivxEncoder

-------------
Files Needed
-------------
PocketDivxEncoder (free - http://divx.ppccool.com)
Betaplayer (free - http://betaplayer.corecodec.org)

(This is most likely the easiest way for neophytes to video editing to get decent quality Divx files on their Smartphones)

-------------
Guide
-------------
Download PocketDivxEncoder and Betaplayer. Install Betaplayer to your Smartphone and then open PocketDivxEncoder.

01) Select the Smartphone picture (first image to the left)
02) Select file to encode
03) Select output file
04) Select output options
05) Click 'Direct Encoding' button

VOLA! You're all finished. Pretty simple, just 5 easy steps.

VirtualDub/VirtualDubMod

-------------
Files Needed
-------------
VirtualDub (free - http://www.virtualdub.org)
VirtualDubMod (free - http://virtualdubmod.sourceforge.net)
Xvid 1.0.3 (free - http://www.koepi.org)
Betaplayer (free - http://betaplayer.corecodec.org)

(The difference between VirtualDub and VirtualDubMod is that VDM converts MPEG files. If your video files are in MPEG or the Matroska container format than this version of VD is for you. This guide is intended for individuals that want more control over their output files than you usually get with PocketDivxEncoder)

-------------
Guide
-------------
Install the Xvid codec to your PC as well as Betaplayer to your phone. Unzip VirtualDub/VirtualDubMod to a location of your choosing and you're all set to go!

01) Open VirtualDub
02) Select filters (VIDEO>FILTERS)
03) Click Add
------ Resize
------ New Width (176)
------ New Height (220)
------ Filter Mode (Bicubic)
------ Click OK
04) Click Add
------ Rotate
------ Right by 90 degrees
------ Click OK
05) Exit Filters
06) Apply 'Full Processing Mode' for video (VIDEO>FULL PROCESSING MODE)
07) Enter compression settings menu (VIDEO>COMPRESSION)
08) Select 'Xvid MPEG-4 Codec' and click the 'Configure' button
09) Xvid Settings
------- Profile @ Level (AS @ L5)
------- Encoding Type: (Single Pass)
------- Target Bitrate (kbps): 200 *click Target Quantizer to get bitrate*
10) Apply 'Full Processing Mode' for audio (AUDIO>FULL PROCESSING MODE)
11) enter compression settings menu (AUDIO>COMPRESSION)
12) select 'MPEG-3 Layer-3' and select the bitrate '24kBits/s, 12,000Hz, Stereo 3KB/s'
13) Save processing settings (FILE>SAVE PROCESSING SETTINGS)
14) Open file to encode (FILE>OPEN VIDEO FILE)
15) save output file (FILE>SAVE AS AVI)

Feel free to play around with the settings. These are the settings I use when encoding to my Audiovox 5600. Different Smartphones might yeild different results. Attached are my processing settings so you can just load them and encode (FILE>LOAD PROCESSING SETTINGS)

-opti-

-------------------------------------------
NOTE: I would write a guide for converting files to WMV format through Windows Media Player 10 except I have never honestly tried to convert files that way, for Smartphones, since I don't like the WMV codec (to fuzzy for my taste). Also from my understanding you can only do so if your phone has WMP10 on it already, which a lot of older Smartphones do not.

EDIT: 11/11/2005 - After FIVE months I have finally got around to encoding some WMV files to update this guide. Unfortunatly though I could not find a method of encoding those files where you would not only get 'good' picture quality but small filesizes as well. An hour long show came out to about 78MB at 128kbps and the image quality was VERY poor to say the least. That same file encoded with Xvid came out to about 56MB and the quality was fantastic. Go with Xvid if you want the best possible results. :)
-------------------------------------------

Just wanted to say thank you to Mike and the rest of the SPT crew for refering individuals to this guide. Also a special thank you goes out to everyone that has sent me thank you letters and input about ideas I could use in the updated version of this guide that I am working on. All questions and comments are always welcomed so keep em coming!

[David C]

I can share my way for converting to WMV files--No additional player needed.

1. Get the .VOB
2. Use DVD2AVI and end up with .d2v and .wav file
3. Use VFAIPConv-1.05-EN and turn the .d2v into a virtual .avi file
4. Use Windows Media Encoder 9, and encode using the .avi for video and the .wav for audio. On my I600, I have the video at 195k CBR and Audio at 48k VBR.

Play using Window Media Player, or use Betaplayer with ASF plugin to watch the movie at full screen.

[Spatulator]

Pocket Divx Encoder is great software. Its free, easy to use, makes good quality movies for smartphone. Encoding time is fast, what more could you want.

[Rebecca]

Here is a tip for the ones encoding in Vdub or pocketDivx Encoder:

Instead of AVI choose OGM with ogg audio. This will make a much smaller file with VBR audio.

And I use the following settings on my SMT 5600 with great results:

PocketDivx Encoder/VirtualDub:

Video: Divx 165kbps or Xvid (same results), 20fps, double pass
Audio: ogg, 48kbps 44khz stereo (to choose custom audio settings in PD Encoder you have to touch a small unoticiable arrow besides the audio quality slider).

Windows Media Encoder:

Video: WM 9 VBR 130 or 145 kbps depending on the movie, 20fps
Audio: WM 9 VBR 48kbps

[balaaan]

First of all, thanks a lot for this great post.
I'm trying to use VDM to resize my mpeg files but can't find the Audio tab on the VDM menu. I tried downloading & installing audio codecs with no luck..

Can someone help in explaining how to add audio codecs &/or show the Audio tab?

Thanks
balaaan

[Rocco Augusto]

Originally Posted by balaaan

First of all, thanks a lot for this great post.
I'm trying to use VDM to resize my mpeg files but can't find the Audio tab on the VDM menu. I tried downloading & installing audio codecs with no luck..

Can someone help in explaining how to add audio codecs &/or show the Audio tab?

Thanks
balaaan

i forgot to mention it in my guide, for VDM on the audio side you have to right click the audio stream listed and there will be the same options that you would have for the regular VD. once i get home ill write out a more detailed way to do so! SORRY!

-opti-

[Rebecca]

Question for the video Gurus:

I don't understand what's the difference between Xvid and DivX, besides Xvid being free source.

As far as i understand both are based on the same code from project Majo.

Is there any difference in quality or is one better than the other for smartphone use?

Thanks

[Rocco Augusto]

Originally Posted by Rebecca

Question for the video Gurus:

I don't understand what's the difference between Xvid and DivX, besides Xvid being free source.

As far as i understand both are based on the same code from project Majo.

Is there any difference in quality or is one better than the other for smartphone use?

Thanks

main difference is xvid is just divx spelled backwards

in all seriousness though you hit the nail on the head stating the differences. divx is a closed source codec while xvid is open source, free for anyone to use. i personally prefer xvid for encoding to smartphone because i get better quality picture and faster encode speeds using the same settings for divx5 and divx6.

to be honest i really excitied waiting for divx6 to come out because of all the hype behind it and the promise for better quality files at smaller file sizes. after playing around with it though my honest opinion was that they dropped the ball and took a step down from divx5. using the same settings i would have used for a divx5 video i got a divx 6 video with tons of artifacts.

until something better comes along im gonna stick with xvid. its small, light weight, produces great quality video. right now its the best codec in my opinion but when it comes to codecs everythings relative, its all a matter of opinion, in the eye of the beholder

-opti-

[peters]

Hi everybody!

I read verry interesting discuss about video converting a few days ago. I love you my SMARTPHONE because this is freedom, really freedom!
I create many, many movies and think than my information could be help to many people.
At first, you have to put a basic question. What is better? SlideShow or Really fluently moving pictures. My choise is simply becauce I allways prefer just QUALITY!
What you need?

GuardianKnot (full)
BeSweet
OggMux
XviD codec
BetaPlayer (in Smartphone)

...and... a little bit of time

Why NOT DivX? Because isnt free and mainly DivX with bitrate under 200kbps produce very, very, very ugly pictures!!! XviD is the bright winner in this possition.
This is my recipe for you smile:

Run GuardianKnot.
0; Personalize your GuardianKnot
1; Decrypt DVD
2; Prepare the VOBs (all basic instructions are in the boxes)
3; After project saving you have to switch direct to Resolution section and click on the OPEN button. Select your e.g. movie.d2v. Then check Input resolution, IPAR (The most of DVDs are anamorphic) and switch Disable in CROP section and click on AutoCrop button. After few seconds GK crop all black borders. You have to change output resolution down to Width: 220 and Height: 160 ( W/H modul=2). I like wide screen but SmartPhohe display has size too little and 2,35:1 is useless. I use a little trick. Change the value of cropping (only vertical size)(click on arrows) in the Crop section. You have to watch information in AspectRatio box. Optimal is value between 1.44 to 1.33 (crop L/R is about 90). What more information do you need for this? Just Total movie lenght and movie preview. You have to drag the slider in the preview window and check the movie composition (how far are the actors heads etc.). You can set the start of credits and if is all correct and usable and Save and encode. Check the First Pass in XviD, Second Pass (must be selected B-frames!!!) (optimal bitrate for full screen is 180kbps) and thats all for VIDEO. Whole process take the time for about 1-2 hours. You must create sound, yet. Ideal tool is BeSweet. Open ac3 file, select downsampling to 44.1kHz. Output format is OGG with 56kbps. It takes for about 30min. Now you have to mux video+audio. OggMux is very simple tool but good. Muxing takes a few seconds.
Thats all.
I know, exists a many form how to create good movie for SmartPhone, but this is very simple, very quick and without compromises. All parametres are optimal and balanced. Benchmark on Betaplayer has sufficient reserve (175%) and movie experience is really charming. I tell you flat than this movies are the right reason why my friends are sad. Sad because their mobile phone looks like a toy for children.

Sorry, my english is horrible because I started to learh this wonderful language just a few months ago.

Very, very thanks for your time whitch you spended with my lines...

Peter

Note: You can change a many parametres, but at first you MUST to try your configuration because the reachest is our time.

[Rebecca]

Does anyone else besides me is using OGG audio on their encoded films?