Video Files, iTunes and iPhone

[MotionMan]

After my recent switch from all PC to all Mac, I set forth to gather all my video files and organize them as best I can.

The main reason I rip DVDs is to be able to watch them on my laptop while traveling and to have one or two movies on my iPhone for my kids to watch in a pinch.

After gathering all my video files I have determined that I have three types of files:

.avi
.mp4
.m4v

I have some movies in all three formats (probably from when I was experimenting with ripping over the years).

So, my question's are thus:

1. What is the best format for watching on my Macs?
2. What is the best/required format for watching on my iPhone?

(I also have some of the movies already "in" iTunes, but I do not know what format they are or where those files reside (Bonus Question: Can those be exported?))

Sorry if these seem like stupid questions. I will be happy to provide any further information you may need to answer the questions.

In the end, I want to be able to eliminate any unneeded duplicates and also be able to plan for future ripping.

Thanks a ton.

MotionMan

 

[TheStu]

Install Perian, a codec pack, that will allow Quicktime to play back almost all file types (it still will have trouble with MKV and some others, but you can also install VLC which will cover whatever Perian misses).

1: Due to perian, all are the best format
2: Get Handbrake, put the preset to iPhone/iPod Touch and convert them that way. It only takes about an hour per file on my macbook, 30 minutes or less on my hack.

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: TheStu
Install Perian, a codec pack, that will allow Quicktime to play back almost all file types (it still will have trouble with MKV and some others, but you can also install VLC which will cover whatever Perian misses).

1: Due to perian, all are the best format
2: Get Handbrake, put the preset to iPhone/iPod Touch and convert them that way. It only takes about an hour per file on my macbook, 30 minutes or less on my hack.

I read the "Guide for Users New to the Mac" thread, so I have Perian

What is the hierarchy of the three formats? I.e. if I have the same movie in 2 or 3 formats, which ones should I ditch?

MotionMan

 

[TheStu]

Keep mp4, ditch AVI if and when you can. MP4 is a better container all around and generally mp4s are encoded better than AVIs.

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: TheStu
Keep mp4, ditch AVI if and when you can. MP4 is a better container all around and generally mp4s are encoded better than AVIs.

Do you know if HandBrake will convert .mp4's to an iPhone-friendly format?

MotionMan

 

[TheStu]

Handbrake will convert most anything.

 

[Kmax82]

Originally posted by: MotionMan

Originally posted by: TheStu
Keep mp4, ditch AVI if and when you can. MP4 is a better container all around and generally mp4s are encoded better than AVIs.

Do you know if HandBrake will convert .mp4's to an iPhone-friendly format?

MotionMan

Yea.. Handbrake does a great job of converting to an iPhone friendly format, which is .m4v, or at least that's what it defaults to and it works wonderfully.

Just choose the file you want to convert from the Sources menu and then select the iPhone/iPod Touch option in the Presets on the right and then "Go". You shouldn't have any issues. I've converted countless TV Shows and movies for my iPhone and it hasn't given me a hiccup.