.avi to .mp4

[PaulM1985]

Hi

I've bought a Sony Walkman which is supposed to support .mp4 files. I have tried to convert some .avi films to .mp4 using Avidemux. It says that they are converted, but I am not able to play them on my computer and they won't play on my walkman.

Computer opens the file and shows the frames when you drag the bar across the bottom, but doesn't play the film. Walkman says file is not supported/playable.

Has anyone got any ideas what I may be doing wrong when converting and any thoughts on how to fix this.

Thanks in advance

Paul

[eye208]

Make sure you are using suitable codecs in Avidemux. MP4 is a container for MPEG formats; it is mostly used for H.264 video and AAC audio. This will at least make the files playable on your computer. The walkman may impose additional restrictions in terms of bitrate, usage of B-frames etc.

[PaulM1985]

Hi eye208

I'm new to all this sort of stuff, so sorry if I am making really daft mistakes. Ok, I was originally just using Copy for each of the audio and video, so that I guess would explain some of the things you mentioned in the post. Would changing the audio to AAC (FAAC) sort the audio out? For video, I think my options would be MPEG-4 (ASP) (Xvid4), MPEG-4 (ASP) (lavc) or MPEG-4 (AVC) (x264). Is this right? Which one of these would/should I choose?

Thanks for helping.

Paul

[lovinglinux]

Hi eye208

I'm new to all this sort of stuff, so sorry if I am making really daft mistakes. Ok, I was originally just using Copy for each of the audio and video, so that I guess would explain some of the things you mentioned in the post. Would changing the audio to AAC (FAAC) sort the audio out? For video, I think my options would be MPEG-4 (ASP) (Xvid4), MPEG-4 (ASP) (lavc) or MPEG-4 (AVC) (x264). Is this right? Which one of these would/should I choose?

Thanks for helping.

Paul

If you simply copy audio and video it won't re-encode with the required codec. I guess the right option is x264, which will encode in h.264 compatible format.

You could also try WinFF. It is simpler than Avidemux for this kind of conversions. For instance, if you select mp4 as output it will only allow you to choose between h.264 (16:9) or h.264 (4:3).

[xc3RnbFO8P]

In Avidemux try:
Auto > PSP

[PaulM1985]

Hello again

I have tried using the different codecs for video and audio in Avidemux and it still didnt play...

I have downloaded and installed WinFF, but when I click on to convert, the terminal window comes up and produces the following error.

Unknown codec 'aac'
Press Enter to Continue

then closes.

Does anyone know what I need to do to install the aac codec?

Thanks
Paul

[swisscow]

For the video, to convert to mp4 format I followed these instructions:

http://www.ubuntu-unleashed.com/2007/08/howto-convert-videos-to-ipod-smartphone.html

It works a treat.

As for installing the aac codec, try installing faac via Synaptic - I think (not sure) that will give you aac support

[lovinglinux]

Hello again

I have tried using the different codecs for video and audio in Avidemux and it still didnt play...

I have downloaded and installed WinFF, but when I click on to convert, the terminal window comes up and produces the following error.

Unknown codec 'aac'
Press Enter to Continue

then closes.

Does anyone know what I need to do to install the aac codec?

Thanks
Paul

Go to Add/Remove Manager and look for "GStreamer plugins for aac, xvid, mpeg2, faad". You probably need to enable Multiverse, Universe and Medibuntu repositories in the software sources list (don't recall which has GStreamer).

Best thing to do is follow this tutorial.