movie prob

[Guest panzer]

i'm trying to put short movies on my E200 but when i put them on, it's very jerky, is there sommet i can do to stop it???

[Guest gvr]

You could either encode the movie at a lower quality or get a 'free-up memory' app to allow the maximum of resources on your phone when trying to play the movie

[Guest siu99spj]

i'm trying to put short movies on my E200 but when i put them on, it's very jerky, is there sommet i can do to stop it???

Lots (Some are mentioned above). Ideally though, it would be good if you could tell us what you encoded the movie in, what you encoded the movie with, what the settings were, and what you're trying to play the movie in.

From that, I can try to estimate where you can best improve your movie.

You might also want to read my guide in the FAQ. It needs some pictures and an update, but its pretty comprehensive.

[Guest panzer]

i ent encoded it or anything, i just put it on my phone, i'm guessin i've got to reduce the quality or sommet, the file is in .wmv

[Guest siu99spj]

Ooohhh, WMV. Not the best way to start but its not too terrible. And yes, you definitely will need to re-encode it to watch on your phone.

Encoding WMV's is a pain in the proverbial, but I recommend you try WinMPG Convert (You can find a link in the 'Off Topic' forum). It should be able to convert your video into an AVI.

With the AVI, you can use VirtualDub and the giude I've written in the FAQ. Pretty easy (Even without the pictures) to make a DivX movie which can then be watched in BetaPlayer (NOT PocketMVP as I recommended in the guide).

Hopefully though I'll get the new guide sorted (Eventually) and we can all go back to enjoying DivX movies on our phones.

And if you have any questions, just come back here or PM me.

[Guest Samsonite]

siu99spj - I've tried to download the trial version of WinMPG to see how i get on with it and after installing on the ol' PC ( W98SE i'm afraid), it will always thro up an illegal error dialog box. It does this at the point of convert. I have selected the file i want to convert and destination and all that but PING! An illegal error has occurred - if this persists, contact vendor!! dont wanna pay for a copy if it does that!!

Is there any other converter (free if poss) that you would recommend?

thanks.....

[Guest siu99spj]

siu99spj -   I've tried to download the trial version of WinMPG to see how i get on with it and after installing on the ol' PC ( W98SE i'm afraid), it will always thro up an illegal error dialog box.   It does this at the point of convert.  I have selected the file i want to convert and destination and all that but PING!  An illegal error has occurred - if this persists, contact vendor!!    dont wanna pay for a copy if it does that!!

Is there any other converter (free if poss) that you would recommend?    

thanks.....

Mmm, now its going to be interesting. I have two possible suggestions.

First is that you download (Or I E-Mail you) the old (1.3c) version of VirtualDub. This 'old' version can handle early WMV's and allow you to convert them into whatever you want. Make sure you don't overwrite your 'new' version of VirtualDub as that will handle making the clip SPV compatible.

Second. You E-Mail me the video and I see what I can do to it. Obviously not ideal if you don't have broadband (Movies tend to be a bit too big to E-Mail), but certainly the quicker option. Whats more, I can send you back an encoded Smartphone movie, ready to watch on your phone.

But this is only really a valid option if your movie is pretty small (Lets say less than 10MB if poss) to begin with. If not, you'll have to play with the first option, unless you have some webspace or an FTP server. Then you could host it on that for me to pick up. Quicker than E-Mail too, which is a bonus for me!

E-Mail/PM me if you need the early version (1.3c) of VirtualDub.

[Guest Dr Who]

siu99spj, the latest version of windows media encoder only comes with options for video and audio using media player 9 format (actually you can do uncompressed avi(!) and an mpeg4 format). Do you know how I install the codecs for encoder 8 or lower OR do you have a guide that works for the C500? I seem to be able to code at quite high resolutions and it runs fine in full screen mode. Until the video freezes and the audio continues. Happens at all codings from very high to very low. Very annoying. I don't want to install any 3rdparty players (I know, I'm weird and what do I expect, etc, etc) and would assume since it CAN play the files well that it should work.

[Guest James]

just a note to say you can use a program called 'Stoik Video Converter' to conver from WMV to AVI......... i use it and works for me!

[Guest siu99spj]

siu99spj, the latest version of windows media encoder only comes with options for video and audio using media player 9 format (actually you can do uncompressed avi(!) and an mpeg4 format). Do you know how I install the codecs for encoder 8 or lower OR do you have a guide that works for the C500?

I know it does. Its annoying because MS tend to throw a wobbly if you try to install an older encoder with or over a new one. I trashed many a (virtual) system trying. In simple terms, it can't be done (Yes, I know it actually can, but most people won't like screwing around with their system).

However, as the C500 runs the 2003 OS, its compatible with WMP9 codecs and plays the files (As you can tell being able to watch stuff). However, without a C500 (or any other modern phone, I'm still reliant on an SPV Classic) its very difficult for me to know any settings that work well. It also doesn't help that I have a dislike the for the Windows codecs anyway (Far too long a story for this forum). The only thing I can suggest is to try to encode at WMP8 setting (As Chris details in the first half of my guide) and go from there. Admittedly you're not using WMP8, but they should work in WMP9 fine, if anything play extra smoothly.

I seem to be able to code at quite high resolutions and it runs fine in full screen mode. Until the video freezes and the audio continues. Happens at all codings from very high to very low. Very annoying. I don't want to install any 3rdparty players (I know, I'm weird and what do I expect, etc, etc) and would assume since it CAN play the files well that it should work.

High resolutions will do nothing to benefit your movie. Just make your phone work harder having to resize everything. Video freezing can be one of MANY symptoms: Bad transfer, bad encode, bad decode, missing frame sequence tag (WMP9 BETA bug), phone 'giving up' (Dropping the video to keep the audio going) or maybe even the screensaver kicking in. There are many more, but I could be here until Xmas listing them all. Try re-encoding the file, at a lowish bit-rate, with relatively low sound and putting back on your phone. That may work better.

Personally though, I would strongly URGE you to install a different player. I know you don't want to for whatever reason, but the other players do behave a LOT better. They also tend to give the user far more options, plus BetaPlayer (A personal favourite) will play DivX and/or XviD files. They're so much better, I can watch a 25fps film on my Classic SPV. With PocketMVP you had to decimate by 3!

And being that everything you need to do it with is free anyway (VirtualDub, DivX/XviD, Lame MP3 codec, Betaplayer) its not as if you could lose anything trying.

Plus, I could probably help you more :)

[Guest siu99spj]

just a note to say you can use a program called 'Stoik Video Converter' to conver from WMV to AVI......... i use it and works for me!

Thanks j-lo, I give that a look-see. I tended to prefer WinMPG Converter as it handled almost anything, including SWF.

But if it don't work for 98 users, its nice to know of a backup.

[Guest Dr Who]

Cheers siu99spj!

Actually my terminology was poor, by resolution I meant bitrate! I got an episode of the Simpsons to run all the way yesterday using the settings laid out in the guide in articles. However I also disabled the backlight timeout on my C500, which may have been another problem. In fact I also made sure I quit all open apps first. I could even pause and restart the video with no probs, which was a real No No before. I will try coding at higher sample rates later today and giving that a go.

[Guest Samsonite]

siu99spj thanks for your help. i'm on holiday surfing (the proper one!) in Croyde for the week so will try your suggestions when i get home... i'll let you know how i get on... Posted from my SmartPhone!

[Guest Samsonite]

siu99spj thanks for your help. i'm on holiday surfing (the proper one!) in Croyde for the week so will try your suggestions when i get home... i'll let you know how i get on... Posted from my SmartPhone!

[Guest panzer]

stupid question to u but mind bogaling to me, where do i put .avi file on my phone, cause with other formats if i just stick em in sound there on my play list, with .avi i get nothing

[Guest Dr Who]

I love Croyde Samsonite! Are you at Ruda??? Hows the surf?

So siu99spj, I played out a .wmv coded using the latest windows media encoder set at the PocketPC preset using WMP on the phone last night. It was PAL coded (25fps) with the CBR video and audio settings and at 220x160 (mistake!). I quit all apps prior to opening media player and turned my backlight timeout to never. And.........it ran full screen with no problems at all. I could pause and resume, at least during the end credits - I didn't dare try before this 'cos with no fast forward (Why???) I didn't want to kill and have to start from the top again. The file size was 40 meg for between 15 and 20 minutes (1 Simpsons episode), which would mean I could fit a whole movie on my 256 card. I might try and optimise the file size today if I get the chance. Still, it looks encouraging!

[Guest siu99spj]

stupid question to u but mind bogaling to me, where do i put .avi file on my phone, cause with other formats if i just stick em in sound there on my play list, with .avi i get nothing

AVI's will only play in PocketMVP or Betaplayer. AFAIK Media Player (On the phone) will not see AVI's at all, wherever you put them.

As it is, I tend to put movies into the root of my SD card, but there doesn't seem to be any restriction with either of the players mentioned to putting AVI's anywhere.

Just remember you might need to application unlock your phone to use these players as they're not certified.

Dr Who: Great to see that you're doing so well! when you get the settings fine tuned to perfection, could you pass them onto me? That way I can incorporate them into my guide (With the proper thanks of course!). And assuming I ever get round to finishing my guide off :oops:

[Guest Dr Who]

siu99spj, just trying to setup a new profile for media encoding. Have you a feel for what target bit rate I should aim for or the key frame interval. I guess I am asking if you know at what bitrates thing deteriorate to unacceptable levels (I have had one running at 266Kbps with 20fps and one at 70Kbps with 8fps) and frankly I have no idea what key frame interval means! I vaguely remember you setting it to 2 in your guide?

[Guest Samsonite]

dr who me, the wife and 15 month old son are in the apartments right on the beachfront! surf's about right for me... about 3 or 4 feet and clean this afternoon... nice till i got a fin jammed into me! leave you kids to talk movies now... it's the next thing i want to try on the phone... get a whole feature on a 256 meg card. might need more horsepower on the pc i think tho... Posted from my SmartPhone!

[Guest siu99spj]

siu99spj, just trying to setup a new profile for media encoding. Have you a feel for what target bit rate I should aim for or the key frame interval. I guess I am asking if you know at what bitrates thing deteriorate to unacceptable levels (I have had one running at 266Kbps with 20fps and one at 70Kbps with 8fps) and frankly I have no idea what key frame interval means! I vaguely remember you setting it to 2 in your guide?

Target bit rate and frame rates all depend on the phone and the player. But this will be affected by what you are watching too. Really it needs to be fine tuned, but the below give a good 'first shot' as it were.

A Classic SPV (Or E100), running PocketMVP, will probably max out at about 8fps (Decimate by 3) and 150kbps.

Using BetaPlayer I can get 15fps (NTSC (American) source decimated by 2) at 250kbps with no problems.

Going onto newer phones, I believe the MPx200 and C500 will have no problems with a full frame rate. Also, anything higher than about 250 with the bit rate will be a waste of time. the codec will just waster the extra bits. Obviously not having these phones I can't say for certain.

Sound-wise, you don't need to got too high, 48kbps 22500HZ Stereo MP3 should do just fine.

Hopefully, once I can get the clips sorted and a rash of volunteers (More info will be posted, hopefully, this weekend) I can actually find out what works for what phones. With that, Rev 2 of the guide can be put together.

[Guest Dr Who]

I have set up 3 different coding profiles for my Smartphone. All 3 are set to 25fps as a target, PAL encoded (not that it matters, I guess!), with sound at 32kbps, 44KHz, Mono (I may adjust this according to your suggestion above) and at bit rates of 260, 180 and 120 Kbps. This yields .wmv's of 2Meg/min, 1.3 Meg/min and 1 Meg/min respectively. The 260Kbps looks very nice, although I am only coding Simpsons episodes which have previously been through an MPG mangle (to make VCD's for my DVD player). The 180 looks acceptable and the 120 starts missing frames when there is a lot of motion in the image. Do you think I should drop the frame rate? When you choose PAL encoding in Windows Media Encoder it seems to default to 12.5 frames a second, but surely PAL is 25fps (50 HZ interlaced??). I could post the .pbx WME plugins I have been using if anyone wants them. The EASIEST way to use WME is just select the Pocket PC option it gives you when you convert a file and change the resolution to 220x176 before coding, which equates to my 260Kbps coding. It would seem that it is critical to turn the backlight power setting to 'Never' otherwise the video freezes. Once I have got this locked down I can PM any useful stuff to you. I am actually pretty impressed by the playback using the bundled WMP, and I get my wish of not needing any external software. Oh Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy.

[Guest Dr Who]

Whoops!

[Guest Dr Who]

Samsonite, clean surf - Yum. Barely matters to me though, being a third rate bodyboarder who can't get out past the back of the sets!

[Guest Samsonite]

dr who - i'm in the wet more than on and only get to play once or twice a year!!

i've been reading the posts between you guys here and i have a newbie question i'm afraid..

How do actually capture the movie from a dvd? I dont have a proper PC by any real measure.. W98SE on PII 400mhz wid a coupla hundred meg of ram.. the car equivalent would be an Allegro. in brown. It will play DVDs thru a player called Mpact Mediaware but not Media Player or any of the utilities i have. i have tried VirtualDub etc but nthing plays the movie so that i can get to it!

Is my machine too puny to process a whole DVD onto a 256Meg card d'ya think?

[Guest siu99spj]

I have set up 3 different coding profiles for my Smartphone. All 3 are set to 25fps as a target, PAL encoded (not that it matters, I guess!),

Well, just how technical do you want to be. In terms of computers, no PAL and NTSC make no difference. In terms of TVs and videos, don't get me started, but suffice to say, PAL is 25fps, NTSC is 23.96 OR 29.97 :roll:

with sound at 32kbps, 44KHz, Mono (I may adjust this according to your suggestion above) and at bit rates of 260, 180 and 120 Kbps.

The 'stereo' option only makes a difference when you have headphones. Otherwise, there's no point.

This yields .wmv's of 2Meg/min, 1.3 Meg/min and 1 Meg/min respectively. The 260Kbps looks very nice, although I am only coding Simpsons episodes which have previously been through an MPG mangle (to make VCD's for my DVD player). The 180 looks acceptable and the 120 starts missing frames when there is a lot of motion in the image. Do you think I should drop the frame rate?

Not if the 260K is acceptable. DivX needs quite a bit less bitrate than WMV's at low resolutions, but requires more 'power' to decode them. Admittedly you're going to struggle to fit a full movie onto an SD, but at least you can get several Simpsons episodes going. What type of phone do you have though? Usually its only C500's or MPX200's that can get up to 25fps.

When you choose PAL encoding in Windows Media Encoder it seems to default to 12.5 frames a second, but surely PAL is 25fps (50 HZ interlaced??).

You're correct, WMV has lots of 'undocumented features' such as that. One reason I advocate VirtualDub, you can see exactly what you've done, which is useful if you make a big mistake!

I could post the .pbx WME http://smartphone.modaco.com/viewtopic.php?t=714>plugins I have been using if anyone wants them. The EASIEST way to use WME is just select the Pocket PC option it gives you when you convert a file and change the resolution to 220x176 before coding, which equates to my 260Kbps coding. It would seem that it is critical to turn the backlight power setting to 'Never' otherwise the video freezes. Once I have got this locked down I can PM any useful stuff to you. I am actually pretty impressed by the playback using the bundled WMP, and I get my wish of not needing any external software. Oh Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy.

Glad your happy. I'm REALLY going to have to start this thing off of finding the new bit-rates.

[siu99spj wanders off to Main to start pestering people...]