Pool video file formats research
last updated: 06.10.09
Video Formats for Pool
Latest testing shows that these formats work well (29/05/09)
wmv, mp4 and mov
Format: wmv Video codec: wmv9 audio codec: wmv9.2
Format: mp4 Video codec: MPEG4 audio codec: MPEG4
Format: mov Video codec: h264 audio codec: mp4
The audio sample rate must be 44.1 KHz
Introduction: Containers and Codecs
Video files have quite a few variables and choosing the right ones can be difficult. Firstly there is the file type or container e.g. mov, avi and wmv.
Then there are the two codecs or compression types for both audio and video e.g. mp3, acc, XviD, mp4
Add to that there are choices to be made of frame rates, screen size, bitrates etc. so it can get pretty complicated.
If you get one of the settings wrong the final video may play okay on your computer but not another one, or Pool might not be able to play a preview of it. It relies on both machines having the same codecs installed.
We’ll talk a bit more about those things a later, but for now if you are contributing a video to Pool these are some basic settings we recommend.
Recommendations based on Pool tests
Avoid h264 and mpg1 will work for sure everytime.
We are researching this issue and hope to support more codec combinations soon when we have full control of our server.
File type: mov or QuickTime
Video Codec: H.263
Audio Codec: QDesign Music2
File type: avi
Video Codec: XviD mp4
Audio Codec: mp3
File type: wmv
Video Codec: WMV 9
Audio Codec: WMA 9.2
Sources:
Engagemedia for Windows http://www.engagemedia.org/help/how-to-compress-video
Engagemedia for Mac http://www.engagemedia.org/help/tutorial-encoding-on-a-mac
ABC Gruen Transfer d.i.y. video guidehttp://www.abc.net.au/tv/gruentransfer/doityourself.htm
Advice from - ABC Online
Our own research on contributed files
You Tube Yahoo and Vimeo help pages
Details:
Engagemedia
Engagemedia.org has this encoding advice page
http://www.engagemedia.org/help/how-to-compress-video
"Data Rate 1400 Kbits/second etc. These settings should result in a file that is about 11 megabytes per minute in size, or around 110 megabytes for a 10 minute video."
ABC Gruen Transfer Video Formats
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/gruentransfer/doityourself.htm
DOWNLOAD VIDEO FORMAT - The majority of the video files that you are downloading will be 1024 x 576 QuickTime Movies with an H264 codec.
UPLOAD FORMAT - All submissions will be considered for inclusion on this site and potentially on ABC TV. Ideally you would edit and resend your ad in the format above with your audio compressed to no lower than 128 kbps (stereo). We will also accept other formats such as .dv, avi or mpeg4, but make no guarantee that these will be able to be converted and shown. Be aware that you may have difficulty uploading large files. If you are struggling to get your files size down to a manageable size (using above pixel dimensions) try 512 x 288 (no lower).
Mark King of ABC TV online said:
"Aspect: 400 x 224 pixels
Bit rate: 360kbs - 400kbs
Format: wmp or mp4 (he preferred mp4 due to it universal accessibility)"
Pool video format research
In an effort to generate meaningful data to help formulate recommendations for video file formats for Pool contributors a number of videos that had been uploaded were examined for flash playback compatibility, container and codec formats. We used the program Movavi Video Suite to look inside videos to see containers and codecs used.
These seven Pool videos transcoded okay i.e. ARE supported
Type
Video Codec
Audio Codec
Quick Time Movie
Sorenson Video 3
16Bit Big Endian
WMV File
msmpeg4
mp3
QuickTime Movie
H.264
16Bit Little Endian
WMV File
WMV 9
WMA 9.2
AVI File
XviD MPEG-4
Layer3
AVI File
DV
Uncompressed
Quick Time Movie
H.263
QDesign Music2
These seven Pool videos did not transcode okay i.e. may not be supported.
Note that the problem might have been with the file itself and so this is not a conclusive indication that these combinations will fail. This still needs more testing.
Type
Video Codec
Audio Codec
Quick Time Movie
H.264
MPEG-4 Audio
MPEG-4 File Format
MPEG-4 Video
AAC
3GPP Movie
H.263
AMR
MPEG-4 File Format
MPEG-4 Video
AAC
Quick Time Movie
MPEG-4 Video
MPEG-4 Audio
Quick Time Movie
H.264
MPEG-4 Audio
Quick Time Movie
MPEG-4 Video
MPEG-4 Audio
Please note these videos were uploadable and can be downloaded, just not auditioned by playing within the flash previewer
Conclusions
We need more support of QuickTime and mobile media types as the community is giving us various combinations that we don’t support.
We can however see some combos of codecs that will work for QuickTime files in the top list.
Actions
Show this list to some other people to get more opinions.
See if we can develop better flash transcoder support of mp4 and H.264 for mov containers.
You Tube video format info from their help pages
Summary
We recommend the MPEG4 (Divx, Xvid, SQV3 rather than h.264) format at 320x240 resolution with MP3 audio
Details
Editing and Exporting Videos: File formats
YouTube accepts a wide range of video file formats such as .WMV, .AVI, .MOV and .MPG transferred from most digital cameras, camcorders and mobile phones. If you don't think that your current video file format is recognised by YouTube, you may get the best results by converting your file to MPEG4 video with MP3 audio.
Our recommended file format is MPEG4 (Divx, Xvid, or SQV3 rather than h.264) at 320x240 resolution with MP3 audio (64k mono).
"Invalid file format error" means that your video is in a format that our system doesn't accept. We accept most file formats, including wmv, mov, .mpg or .avi. If your video meets these minimum requirements and still won't upload, it may be due to a problem with the video compression you are using. We recommend the MPEG4 (Divx, Xvid, SQV3) format at 320x240 resolution with MP3 audio. Resizing your video to these specifications before uploading will help your clips look better on YouTube.
Editing and Exporting Videos: Editing my video
Most computers come with some sort of video editing application already installed, such as Apple iMovie or Microsoft Movie Maker. Using these programs, you can easily edit your videos, add soundtracks, change the file type, compress the file size, etc.
There are also more advanced editing programs available for purchase or download online. We encourage you to look around and find the editing software that's right for you.
Yahoo video format info from their help pages
Yahoo!7 Video supports the following file types: Windows Media, ASF, QuickTime, MPEG-1, and MPEG-2.
Your video needs to in WMV, ASF, QT, MOD, MOV, MPG, 3GP, 3GP2 or AVI format, and have audio.
Vimeo video format info from their help pages
Summary
No container specified.
Codec video H.264 audio AAC.
640x480 (for regular video) or 1280x720 (for high definition).
1800 Kbits/sec (for regular video) or 5000 Kbits/sec (for high definition).
Vimeo has some video tutorials of note
One is a round up of how to render out HD files for various video editors
http://vimeo.com/forums/topic:3671
Text from Vimeo Help files
Okay, we’re going to be honest with you: there’s no way we can make exporting/compression guides for every kind of video software on the market. It’s just overwhelming! However, we do want to give you some guidelines for compressing your videos for Vimeo, so look over these tips, find the corresponding settings in your software, and you should be able to make it work for you.
Note: Sometimes these settings are in ‘Advanced’ or ‘Options’ when exporting.
Codec
Choose H.264 for the video codec. Choose AAC for the audio codec.
Frame rate
This is usually 30, in Europe it's usually 25. If there is an option that says “current” just go with that. Please note that Vimeo converts all HD videos up to 24 frames per second for optimum playback performance.
Keyframes
Every 30 frames. This is basically how often the compressor references your uncompressed video.
Data rate
1800 Kbits/sec (for regular video) or 5000 Kbits/sec (for high definition). Making this number higher will increase both quality and size.
Size
640x480 (for regular video) or 1280x720 (for high definition). Please note, 1440x1080 videos will not be widescreen on Vimeo, you must compress them as 1280x720.
Deinterlace
Yes. If you do not deinterlace, you will often get weird-looking horizontal lines in your video.
Sound sample rate
44.100 kHz
Audio quality
You want audio with a bit rate of 128 Kbps. You can set your audio to really good quality without increasing file size too much.
