Encoding Video For Mobile Devices?

MadGeek007 writes "I am developing an app for Android that will use many short (averaging 10-20 minutes) instructional videos. Unfortunately, I know next to nothing about encoding video. I'd like to use a codec that is supported by Android and iOS out-of-the-box. I need the videos to look decent on large mobile displays (IPhone 4, HTC EVO, etc.), and still be able to stream well on a good 3G connection. The sound quality is also important. With so many different display resolutions on mobile devices, do I need to encode multiple copies of the same video? Or can I get away with a one-size-fits-all video? Can anyone recommend encoding software, codecs, resolutions, and bitrates that would work best for this application?"

iOS only support H.264

[zbobet2012]

If you wish to hit iOS H.264 is your only option. Apple has very strict requirements on applications that stream over 3g, including a 60k/s variant. (If you don't mean actual streaming but just progressive download thats different). You can look those up on the Apple developer forums.

Re:Handbrake

[stms]

Not If you use 0.9.3 it supports xvid as well. At any rate Gordian Knot is a bit better than handbrake though slightly more complicated to use. http://sourceforge.net/projects/gordianknot/ [sourceforge.net]

Re:Handbrake

[ThePengwin]

That is why AutoGK was made (http://www.autogk.me.uk/) However, going through the more complicated process gives you more options.

Re:Ignore the fanboy rhetoric

[gollito]

I would say do this too. Can't speak for iOS but on Android a youtube link fires up the youtube app and on my EVO it goes full screen. I think it is similar on the iphone too.

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[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:Handbrake

[mykro76]

Fuck MP4, it can't even handle subtitles. Renders most media centres including Apple TV almost useless. The pirate groups were right to choose MKV, but then they don't even bother to rip the subs. wtf?

Re:Handbrake

[Anonymous Coward]

Here's a crazy idea, provide a picture link to your videos that you upload to YouTube.com instead of trying to encode them in? Feel free to bash the idea, but I find it a simplistic way to solve the situation without doing a lot of work. Most phones come with a Youtube app preinstalled.