Encode Diggnation in Higher-Res

[andrewnorris]

Currently Revision3 records all its shows in a small-quicktime feed (aka iPod compatible) in 320x240 .mov, little known that there is a 640x480 version called large-quicktime feed also in .mov.

What I propose is to use one feed with the shows encoded in 640x480 (VGA) encoded as 1.5 Mbit/s MPEG-4 video (H.264) with an approximately 128 kbit/s AAC audio track.

This will play on the video iPod as well as the iPhone and look great on the desktop. This is the encoding Apple uses for all its Movies and TV Shows so it should look good on the Apple TV too.

Here's an ffmpeg article on it: http://www.ffmpegx.com/ipodh264hires.html

[casework]

I might be misunderstanding what you're saying, but you realize that Diggnation(and all Rev3 shows) have multiple versions of the same show. Diggnation can be downloaded in small mov, large mov, xvid, h.264, and others.

[darknessgp]

Casework, which is sad because diggnation spoiled me on video format choices. I was kind of mad to find other shows only being offered in 1 or maybe 2 formats...


in anycase, I think he is saying to switch the video feed that itunes gets to the larger quicktime format... which to me doesn't really matter since everyone that really wants the show can visit revision3.com and pick it up before the feed gets it.

[masherscf]

*chants*

Seven-Twenty-Pee-Seven-Twenty-Pee-Seven-Twenty-Pee!

[aboris26]

I agree that you can just go to revision3.com and download any version that you want, but those of us who use feeds (who are the silent majority) for Revision3 content want better quality. And for the record, there are no H.264 files in the list of formats. We currently have to use the VERY small 'Quicktime Small' file for it work with the iPod. What I recommend is to usethe H.264 640x480 .mp4 files as the only iTunes format, as it a) Plays on the iPod/Apple TV/iPhone, b). Is same resolution as the 'Quicktime Large' files, c). consoldates Revision3 feeds so that they apear higher on the listings.

Revision3 guys, please look at iSquint on the Mac (or Visual Hub its bigger brother) for encoding, use the iPod conversion using 'Optimize for TV' and H.264 encoding. I've converted some samples and they look amazing.

[donza]

Great idea. Current version of iTunes feed looks crappy on my Macbook. I watch diggnation about 50/50 on my notebook and iPod so it would be great if we had one file which would look great on both devices.

[nightstrm]

A widescreen 720p AppleTV-compatible video would be an excellent addition! That, and a members-only RSS feed so you don't have to visit the site to get the new episodes early.

[masherscf]

I think they should offer 720P H.264 and 720P WMV files for *gold* level subscribers like $10/month for ALL shows.

I'm not sure how they would work it out. I'm sure they would have to use some sort of DRM which would limit playback options. It might not be feasible.

[owine]

Or use HTTP-Auth. You would access the feed with http://owine:password@revision3.com/feed/diggnation/members or something like that.

[vegan]

I, too, would like to see the itunes feed be higher-quality. I want to use itunes for all my video podcasts, and then stream them to my modded original Xbox to play on my TV. Sure, I could download them manually, but automatically while I sleep would be so much better and I'd rather not install additional RSS software.