HOW-TO: Play "movies" on an iPod Photo
posted November 9th 2004 1:40PM
We picked up an iPod Photo the other day, and most observers have asked us "Can that thing play movies?" The short answer is no, only music and photos-but the longer answer is "sorta, but not really anything worth calling a movie". In this week's how-to we'll show you how to "play" a movie on an iPod Photo by exporting frames of a movie, importing them to the iPod and playing them manually by click-wheeling through thousands of images, or even viewing 3d views of objects. Pointless? Yes. Will a lot of people try this and put movie trailers and porn on their iPod Photo? You betcha, and as always, we're here to help.
Getting startedAll you'll need for this is QuickTime Pro, iTunes, and an
iPod photo— the same instructions work on both the Mac
and PC side. For our examples we're going to show both the PC and the Mac steps.
Getting a movie
Just about any QuickTime movie will do, for our example we're going to use the Star Wars trailer for Episode III. We
found one here via
Waxy.org. You can right click (PC) or control click (Mac) to download the
movie to your local system.
Once downloaded, open the movie in QuickTime. You might have other applications that can export sound and frames, if so, feel free to use those.
First, we're going to export the sound. Once exported we'll add it to the iPod Photo so we can listen to the sound track as we play the movie.
On a PC, with the movie open, click File > Export. Choose Movie to WAV, click options and choose. 44kHz, 16 bit, Stereo.
On a Mac, with the movie open, click File > Export. Choose Movie to AIFF, click options and choose the same
settings.
Import the sound in to iTunes, you can export them to the iPod now, or later, it doesn't really matter.
If you don't want to try and export the sound and try to sync it as you play, that's fine too. H. M. Warner said it
best—"Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?".
Exporting the movie to an image sequence
Now that the sound is out of the movie, it's time to export each frame. The frame rate of the movie we downloaded was
15 frames per second, we'll export the same in QuickTime
On a PC, with the movie open, click File > Export. Choose JPEG, type 15 for frames per second and click options. We select medium for quality, but feel free to experiment.
On a Mac, with the movie open, click File > Export. Choose Export Image Sequence and also select the same options as we did in the PC example.
We exported these to a new folder to keep them all tidy and one spot.
When you're finished, the 1 minute, 47 second movie exports to 1,616 frames (107 frames x 15.1 frames per second =
1,616). This might take awhile, so set it to export and get comfy.
On a Mac QuickTime gave us 1,626...
...and on a PC 1,616 not sure why, but there it is.
Transferring the photo sequence to the iPod photo
Now that we have 1,616 photos, we'll use the new feature(s) in iTunes to sync the photos over the iPod photo.
On a PC, click Edit > Preferences > iPod, choose Photos and click "Choose folder". Select the folder you saved all the images to from QuickTime.
On a Mac, click iTunes > Preferences > iPod, same deal.
Once selected, you'll see the total number of photos that will be imported. iTunes will now convert (optimize) the images before they're sent over to the iPod Photo. Once completed, they'll then be sent over, again, this might take awhile.
Playing the "movie" on the iPod Photo
After the photos are synced over to the iPod Photo, disconnect the iPod from the dock, to listen to the sound while you play the movie, click Music > Songs > Episode_III_Teaser_Trailer and press play. To start the movie click Menu > Menu > Photos > Photo Library > the iPod photo will spin up and display the thumbnails, depending on where the soundtrack is, or where you want to start playing, click wheel to a photo and press the center button, as it plays quickly spin your finger around the wheel to get a "movie-like" playback.
With practice you can play clips of movies and for the most part it looks as you'd expect, kinda
crummy. So, what does it look like to play "movies" on the iPod
photo?
Click here to watch a video of us, well, playing a video
(Windows Media, WMV)
...and click here to watch a QuickTime version
(MOV).
Some bad news...
It seems on both a Mac and PC the photos (frames) do not import in order, it's likely a weird modification date or
something else, we went in manually and removed some photos, re-synced and that works (sometimes). If anyone has any
suggestions on why this would happen, or ideas, please let us know.
Other uses...
A simple but very cool version of this is to create "VR" objects or 3D views of an object and import them to the iPod.
On example, is an iPod on an iPod that the folks over at Griffin made an sent along to us. To make your own, just take
a few photos of an object at different rotations around the object and import them in the same way as we did with the
movie frames.
to view (QuickTime, MOV).
And the killer use...
We didn't have time to document the best use of this simple trick, but we'll be working on it shortly—which is of
course to export the Wizard of Oz and play it along with the Dark Side of the Moon.
If you don't know what we're talking about, follow the yellow
brick road here.
Okay—really playing movies...
Now that being said, the screens on the iPod are quite nice and if real movie playback was possible, it wouldn't be
that bad at all— we're hoping that Apple considers it, but if they don't there are tons of alternatives. And of course
if you'd really like to play movies on a portable device, you can hold off on that $500 iPod photo purchase and pick up
an Archos, Creative Zen or about dozen other choices. But hey, there's
nothing like doing an old fashion trick on a new shiny iPod. We like the Creative Zen Portable Media Center for what
it's worth.
Phillip Torrone can be reached via his personal site, http://www.flashenabled.com.
Do we have to have Quicktime PRO, or can we use the regular Quicktime?
Also is there a way that we can put an entire movie on our iPod, let's say Austin Powers? About how long does it take just to put that Star Wars Trailer on the iPod?
Get back to me at therabidape@yahoo.com
Are we able to fast forard and rewind movies?
Nevermind I watched movies abou this topic and id more research.
I cannot imagine anyone wanting to watch a full-length movie on a tiny screen like the iPod's. If you want to see a movie, go to the theatre or plant yourself in front of a TV set. Remember the tiny portable TV's, terrible images.
iPod is great for music, data and photos. Anything else get the full sized appliances to view movies.
That seems so cool but if u want video just buy an iRiver PMP-120 for the cost of a iPod photo and you can actually play video without getting capoltone in your hands LOL!!! But its still cool i wonder can you do that video trick on iRiver h320
yeah maybe there are much bedder playas outta there, but they got no style... form follows function, thats why iPod is so popular or do U now sombody really famous that would prefer iRiver or so to an iPod?
You know what, some people are morons. Whoever says that the Apple iPod is not the best player is crazy! As for this "experiment", it is farfetched and has no use. You posers with your iRivers are just hatin' on Apple.You would not have the iRiver if Apple had not made the iPod. You know! Y'all are just jelous because you can not afford the iPod.But my question is why are you so interested in this iPod video thing if you do not even have one!? As for the video thing, iTunes revolutionized the Mp3 player. They are not going to stop there. For Apple, the sky is the limit, and they are only hovering above the ground.
Finally -- an upgrade path for my Fisher Price Movie Viewer, circa 1974! With the classic rotary clicking action, and everything!
http://www.timewarptoys.com/fpview.jpg
If it can't play movies at that price why would you buy it? Ipod users are brainwashed. Just to watch a slideshow of your pictures? Your digital camera already has that function built in. at a lower price, an iriver does so much more. Apple is milking you for all your money. releasing one extra function at a time.
LOL, what des that little fischer price thing do anyway.
And yes there are better player out there. BUT, they are huge and bulky and have relatively shitty designs. BUT, i have learned that iPod photos are not for movies, but for pictures, Creative Labs has one that can play movies. ANd so does iRiver.
therabidape@yahoo.com
I was watching the LOTR Return of the King extended cut bonus material over Christmas vacation...(yes, it was a great relaxing time) and they were talking about how they would send the movie from New Zealand to England over the internet, because Peter Jackson was there doing the music score. They were unable to get the secure internet line all the way to Jackson's hotel (came up like 2 miles short or something), so everyday, someone would have to drive to the computer, and they said they downloaded it onto their iPod, drove it back to peter, and then he would play it on his tv. I don't know if you guys know how they did this, but it showed them doing it right on the DVD, so maybe if you were curious enough, you could contact NewLine Cinema or something??
comments; mulder_k2@hotmail.com
No way to make the scrolling automatic?
BUY IN IRIVER H340 YOU CAN PLAY REAL MOVIES ON THAT
Is it possible to set the Frames in 2 seconds (for example 30 Frames per 2 seconds) and set the slideshow settings on your ipod in 2 seconds. Maybe you can watch a movie without quickly spinning your finger around the wheel to get a movie-like playback.
Hi Phillip, Thanks fo the tip - its perfect for re-examining the Kennedy assassination while waiting for public transport.
However, I am not fully satisfied. I was unable to see any Video on my TV screen using the click wheel - it only shows the lame-ass 2 second slide-show. Why is this? Is there a way around it? Would an S-video cable help me any? Is there firmware? I want to invite people round, so everyone can see the trajectories and the grassy knoll and finally solve this thing once and for all.
Technical advice earns genuine gratitude.
Best - RS
hi i just got an ipod colour for xmas but wen i come to play the sound with the pictures it wont let me scroll round i haft 2 click and as you can think clicking takes a lot longer to play the "movie" how can i play the sound and pictures and scroll round at the same time??? if u could get back 2 me soon
i'm a vj also, working frames 2 frames picture animation, i loaded 15000 frames into ipod photo and it work perfectly with my style of work, i know people say "buy a real players" but for what i do i don't need sync sound, i'm pure experimental.
the weel work perfectly for scratches and it's way cheaper than the pionner dvj1 (-+3700.00).
BUT how do you output without using slide show.
any hack, patch or special trick? this toy could create a revolution into the vj scene, for the thumb i guess you'll get use to it.
So cool.
Apple should really update their firmware, i want to play movies too!
I noticed a few posts, just browsing this site, stating that this whole issue is lame and that people should just go out and purchase a player that supports video. I understand that totally, for someone who absolutly must have video. But I believe this is more or less a "let's see what we can do" issue. And that, to me, is worth more than any "real" video player out there. If it weren't for people "messing around" with iPods or any other technology for that matter, we most likely wouldn't have the wonderfull toys that we have today. I say if you have the time, money and patience... go for it! Some people just simply miss the concept of "fun". Those are the people who run the business and legal aspect of this world. The ones who test, hack, play, or even break apart the these advances in technology, regardless of their intentions, are the ones who drive the industry and help it evolve.
I would have loved to meet the guy who invented treds on tires! :) He probably got sick and tired of sliding all over the place, took out his pocket knife and released his anger on the tires and walla!... instant millionaire! haha But then again I don't know much about tires. :)
- just my thoughts
It looks like the iPod Photo (and iPod 4th gen) has no technical problems in playing movies.
The chip that is used - PP5020 ( http://www.portalplayer.com/products/documents/5020_Brief_0108_Public.pdf ) has native support for playing JPEG and ___MJPEG___
MJPEG is not as efficient as MPEG, but it will do just fine for the small resolution of the iPod Photo (220x176). Thus, when iPodLinux will support iPod Photo, you can expect a MJPEG player for the iPod Photo.
Here's a more modest goal for the iPod photo, one that might be accomplished more easily yet still have a profound effect on the ways that this device is used in the near future,
Self-running, audio-annotated slide shows.
How is this different from the slide shows that you can do now?
Today's iPod photo slide shows do not link the audio with the slides in any meaningful way. The slides go by at a fixed rate and this is not the way people give presentations. They talk for 10 sec. on one slide, 20 sec. on the next one and 90 sec. on the one after that and so on. These will be of variable duration so that speech matches slides.
How could this design goal be achieved? There are probably many viable approaches but here's one that comes from way back in the past -- from the days of film strip/cassette tape systems. The 'advanced' models were capable of using audio signals above and beyond human hearing range on the cassette to let the filmstrip projector know when to advance to the next slide. It seemed like magic.
How might such a capability be used? Here are two really obvious applications:
1) In education, faculty will create slide shows with audio cues and make them available as PodCasts are now (RSS attachments). Students will download them to their iPods, listen-look and learn at any time, at any place and without need of any network or computer to lug around.
2) In entertainment, recording companies and independent artists will create slide show imagry to accompany their music using the same software that university profs used in #1 above. Think of this as a music video done with stills. Music consumers will also get into the act by creating their own slide shows to accompany music they really like.People will share their slideshows with other fans as if they were blogging with pictures instead of words.
YOU APPLE LOVING FAGS. YOU ARE ALL A BUNCH OF VEGATARIAN ANDROGENOUS EUROPEANS. I CAN ACTUALLY WATCH REAL MOVIES ON MY IRIVER. DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE
ure just jealous that we have iPods and you don't :P
we have style ;)
WHY not just buy a iRiver H3xx????
Much better :-D I'm loving it :)
The video function works great enough!
Firstly Post #73. Eric - Your a cock.
I gave this a try just for a laugh, It's not hard to do at all, and is a cool little party trick. Most Excellent.
Could you jsut auto mate the scrolling with a differnt os or a adon for the original os. it fast enough to render the images it jsut a matter of auto mating it
it would be cool if someone could just make a system where it could go through the photos that fast by it self, so u dont have to do it the whole time
With iPodlinux you can have a real video player on your iPod. I have tested it and it works :0 see a exampled at http://www.kruyt.org
I really like The Shins' video "Pink Bullets" that you can buy on the iTunes Music Store for 99 cents (in addition to 99 cents for the song). Using iTunes 4.8 (the latest version) the video plays, and looks nice, in the little "Song Artwork" window in iTunes, so it could play nicely on an iPod Photo's window! The song itself is 3.4 MB but the MP4 video is a bit larger at 45 MB. It is 480 x 360, Millions of colors and uses AAC stereo audio at 44.100 kHz.
If you click on the song artwork in iTunes a new window pops up showing the video full-size, which you can additionally zoom to fill most of the computer's screen.
I haven't gotten a iPod Photo (yet), so I was wondering whether anyone has tried to play this or one of the other iTunes videos (search for "Bonus Video" in the iTunes Music Store) on their iPod Photo. You never know, it's all-Apple and it might work!
Idea; play a slideshow of the images at high speeds? If it isn't built in, add it into Linux on your iPod.
Maybe you know already, but there is iPod Linux Video Player ;)
http://www.ipodhacks.com/article.php?sid=1390
watch for video: http://www.ipod.ge/ipodvideo.mov
what are some other sound and frame exporters programs out there?
what are some other sound and frame exporters programs out there?
To make sure they're in order when exporting 1000+ frames, it will export 001-999 then go 1000. Just unclick add a space before frame number and name the file 000 (zero zero zero). this will call the first frame 000001 allowing 1 million frames to be exported in order with no problems.
Tried it with my iPod that I purchased from http://www.egadgetmag.com . Couldn't really get sound out of it and the video was pretty chopy. Any Suggestions? You guys think apple will ever release a iPod that plays movies. I really wouldn't doubt it if we'd see it in the next 2 years.
I don't think is a good idea play videos in a 2'' screen, but what about a file that contains still photos and audio? immagine that you podcast news and while listening you could see some related pictures. the only think you need is create a slideshow file but ipod should allow read this file.
Hey guyz wait till you hear this......
Word on the street (Wall Street, that is)
has it that Apple has approached Warner, EMI,
Universal and Sony BMG to license music videos
to sell via the iTunes Music Store for $1.99
each by as early as September.
Theyre also apparently in talks with media
companies about licensing TV shows to offer via
the iTMS, though the complexity of securing
rights there may take longer than for music
videos or even feature films. The WSJ article
also indicates that Apple has told some music
industry execs that it has plans to announce
a video iPod by September, as well.
Keep in mind that this all seems a bit fishy
given Apples customary tight lippedness on
product announcements, but were sure
theres a blogger they can crack down on
somewhere.
Please let me know if the new Ipod Video 30G plays movies. Thnaks..
couldnt you just change it to an mp4 format and use it the way psp's are used to play movies?
This is the best way to play video on your ipod if you dont want to risk it and install IpodLinux to play video on your ipod! This way you dont risk damaging your ipod.
I was wondering if there is a app or hack that allows you to set a framerate in the photo mode of the ipod so you do not have to spin the click wheel to whatch the movie!
Anybody email me if they think they have a way!
vbman213@gmail.com
Christian McDonald
p.s. if anybody wants a gmail account I have about 100 invites I could Give away!
Just Let me know
Oh yeah, here is the site for posting your home-made ipod video movies! http://www.ipodcinemaplex.com
PLEASE TELL HOW TO USE MY IPOD WITH MORE THE ONE IPOD USER SAME COMPUTER JUST ONE IN THE HOUSE I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING BUT IT STILL READ ONLY THE 20IPOD NOT MY 30IPOD WITH VIDEO
You have to convert your video to mp4...thats what i did and it works perfectly fine....WITHOUT HAVING TO SCROLL through all of the images...u just press play and it works...and u can also fast forward and rewind. i guess u just download a program that converts movies to mp4...i used my brothers psp movie thing...so yea...its easier than having to do all of that.
come on guys why would apple relase the 5th gen ipod with video compatibility just to update the firmware to play videos on the fourth gen. Even if the fourth gen can play videos apple aint gona let u cus they want u to go buy the fifth so stop living in hpe of this and if u want videos buy a plyer that can play videos!
where do you find the manual for ipod 30gb.we are finding it difficult to work this expensive piece of equipment. awaiting your reply.
just use ipodwizard and change delay to 1/2 of a second. then enjoy!