Archived from groups: comp.sys.palmtops.pilot (More info?)

Quality Video on Palm: Full guide

Hi Everyone!
First, I want to explain the purpose of this guide. This guide explains in
detail how you can prepare video to watch on you Palm handheld. It usable
mostly for converting full-length 1.5-2 hour movies to be stored on even a
small 128mb sd-card with uperior quality. But you can use it as well for
preparing video taken with digital or video camera , tv-tuner captured
video or another video from any other source which is stored in MPEG or AVI
format , also Mpeg2. This includes most popular now-a-days DIVX and XVID
videos. However it does not include converting a DVD - this is different
process and I'm aiming to write another uide which explains it. (please tell
me anybody if you need such guide.) .

This guide is targeted for an inexperienced users as well. So anybody
which is not familiar with video conversion/compression issue could also
prepare and watch movies. The text marked with /*..*/ is some additional
advanced explanations, and comments. If you are new to all this and you
just want to prepare quality video for your palm - you don't need to read
them.
This guide was inspired by my previous guide
Here on the Brighthand.

All programs mentioned in this guide are free , mostly open-source software
best in their field.
The only program which is shareware - is a player for Palm -
Mmplayer . But it is the only player for
palm which can directly play Divx/Xvid/Mpeg video.
/* If you know another such player - please tell me. */

Now , before we start doing anything, a reasonable request from your side
would be to test the result immediately. So you can decide from the
beginning whether it worth dealing with.
No problem at all. I prepared a couple of files - parts of movies already
good for watching them on Palm. So all you need to do - is download a
Mmplayer and one or more of the test video files and see by yourself. You
can download any version of Mmplayer, the last for now is version 0.2.12.
Get it here:
MMPlayer0.2.12.zip. I
personally use version 0.2.8, here:
MMPlayer0.2.8.zip and
0.2.6 ,
MMPlayer0.2.6.zip . The
guide was tested on 0.2.6 and 0.2.8 version. Since everything works fine
for me with these versions already - I see no reason to upgrade. Also there
are rumors that newer version might be slower. OK, here are some examples
for download. : These files were prepared to be watched on Zire71, so they
should run smooth any other equivalent or faster OS5 machines, which means
all other machines except Tungsten|E .
/* T|E users also can watch movies on their pda, but you need
overclocking, just read ahead */


video type: Fast motion ( "The Matrix" fighting scene)
resolution: 320x144
file length: 2min 6sec, file size: 5.5mb
download Here


video type: cartoon
resolution: 320x176
file length: 1min 52 sec, file size: 5.5mb
download Here


-=Specially for Tungsten||T3 users or other with 480x320 screen.=-
video type: fast motion (StarWars space fight scene)
resolution: 480x224
file length: 3min 4sec, file size: 8.8mb
download Here


All files were created using Xvid video codec (last version) and Mp3 audio
codec.

P.s Of course you can watch files on your computer too, but they look MUCH
better on Palm's screen than on computer monitor. 

P.s2: Some users said that they can't download files. Well these are not
direct link to the .avi files because the server I'm storing files on, doesn
't support direct download. (If anyone know better free server to store some
20mb - tell me) So after clicking on the file, you just need to click on
"follow this link to save the file"
[img]

Well, I know this is silly to try to "show" how video looks on palm screen
by pictures, but anyways, here's a couple of screenshots of my zire71
screen :
http://junglemike.nm.ru/screenshot0004.jpg[/img]
[img]

If somebody has troubles playing those files, here's short explanation. It
depends whether you have or Don't have card reader
A)you do have card-reader. Just copy the .avi files on your SD card, than,
after launching MMplayer, you will see this window:
http://junglemike.nm.ru/screenshot002.jpg[/img]

Than go back to "Main" and play the file(s).

B)You Don't have card-reader. You can encounter some problems adding .avi
file to your handheld. So I suggest using this simple technique: just rename
the .avi file to .pdb file so, hotsync manager won't complain. After you
synchronized , you have to rename the file back to .avi on the palm itself
using any file manager, like Filez (free) /Mcfile/Zlauncher.


/* OK, now, before I start the guide itself, some of you make ask the
following question:
Why to use especially THIS solution? There are many programs like Kinoma/
Smartmovie/ PocketDVD/other?
Let me explain about this in couple of words. First, all these programs can
be divided into 2 categories:
1) programs like Kinoma, which use their own format to play, It also
includes a application for PC which will convert files.
2) Programs like Smartmovie just help you to convert the file to smaller
..avi format - similar to what we will do in the guide.
1) Of course kinoma has it's advantages - it is very fast, easy to use. If
you have older M515 or other OS4 pda - kinoma is probably your only choice.
But you can't compare kinoma's format to the most advanced video
compression format in the world, which is Divx/Xvid, and other mpeg-4
(wmv9/rv10/vp6/sbc/.) There is no any other "special" format which will give
you better quality/size that Divx, especially Xvid. So if you want to be
able to put full movie on 128mb card having superior quality - you have to
use Mpeg-4 (divx/xvid).
2) Most programs of this category will not give you access to some advanced
codec parameters, which will give you even better quality/smaller size. I'm
talking about things like amount of b-frames/ vhq mode, etc.

Bottom line: So why spending money on buying software , if you can do

everything by yourself, and even with maybe better result all for free? */

/* In this guide I will use Xvid codec, since imho it is currently the
best of all other mpeg-4 codec, as you can see here in the most well-known
[URL=http://www.doom9.org/index.html?/codecs-203-1.htm]Latest Codec
Comparison[/URL] */
/* Xvid has another advantages: it enables you to use more b-frames (see
explanation ahead) and it allows you to specify the file Size and not just
bitrate, which is very useful. But this is a matter of choice. Differences
are hot that huge and you of course can use any other Mpeg-4 compatible
codec like Divx5/Sbc... */
Finally, we can start the guide. OK, here's the software you will or may
need:


-=GUIDE STARTS HERE=-
1) Download and install necessary software


VirtualDubMod - the main program we will
work with.
[URL=http://www.roeder.goe.net/cgi-bin/fetch?file=XviD-1.0.1-05062004.exe]La
test XVID codec[/URL]
Lame MP3 codec .
Most chances that you already have mp3 codec, but anyways.
Other various free video/audio tools can be found
here .
This is what we will need for the process. But you also may need another
codecs (decoders) to be able to open some files.
For example files with AC3 sound. So if you having troubles opening some
partiqulair files, download
This Codec pack , which contains:
DivX3.11alpha, DivX5.11 Pro, XviD Koepi 1.0.1, Huffyuv 0.2.2.1, AC3Filter
0.70b, mpgaudioax, Morgan Stream Switcher and ffdshow

2)Opening file in VirtualDubMod.
After starting virtualdubmod, open file you want to convert by File->Open
video file. It can be .Avi or Mpeg file mostly. In my case I will convert a
Shrek2 video file which is 700mb - 1 cd (that I downloaded over P2P, but let
's not talk about this)
[img]

After loading file into virtualdubmod, you should see it opened:
http://junglemike.nm.ru/VD_file_information.jpg[/img]

this file is made using Xvid video codec and MP3 audio codec.

3) Video frame rete (fps):
Ok, Unless you file is somehow specially made , it will probably have about
20.30 fps (frames per second) - what most video files have. - you can see
this info in previous picture. Most Palm's can't handle such huge framerate
, maybe only those with 300mhz cpu or faster. And even than consider that
leaving frame rate as is will require twice size to achieve same quality
leve, which only possible for one movie on 256mb sd, and not 128. Anyway,
set video framerate to a Half by Video->Frame rate->Process every other
frame:
[img]

If your file is made by some digital camera, and is already 10 .15 fps or
lower - no need to change anything.
4) Video resolution.
Well, this is most important part. Make sure you do everything right. First,
make sure that black point is set to Video->Full processing mode
Go to Video->Filters->Add->Resize, you will see this window.
/* I know there are more advanced resize filters like vdmod_resize, just
didn't want to complicate things */
http://junglemike.nm.ru/VD_resize_ready.jpg[/img]

5) Video Codec settings:
Go To video Video->Compression, you should see all you video codecs
installed:
[img]

Xvid will be the last one in the list, choose it and "configure"
Change profile to "unrestricted"
In "encoding type choose "Two-pass - First pass"
http://junglemike.nm.ru/VD_Xvid_settings_2.jpg[/img]

Thank click OK, and click on "Advanced optins"
Set VHQ mode to 4 - this will make encoding longer but will produce better
quality.
Set also chroma motion,
Set' "use cartoon mode" if it is a cartoon. - It is in the case of Shrek2.
You may put "turbo" as well, (but don't expect it to be much faster)
[img]

Click OK twice.


6) Audio Codec settings
Go to Stream->Stream List,
You will see smth like this:
http://junglemike.nm.ru/VD_audio_settings_2.jpg[/img]

So choose Mpeg-layer-3 and than you need to choose audio bitrate:
How to choose?
Well, it depends mostly on whether you are compressing "Very much" or not,
one normal moive aimed for 128mb sd-card is pretty much, so in this case I
would recommend to choose 24kbps/24khz/mono. If you are compressing one
movie to 256 sd card ( 180mb and more for 2 hours) - you can choose better
sound quality - 48kbps/48khz/mono , no need to go higher, you won't hear the
difference, better save your free space ( if you have ) to a video part .
I also strongly do NOT recommend using stereo sound , unless you have much
space (256mb and more) and you want perfect video and audio quality.
I have abut 190mb free on my 256mb SD card - so I decided to go for
"better" quality - 48/48/mono.
*Optional:* If your video has too low volume - you can experience low volume
problems in Mmplayer - so in that case you may increase volume by
right-click->Volume:
[img]

7) Saving temp and Output files
OK, now , after adjusting all the settings,
Go to File->Save as, and there type any filename, like temp. This is NOT
your result movie file - is is only the first pass file , and you won't be
needing this.

Also make sure you check "Don't run this job now.."
http://junglemike.nm.ru/VD_Xvid_settings_4.jpg[/img]

There you must specify the filesize you want for your video part. NOTE, this
is not the final size of the movie - this is only video part, you have to
consider audio part too. So first you need to calculate audio size, to
simplify the process, you can use this bitrate calculator program, get it
[URL=http://files.divx-digest.com/software/bitrate/AdvBitRate195.zip]Here[/U
RL] go to "disk space" tab, set divx bitrate to 0, fill "input length
video" - Shrek2 is 1hour 32min. so I put 32min. Than choose your audio
bitrate you have chosen before. You will see a size in megabytes that audio
part will take. In my case it is 32 mbAlthough Xvid is very advanced codec
and can do wonders, don't push it too far. For example compressing 2.5 hours
to 64mb is theoretically possible, and Xvid will make the file, but it will
look really ugly.
[img]

By the way, this calc can also help you calculate resolution, see next tab
"prop.calc" But it's too late now .
So now we know how much audio will take. So put video size accordingly. In
my case: I have free 190mb on my SD card, audio will take 32mb, so I have
158mb left for video. 158mb is (158*1024)=161792kilobytes. But never try to
make the file just "up to the last bit" - it will be pity if your file
doesn't fit, and you will have to do all over again. So to make sure , I
leave some 10mb free , and put 150000 in video size:
http://junglemike.nm.ru/VD_save_result.jpg[/img]

Than go to File->Job control, you will see there 2 jobs. In my cas I have
some more jobs (movies to make) that I don't want to delete. You will see
only 2 last lines, just click start.
[img]

Than you will see the following window, you can see how much time it will
take . Not, this is for only First pass, Second pass will take same or
longer time. For some decent Pentium3 class processor or higher, it shouldn'
t take longer than 3-5 hours.
http://junglemike.nm.ru/shrek_screenshot.jpg[/img]

Appendix A - Overclocking,
Well, unlike in PC area - you cannot burn anything by overclocking, but you
can lead to instability that may need soft or even hard reset. However it is
pretty safe to overclock to some degree. For example T|E and Zire 71 have
same processor - Texas instruments Omap310 processor, On manufacturer's
page
here is specified
that this processor is designed to work at 175mhz. So palmOne reduced the
processor speed to preserve the battery. That's why I'm sure it is
completely safe to overclock these 2 machines up to 175mhz or so - this
should be enough to watch movies in full screen.. Anyway, I overclock my
Zire to maximum - 192mhz - never had any problem. So to overclock the
processor you can use a program called "Lightspeed" , see
here .

Archived from groups: comp.sys.palmtops.pilot (More info?)

Cool guide, I'll give it a proper look when I've the time.

--
Toby