Can pre play Xvid? I see it can play MPEG-4 but that doesn't say much. I would really like to have a device that can do it all. I currently use my Creative Zen for music and to play xvids videos. I currently have a motoq but surfing the web with it is a waste of time imo. Does anyone know the answer?
I think many people want to know this... Me included... At least let it not be like the iPhone where you have to use Quicktime formats...
Considering that the Pre supports MPEG-4, H.263, and H.264 I would say that if the XviD codec is not supported at release it would simply be a matter of compiling the XviD binary on webOS and releasing it as a wrapping app or something. I say "simply a matter of..." in that I won't be the one to do so it will be simple for me. For those not familiar with the codec: FAQ = http://www.xvid.org/FAQ.14.0.html Which version to use = http://www.xvid.org/Interoperability.17.0.html#c143 The obligatory Wikipedia = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xvid
That is the one thing I just hate about my iPod is that I have to have 2 different formats for each movie I have. One for the iPod, and one for everything else.
If I was to guess, don't you think they would have published that information along with the other formats it does play?
Mostly because of the difference between file formats and codecs. .wma, .avi, and .mp3 are examples of formats, but there is no .xvid format. Instead, it's a way to compress .avi files. For more info check the links I provided a few posts up. /shrug Frankly, I'd be surprised if any of the reviewers took the time to convert a video file using the many available codecs and tested to see what worked and what didn't. If they went beyond what's listed in the documentation and youtube I'd be impressed. Best, .
Hmm, interesting. Thanks. I've written up a quick walkthrough for converting (or just compessing) video files for the phone and am waiting for chris to edit/approve it before publishing it.
Alright I've just tested a whole bunch of file types: AVI (xvid/divx) - doesn't recognize old MPEG - doesn't recognize MOV - doesn't recognize WMV - doesn't recognize MP4 - recognizes, "unknown error" when playing it (83mb/5 minute file) So it could be a RESOLUTION issue as well?
It seems that way. I also tried an mp4 and got an error. I need a manual that has more detail on what exactly can it play. My old Creative Vision M can play these files without reducing the resolution. I don't understand why the Pre can't do the same.
Well, nuts. I transferred an .mp4 file that I had re-encoded without regard to resolution (352x288) and the Pre threw an error. I then re-encoded the original to force it to a width of 480px; same error. I grabbed the "Have Fun" intro video off of the phone and looked at it with GSpot (see attached). Nothing looked out of the ordinary, so I tried to re-encode the Have Fun file jsut to see what would happen. HandBrake logged the following: Ok, so it's DRM-protected. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. [strike]So, yeah. Without stripping the DRM off of the file to see if there's anything missing, we're kind of at a stand-still. (For the record, DRM removal is legally touchy and I'm neither condoning nor recommending it.) I suppose the Pre might only play DRM-protected files (??) but I don't know of any way to add DRM protection to a file. /scratches head[/strike] I got a video to play. Lemme confirm with a larger file then I'll update my blog post for chris to review.
I found out that all my videos I had formatted using Videora iPod Converter for my ipod touch 2g works perfectly fine with the Pre.. so I recommend running your videos through that converter
No, but we knew that. Looks like another format is headed our way: http://dotplaid.wordpress.com/2009/06/06/pre-friendly-video-conversion/ With Proof! Best, .
