On this occasion I want to share with all my list of recommended settings for encoding video to be used in N96.
While I've done a lot of testing, please note that this is just my recommendation, and this was tested with a firmware that may be different to what you have in your hands so things may have changed.
I'll keep using the N96 and if I find any significant changes I'll post an updated version. I've also done efforts to cross check my findings with what's available from official sources so I feel pretty confident that these settings are accurate.
As always, if you have comments or questions, feel free to add them here. I'll do my best to review, post and answer any questions you may have. Even if the answer is "I don't know" ;)
Ok on to the settings:
For playback in N96 screen
Codec: MPEG-4 Part 10 AVC/H264 Baseline Profile
Container: .mp4
Resolution: QVGA 320x240
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 (1.3333)
Framerate: As per source but limit is 29.97
Bitrate: 600 kbps (but can go as high as 1 Mbps but there's little gain in quality)
Audio: mpeg4aac, 96 kbps @ 44.1 KHz sample rate (can use 48 KHz if source is 48 KHz)
For use with TV-out
Codec: MPEG-4 Part 10 AVC/H264 Baseline Profile
Container: .mp4
Resolution: VGA 640x480
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 (1.3333)
Bitrate: 1 Mbps
Framerate: As per source up to 29.97.
Audio: mpeg4aac, 96 kbps @ 44.1 KHz sample rate (can use 48 KHz if source is 48 KHz)
Alternatively you can use MPEG-4 Part 2 SP/H263 Simple profile as the codec and use bitrates of 3 Mbps, this creates much bigger files but it's an alternative to H264/AVC.
Keep in mind that TV-out will change your video somewhat as the video will need to streched/cropped to PAL or NTSC and also the frame rate will change to comply with TV standards.
For WMV videos
Resolution: CIF (352x288) or QVGA (320x240). I haven't tested but QCIF (176x144) may also work.
Codec: WMV9 VC-1 SP/ MP.
Bitrate/Framerate: Depends on the profile you use. VC1 Simple profile: low level (QCIF 15fps), medium level (QVGA 24fps / CIF 15fps 384 kbps, VC1 Main profile, low level (CIF 30fps 2Mbps)
Audio part will be WMA (WMA2 part of WMV9) Use 32 kbps. and sample rate as per source material, you can of course go higher depending on the video bitrate. But for most cases I rather sacrifice audio quality than video since there's not a lot of headroom.
For Flash Lite Videos
If you are already converting your videos to FLV you can also use them on the N96 but these videos don't show up in the Video Manager or Photos applications so you need to access them through the File Manager.
Here are the specs:
Codec: Sorenson Spark or h263 or VP6
Resolution: QVGA 320x240
Bitrate: 192 kbps (for video part)
Framerate: 25 fps for h263 15 fps for Sorenson or VP6
Audio: MP3 (Mpeg1 Layer 3) variable bitrate
Combined bitrate should be around 350 kbps (in my tests if you start going to around 500kbps then the playback becomes choppy).
Other Codecs and Containers
There are other possible codecs to use, like Realvideo (Rm or Rmvb) but after doing some testing I don't recommend using Real as the performance is much restricted. I guess the main reason for still keeping real (keeping it real), ;) is mainly for video streaming. So CIF and QVGA are the main resolutions, only 15 or 25 fps is supported and the bitrate needs to be quite low (256 kbps).
You can also use .3GP and .3G2 containers for MPEG-4 codecs, as well as using .M4V container. Just keep in mind that iTunes uses H264 MAIN profile in their .m4v videos so they will NOT play in N96.
WMV can also have the extension .ASX or .ASF usually for streaming links. I had had some problems if the wmv or asf file contains more than 1 video or audio stream. The end result being that it doesn't play or plays partially.
MPEG-4 Part 10 also includes the "normal" mpeg-4 (non AVC) and several Levels are supported. Baseline profile Levels 1, 1b, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2. So it's an alternative as well.
Thumbnails and other issues to keep in mind
You can still create you personalized thumbnails to be displayed in video center following my previous tips. HERE
The file attribute “hidden” should be turned on for the thumbnail. The best way to do this is to set the hidden attribute when you create the images on a Windows PC (right mouse click on file in File Explorer -> Properties ->Hidden). Or use YBrowser to achieve the same effect.
- TIP: Some things to keep in mind is that when you load a lot of video clips, video center may not show them right away, you may need to leave it open for a few minutes before the library is refreshed. While this is happening your videos may not play correctly as the N96 is furiously searching for all those videos and creating thumbnails.
- TIP: If you just inserted a Memory Card with lots of videos, they may not appear right away in the Video Center, you have to let the program find the videos. It's very important that you either a) DO NOT remove the memory card while Video Center is searching for videos or b) Use the"Remove F: Memory card" option from the power button. Failure to do so may cause corruption to the Memory card
Also, the Photos application also shows videos stored in your device. So you can choose whether to use Photos or Video Center.
- TIP: Remember to save your videos in the VIDEOS or MY VIDEOS folders in the Mass Memory (E:) or the memory card (F:)
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40 comments:
What programs (video encoders) do you recommend for creating videos compatible with the N96?
I explained that here:
Link
There are a lot more out there, and I don't really have a lot of time to keep trying new ones.
But I do from time to time.
Media Coder is okish and it works, but I still prefer SUPER and IMTOO.
I nedd some help with these settings
Is there anything specific you need klarkodio?
Hi,
I'm having problems with the Nokia N96's podcasts and other videos being very jerky and failing to continue. It happens with BBC iPlayer too, but only on some files.
The podcast I tried was a GeekBrief video podcast.
It tries to play with realplayer, but grinds to a halt.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Geoff.
Try to update to version 11 firmware if you can.
Are you using BT headphones or normal headphones?.
Seems that sometimes, specially if you just loaded videos to the device, this is more likely to happen. But other times the same video plays fine.
I haven't had any probs playing Geekbrief video podcasts but have had some probs with Wild Discovery :(
Hello
I am using Super to convert a 716mb .avi file to mp4 for the N96 TV out options you suggested and it's been going for 3 and a half hours now and the size has exceeded the original!!Is that normal?
Chryssa
Check out my post about SUPER settings.
Some things to keep in mind.
If the source file is lower resolution or bitrate then there's no point in going higher. Choose a lower rez and bitrate.
SUPER can take twice or more the time the video lasts. So for a 2 hour video SUPER may take 4 hours or more to encode. Depends on many things. Again see my old post about using SUPER.
I am having trouble showing videos that I transfer from my N95
You mean they don't play in N96?
can you post the Video properties. Please be specific otherwise I can't help.
Ok, so I just transfered some of my music videos to my N96, but I think there's some problems with playing it. Everytime I play it, the N96 sometimes slightly paused. My setting is source frame rate, video bit rate: 768 kbps, 320 x 240, audio bit rate: 128 kbps. Help me out, thanks in advance.
Hi. Thanks for the specs. They worked great in converting a video and playing on a normal TV however even converted at 30fps the video was a tad jumpey. Is there anything I might be doing wrong or anything I can do to improve this?
Check out my post on how to get video file properties. Then post what's the video codec, Level and other details.
There's not enough information on your post to help you. Sorry.
Anonymous: What was was the frame rate of the source video?
The higher the framerate the most likely the phone will start to drop frames as the CPU tries to keep up.
In my experience 25 fps is more than enough.
Even 20 fps is good enough frame rate to produce smooth video.
What are the properties of the source and the properties of the converted video?, be specific. See my post about getting the video properties.
http://www.sizzledcore.com/2008/11/11/how-to-fix-nokia-n96-video-playback-issue/
Does this actually help?
Xenoboa
I've not experienced problems with fragmented or corrupted memory in my N96, but re-formatting and defragging the memory after copying and deleting many files is certainly recommended.
hi el_loco how r u ?
i want to buy n96 so
i want to ask u some questions about n96 what is your opinion about n96 ? i heared that it is hanging many times is it right or not ? the vedio isnot workining well & the camera also is it right or not ?
thanks i will wait for your reply
with my best wishses
sammar
The N96 IMHO is a good device but it has some things you got to get used to.
Read my TIPS about the N96.
It doesn't "hang" but it becomes slow in some situations when you load content. This has been much improved with V12 software and is not a big deal anymore.
The video works better than any other Nokia device I've had, as long as you use the recommended settings. Although the TV-out feature is better in the N95 (less blocky).
The camera, IMHO is better than the one int he N95. I don't know if that's saying much. The N82 and the N79 produce better pictures than the N96.
This is a complex device and you need to learn how to use it. It's different than the N95 in the way it handles things so you may be disappointed with it. But it's better than the N85 and N79 at the moment.
The N95 is still a very good alternative and so are other devices (non-nokia) if you want to use it as a video device.
Hi i have had a Nokia N96 for a few months now and i have tried all video converters, however playback from the N96 is always out of sync. I have tried SUPER, IMTOO and many others. I have converted to MP4, .3GP and loads other but still no luck. I have tried various diff settings also.
Please help?
Hello Anonymous.
There may be a number of reasons why you have out of sync videos.
But it's probably not the device but the source video.
Can you post the "exact" details of a converted video? Use MEDIAINFO software to get the detials.
Also does the video play correctly in-sync on the PC?
Can you post all the details of the source video, before you converted it?
Hi El_loco,
been trying your settings on SUPER, all I get is one frame of my DVD every 20 seconds or so, and the soundtrack chops (drops syllables of speech like a bad edit).
Is this something to do with drag'n'drop .vob files from the DVD? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?
Cheers for your helpful comments so far on here...
P.S. this is using the 'Direct Show Decode' function - without it the playback file runs real time but the picture is scrambled.
Hmm, not had much experience with VOB files.
My suggestion is to first convert the DVD into AVI or to convert the DVD structure to a single file.
VOB files are MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 files with some different header information.
Does the VOB file play correctly in SUPER before conversion?
Hi EL_Loco how r u ?
please reply me
ok thanks alot for your replying but i want to ask u about the sound quality on n96 ? and also about the music player i heared that when turn on the music player it turned off atoumatically during the playing is that right or not ? & what about the vedio recoder ? i heared that the sound in vedio recording is wise not smooth is that right or not ? then i want the new version update of the mobile to install it please tell me in steps how to install it ?
i will wait for your reply thanks
with my best wishses
sammar
Hi Anonymous
what's your opinion on the quality of camera n96 & vedio also & the radio also ? i heared that it is hanging many times is it right or not ? & what about the speed to enter the internet ? & i want tochat from the n96 with msn is that right or not ?
i will wait for your reply thanks alot
with my regards
sammar
hi Anonymous
thanks alot for your replying i heared that it is hanging many times is it right or not when i load any file or song or transfer the songs from pc to n96 ? what about the zoom in camera n96 ? & i want to chat with friends through n96 by using msn thrrough the net is that right or not ?
i will wait for your reply thanks alot
my regards
sammar
hi Anonymous
i want to chat with friends through n96 by using msn through the net is that right or not ?
i will wait for your reply thanks alot
my regards
sammar
I've been using N96 for over 3 months and its working superb. I've phone loaded to full 13GB memory space and 6.5 gb Memory card space (8gb card). It does not hang but yes is little slow at times. Video quality is amazing. I've too tried several convetors but Xilisoft is best.
One suggestion for movie convertors.. if ur trying to convert DVD into MP4 of 640*320 then might not work. U will not get the size. Its better to download the video from torrent and then convert. event 320*240 size will work (will be strecched a bit). However if u download *avi, mpeg or even Mp4 format, u can convert it with Xilisoft Mp4 convert (use normal, inspite of DVD) and u got a nice clear movie full screen size.
Camera is awesome. I use that daily with all digital camera features. Let me know if any more questions. Cheers!!!!
Converting AVI to MP4 will always expand the size. No other alternative for N96. Only *3gp, but it costs quality. I recommend Mp4 no matter what
Hi Sammar,
N96 sound quality is amazing. The player does not stop at all. But if to many things run then might slow a little but plays automatically after resources settle. However i'm not facing any problem even my phone memory stays almost 95% full.
As all other Nokia phone (5mp) N96 gives better picture quality even in dark and with dual big flash its awesome pictures. though night sport mode is bit low on quality but still give nice pic.
For N96 update, I recommend Nokia suite it gives better update.
For software, themes and wallpaper. "www.mobile9.com" and "www.zedge.com"
Hi Dragon,
Converting from AVI to MP4 only increases size if you add frames or bitrate. Or if the AVI file was originally using VBR and you don't use VBR in the MP4 file. Also if you oversample the audio portion you may end up with a bigger file. But in general AVI is similar to MPEG-4 in terms of compression. IMHO.
3GP is a container and as such it has no quality attached to it. You can put an MPEG-4 movie in a 3gp container with excellent quality. Mp4 is another container, so is AVI. Inside an MP4 container you can have h264 or MPEG-4 codecs, just like in an AVI container you can have a multitude of video condecs like IntelVideo, MSVideo, DIVX, xVID, MPEG-4, etc.
Containers is just the header of the file and the extension and NOT the codec, that's a different thing.
You need to read the post about becoming a better video editor that I wrote a while back.
Cheers!
Hi,
I just got a new n96 however, it seems that i can't play the videos that come with my phone cause everytimes i tried to play them it started with sound for 1 sec then the sound gone then the video just hang after 3sec. What should i do? Thanks.
Do any videos play at all?
Check that you have free phone memory. Also check the RAM status (you may need to install a program like Task Manager to check the RAM).
hi there, im tryin to get the best i can out of playin FLV files on my n96 n i wanted to maybe use these settings.. i jus hav 2 questions 2 ask..
1) are there any good FLV players u might suggest
2) this may sound noobish but.. what route might you take to get to the position of changin these settings
thanks in advance
- Martin
Hi Martin,
To the best of my knowledge there's no third party Flash player for S60.
So you're stuck with what's built in which is not great as it doesn't do de-blocking and other nice things.
The only thing I recommend is playing full screen on the flash player.
Mostly flash was intended for low quality videos (youtube and such) I don't think it was intended for high quality video enjoyment. Another oversight or miss judgement I think.
Hi there E!
My videos play very smooth for a while but after a few days they hang every 30 seconds... What can i do besides formatting the mass memory? What could be a reason for the video to stop playing smooth after a while? (even in offline mode) Too many videos on the mass memory? Corrupted video center? Is there something i can delete with Xplore so i don't have to format the entire mass memory?
John.
That's really odd.
I've never seen this problem.
Are you loading/taking a lot of pictures or are you running an email client or another program that may be working in the background?
Most likely the videos stutter because something else is using up the resources. Most likely CPU and/or RAM.
Make sure you close unused program. Make sure that you don't have pictures and videos that are not already found by Video Manager and Photos, make sure you don't have an email client checking for email in the background.
Other than that I don't know. Formatting the memory shouldn't be the issue here.
"MPEG-4 Part 10 AVC/H264 Baseline Profile"
care to put some light on this codec ? I'm using Any DVD converter or Xilisoft Ultimate coverter for N86. I can't under what you mean by MPEG-4 "Part 10 " I can't find it in codec list of my converters.
I really enjoyed reading your blog. Its one really informative :)
thank you for your efforts.
Regards
Waqas!
Hi Wagas,
Part 10 of the MPEG-4 standard refers to AVC (Advanced Video Codec) also referred to as H264. AVC or H264 is part of the MPEG-4 family of codecs.
In Xilisoft you need to select H264 or AVC as the codec.
The trick is to have the codec "version" or "profile" as BASELINE. I don't remember how you did this in Xilisoft. In ImToo you had to select the codec version to 0 (zero) and this would force baseline profile. In SUPER you click on the h264 icon and a window opens up where you can select the profile.
So bottom line it's mandatory to select BASELINE profile when using MPEG-4 AVC H264.
Thanks, im using AVC and it works great, much better than the nokia software
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