Play m4v files on the EVO + Handbrake

[Nvius]

First let me apologize if this question has been answered before. I have searched for Video Format threads and Handbrake threads, read them, tried things out, but I'm still stuck. I just received my phone today, so I'm still a noob when it comes to all of this, so please forgive my ignorance.

I just downloaded my digital copies of UP and WALL-E onto my Mac with the intention of putting them on my Evo to watch. I can watch them fine through itunes in .m4v format. Through research, I have found that m4v's are basically the same as mp4's and that the Evo should be able to playback m4v files.

However, when I transfer to my SD card (I made a "Videos" folder in my SD card) the video shows up in the native Video player, but I get an error saying it's unable to play. Additionally, I have tried downloading Real Player and mVideoPlayer and those too can see the file, but can not play it back.

So I decided to try to convert the m4v files to mp4 via Handbrake. Problem is, Handbrake crashes every single time I try to convert a video. I followed this step by step tutorial, but to no avail.

How to convert videos and transfer them to the HTC EVO 4G - Know Your Cell

Any help is appreciated. Needless to say, but I'm pretty frustrated with this. Thanks in advance!

Other than that, I love this phone. I'm a 3 year iPhone user since day 1 of the release of the iPhone and I have to say, I'm diggin' android and the HTC Evo.

 

[RVCA]

Try this open handbrake

Choose the File. Convert it to MP4 just to be sure

Toggle Presets" ---- MAKE SURE its under "IPOD LEGACY"

Click on "Video" ------------> Click on "Average bitrate" type in "5500"

Click on "Audio" ------audio codec -------> "AAC FAAC----> Sample Rate:48..Bitrate:160

Lastly PICTURE SETTINGS-----uncheck aspect ratio THEN set width at 800 and Height at 480


Convert it.

 

[Nvius]

Try this open handbrake

Choose the File. Convert it to MP4 just to be sure

Toggle Presets" ---- MAKE SURE its under "IPOD LEGACY"

Click on "Video" ------------> Click on "Average bitrate" type in "5500"

Click on "Audio" ------audio codec -------> "AAC FAAC----> Sample Rate:48..Bitrate:160

Lastly PICTURE SETTINGS-----uncheck aspect ratio THEN set width at 800 and Height at 480


Convert it.

For some reason I couldn't change the aspect ratio to 800 x 480 and I unchecked keep aspect ratio. Reason being, the source's highest res was 640 x 268. That doesn't seem right to me.

 

[dgeezer]

First off, I'm just guessing here but re encoding to a higher resolution than the source will result in a much worse looking video than the source played full screen. Have you tried just changing the extension? The containers are basically the same.

Handbrake won't allow a simple remux into a different container without re encoding as far as I know.

 

[kamikazekyle]

Question: Were these downloaded via iTunes? If so, they probably carry DRM. Until you break the DRM, you won't be able to convert them for EVO use unless you can break the DRM. If you got it via a digital download because you purchased the BluRay/DVD/etc, then it contains DRM and cannot be converted without breaking the DRM.

Anyway, if they're not DRM'ed or you have the DRM removed, you can use the iPhone/iPod Touch preset in Handbrake for a quick test. I use my own customized preset, but the iPhone/iPot Touch preset in Handbrake has managed to take anything I've thrown at it and convert it into something usable. Most videos designed for play on computers use features of a higher profile level to achieve better looking results for the same or less file size. Android doesn't support above the baseline profile for any mpeg4/h264 codec.

Also, as dgeezer mentioned, upsizing a video will always result in a loss of quality. The upsizing alogrithm used will determine the output vice video player/panel-level upscaling.

TIP: Check the "Web Optimized" checkbox if you want to stream the resulting file using gMote or similar.

 

[Nvius]

Yes, they were downloaded from iTunes from the digital copies included in the Blu-ray packs. This must be my issue then and I'll need to find a way to break the DRM.

On a sidenote...No, I wasn't trying to up convert. Handbrake wouldn't allow me to change the res higher than the source res.

Thanks, everyone.

 

[SeauxCrazy]

I'm glad someone else was having this problem lol. My handbrake was continuously crashing this past weekend with a movie file from iTunes. It's rather upsetting really b/c we pay for the movie, yet can't watch it on any other device that's not apple lol.

Might just have to go the 'illegal' way to get my copies of DVDs I own.

 

[RVCA]

For some reason I couldn't change the aspect ratio to 800 x 480 and I unchecked keep aspect ratio. Reason being, the source's highest res was 640 x 268. That doesn't seem right to me.

ok keep it as is then. Did this work for you yet?

 

[evotitans]

Look around...you can find places that have already done m4v movies....but the ones I have so far are just DVD quality.

Yet to find any that are extreme high quality. But then benefit is you can plop them right onto the EVO.

 

[sitlet]

if the movie is over 2gb it wont play on the evo. that could be the problem. also, most blu-rays i own have 2 digital copies, one specifically for itunes, and another for windows media player. try loading the media player one, handbrake will be more able to convert that.

also have you tried renaming the file to .mp4? sometimes just renaming the file will help.

 

[slopokdave]

FYI, I just renamed a 600MB video to .mp4 and it plays flawlessly...

 

[Vincent Law]

A. DRM content won't play on the EVO or any other device the DRM is not created for.
B. The container can be m4v or mp4, that doesn't matter. 99% of the time it's the codec used INSIDE the container. Your video must be h264, and it must be a specific version of it, called Baseline. Mobile devices don't have the power to decode higher end h264.
C. If the file is too large, you'll get errors because of the FAT32 filesystem.

 

[mem_reddog]

mediacoder ipod edition works great for me.

 

[DnS]

So what's the trick for playing m4v files on the Evo? It says in all the threads I can find (because there appears to be no 'official' instructions for this phone, only forums) that mp4 and m4v files are essentially the same and both should be played on the Evo. So far, no.

I downloaded Handbrake thinking I would convert the m4v files in my iTunes to mp4s, maybe that would help, but no ... Handbrake gets all kinds of errors and won't convert anything. I've got m4v file sitting in a video folder I created on the Evo and it won't play through the onboard 'video' app; gets a "Sorry this video cannot be played" error.

I can't even find anything that says what video files this thing is SUPPOSED to play. I'm really frustrated and any help anyone can provide would be appreciated before the Evo becomes the most expensive paperweight I own, and/or goes out the window.

 

[sitlet]

that mp4 and m4v files are essentially the same

mp4 and m4v are just containers, the files could have any number of codecs.

thinking I would convert the m4v files in my iTunes to mp4s,

If they are form itunes, they most likely have DRM, and will not convert.

I can't even find anything that says what video files this thing is SUPPOSED to play.

There's this new thing called a "search." If you would have used it, you would have found tons of threads on this site alone on how to do this. Here's one I would read all the way through, it has everything you need:

http://androidforums.com/tips-tricks-evo-4g/87073-htc-evo-handbrake-settings-video.html

But again, you need to try ripping a dvd or some other file, I really think your problem is Steve Jobs is living in your movies you bought from itunes.

 

[DnS]

Yes, unfortunately the "search" just comes up with threads like the one you posted; long and incomprehensible to me. I just want to watch movies on the Evo, mp4s don't play, m4vs don't play, and apparently they should. I am not a particularly technical person, I am not going to wax poetic about the difference in some quality setting when I can't get anything to play at all. Shouldn't mp4s and m4vs play on the Evo through the video player to comes with?

The m4vs are not bought through iTunes, they were merely loaded into it because that's where I was watching them on the computer. They all came from digital copies from the purchased Blu-ray discs. So no, it's not Steve.

Hey, here's a laugh: I don't know what "ripping" a dvd is supposed to do. Would that help in some way?

 

[icebergslim3000]

Why are people trying to play DRM protected movies on the evo. I have never had a problem putting movies on my phone. Ever. And I dont use Handbrake and all those other programs. If its not already in the Mp4 format I dont bother.

 

[jcthorne]

Files with Digital Rights Management will not play on the EVO. you do not have the rights to play the file there. Big Brother says so. The 'digital copies' you have from your bluray disk contain DRM. You do not have the rights to play them except where expressly allowed by the owner (not you).

Evo will play mp4 files encoded using h264 codec, baseline profile and level 3.1. Perhaps higher but those settings work on MY EVO and output via the HDMI cable to a flat panel. Keep the file size under 2GB. Don't know how much more plain I can make this. I transfer TV shows from my Tivo to my EVO for taking along on business trips. Play them on the plane and on the flat panel in the hotel room using the included Gallery application on the EVO. Very nice capability.

 

[sitlet]

Yes, unfortunately the "search" just comes up with threads like the one you posted; long and incomprehensible to me. I just want to watch movies on the Evo, mp4s don't play, m4vs don't play, and apparently they should.

And unfortunately, if you want to learn new things, you need to read. The thread I linked can be read in about 10 minutes. If you cant read that, then you will never learn how to do it.

Shouldn't mp4s and m4vs play on the Evo through the video player to comes with?

Again, mp4 and m4v are just CONTAINERS. Inside that container can be one of MANY different codecs. If that codec is not h264, it will NOT play on the evo. If it has any kind of copy protectiont, it will NOT play in the evo.

The m4vs are not bought through iTunes, they were merely loaded into it because that's where I was watching them on the computer. They all came from digital copies from the purchased Blu-ray discs. So no, it's not Steve.

The digital copies from most movies need to be brought into itunes for the SOLE purpose of playing on an ipod, which means they have DRM.

Hey, here's a laugh: I don't know what "ripping" a dvd is supposed to do. Would that help in some way?

Again, READING would help you there. The thread I linked contains a program called Handbrake, which can convert a ripped dvd to an h264 mp4 file for the evo. If you would Google dvd ripping, you would find millions of sites. But I'll save you the trouble, since you don't like to read, and tell you to download DVD Fab Decrypter. Use that to rip the movie to the hard drive, then use handbrake to convert it.

 

[mem_reddog]

medicoder ipod edition will convert video to h.264 and place it in a mp4 container.

 

[mikevember]

RockPlayer search it and download it, it will play mkv's on an Android device.

 

[DnS]

Despite all my READING (thanks there Sitlet, you're useless AND condescending), I haven't found any format for any video that will work. They're not protected, they're in mp4s and m4vs and mpeg4s and none of them will do squat.

The only support for this device seems to be either useless forum trolls or useless tech-geek exs. The forum trolls lose, guess I'll have to hit up the ex.

 

[EarlyMon]

The m4vs are not bought through iTunes, they were merely loaded into it because that's where I was watching them on the computer. They all came from digital copies from the purchased Blu-ray discs. So no, it's not Steve.

Then they are DRM-protected.

Period.

When you buy a Blu-ray with DVD download, you're often given a choice of how to get the DVD-quality movie - or sometimes - it's just from the iTunes Music Store (iTMS).

The video track on those digital copies - embedded on extra disks with your Blu-ray - or downloaded - is wide open.

The matching audio track is locked up with DRM.

Locking half is as good as locking the whole.

You cannot play them on non-DRM-unlocking players.

Those do not exist in Android.

You will not find a way to do what the studios do not want to allow you to do.

Remember - DRM stands for Digital Rights Management.

It's a software scheme that protects your digital rights in much the same way that prison protects your freedom.

Now - kindly stop calling people that are trying to help you with names.

It's not their fault that you don't understand.

You can want those copies to play all you want.

You can believe you're entitled.

You can continue to expect to find some player or scheme that will work.

You can't and according to the MPAA - you're entitled to nothing.

This is the only sad answer you'll find.

Call your congresscritter and call them names - most of them seem to be in the MPAA's back pocket.

Leave the rest of us out of your frustration, thanks.

 

[sitlet]

I haven't found any format for any video that will work.

Ok, now you just arent listening/reading. There is only one codec that will work with the stock video player, and that is h.264. I dont understand why you wont convert your videos to this codec. If you do, they will work, I promise. Everyone else on here gets their videos to work perfectly, you are the only one who refuses to read and listen to people on here who are trying to help you.

they're in mp4s and m4vs and mpeg4s and none of them will do squat.

This is the third time I have told you this: JUST BECAUSE IT IS AN MP4 FILE DOES NOT MEAN IT WILL WORK!! Again, MP4 is just a CONTAINER, something you put a CODEC into. You need to make sure whatever software you are using (I have suggested multiple times to use Handbrake, as it works for thousands of people on here) is using h264 codec.

The only support for this device seems to be either useless forum trolls or useless tech-geek exs. The forum trolls lose, guess I'll have to hit up the ex.

Seems like YOU are the troll here. We are all trying to help you, and you wont listen, and insult people like me who are trying to help you.

 

[RagingSamster]

h.264 handbraked from 720p to an m4v looks stunning at 800pix width - even on my projector at home (100" screen) it's very watchable, on the EVO though it is incredibly crisp and is a great way to "wow" people - pixar films are especially good at this (Incredibles is incredible, Kung Fu Panda will kick you in the eyeballs!)