Bill is right that m4v is just a silly extension invented by apple, and the files are just the same as .mp4's.
However you should not rename .mp4's and .m4v's to .mov. And you should not rename .mov files to .mp4 or m4v. You can rename .m4v files to .mp4, and .mp4 files to .m4v, because they are the same thing, the structure of the files is the same. As for encoding speeds, h264 is certainly more demanding than older mpeg4. THere can be quite a difference between the speeds of different encoders though, and quite a difference between PC and Mac ncoding times. Encoders that are using ffmpeg/x264 to do the h264 encoding should be fster than quicktime encoding, but its still pretty slow when Ive tried things like iSquint or ffmpegx on the mac. On Windows, Nero Recode seems much faster. It comes with Nero CD writing software bundle, or is available seperately as 'nero digital'. I believe a trial version is available. It can do older mpeg4 as well as h264. The problem right now is that Im not sure how to set it so that it creates ipod-compatible baseline h264. It might be possible and I just havent tried the right settings yet, or may have to wait for a newer version which would hopefully have an ipod profile option to make this easy. The resolution of your source footage, and whether you are doing 1 pass or 2 pass encoding will also affect encoding times. Cheers Steve of Elbows --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, "Bill Streeter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: So if you use that extension you could really be causing > more problems for your viewers. If you really want to give your ipod > compatible .mov files the .m4v extension then just change the file > name. It pretty much acomplishes the same thing. > > Bill Streeter > LO-FI SAINT LOUIS > www.lofistl.com > > --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, Harold Johnson > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > What do you all believe is the fastest video encoder? I'm trying > to encode > > a video podcast and videoblog (I suppose I should be using a > compressor for > > the videoblog), yet every tool I've tested takes an unbelievably > long time > > to encode. I'm talking *hours* to encode 5 minutes of webcam- > quality .mov > > files into .m4v for iPods. All except for Final Cut Pro HD, which > encodes > > in a reasonable amount of time; but I'm getting mixed results with > that. > > (One encode job turned out excellent; the next pauses during > playback.) > > > > I've been testing QuickTime Pro, Final Cut Pro HD, BTV Pro, and > Avid Free > > DV, and I'm about to test FFmpeg. I'm not restricted to any > particular > > operating system, so I'm interested in hearing your opinion of the > best > > video encoder for Mac, Windows, or Linux systems. > > > > Harold J. Johnson > > Something That Happened > > http://somethingthathappened.com > > > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get Bzzzy! (real tools to help you find a job). Welcome to the Sweet Life. http://us.click.yahoo.com/KIlPFB/vlQLAA/TtwFAA/lBLqlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/videoblogging/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
