Need H264

[Halloween Jack]

Hi there I've sent an iphone movie to me sister via email.

They've having trouble opening it there. They have tried QT player and their default player, WMP I guess.

I'm assuming they don't have the H.624 codec. Thought it came with QT but can't think what else it might be. They're not very good with computers so it's hard to diagnose the problem. Apparently a smiley face pops up when they try to play it????

Anyway, anything else it might be do you think?

And how can I send them H264? I've looked online but can only find little transcode progs and I can't tell if the sites are dodgy or not.

[Watcher]

Originally Posted by Halloween Jack

Hi there I've sent an iphone movie to me sister via email.

They've having trouble opening it there. They have tried QT player and their default player, WMP I guess.

I'm assuming they don't have the H.624 codec. Thought it came with QT but can't think what else it might be. They're not very good with computers so it's hard to diagnose the problem. Apparently a smiley face pops up when they try to play it????

Anyway, anything else it might be do you think?

And how can I send them H264? I've looked online but can only find little transcode progs and I can't tell if the sites are dodgy or not.

VLC will play any file that you throw at it.

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-windows.html

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

[INSTG8R]

iPhone uses mp4 by default.

[thatguy91]

mp4 is a container format (easiest description is that it combines and syncs the video, audio, and subtitle streams). h264 is a video format and can exist in different containers such as mkv, mp4, avi (avi does support h264, but not AAC audio) etc.

http://forum.doom9.org is probably the best place to go for info. For the actual encoder, the best is x264 which is autoupdated at www.x264.nl (currently at build 2208).

No surprise, but the best way to encode is not the easiest for those that don't know, and does require the manual updating of individual components. As far as ready made program is concerned, try handbrake (http://handbrake.fr).

[Halloween Jack]

Thanks guys,

It's definitely H264 I can see it in it's properties.

Much as I love VLC, I use it for everything, as I remember it it downloads other stuff with it and takes over a bit... possibly a bit alarming for someone who doesn't know which boxes to tick.

I imagined that just downloading the codec would allow QTP or other media players to handle it. I think everything plays MPG4s as a file format, they just require the codec?

Thatguy, is that just the codec then? not an actual program? So I guess I just have to work out a way of finding if they are 32bit or 64bit, then download and send them the right one.

How's that sound?

Cheers

[Finchwizard]

VLC has never downloaded "Other Stuff" with it.

It's always been self contained and has never contained any additional software or toolbars or anything else.

Quicktime should play it fine unless they have a very old version.

Media Player Classic is another alternative.

Otherwise a basic codec pack like KLite Codec pack or something would also work.

[mezball]

You might want to check this codec pack. Been using it for a while now. It is easy to install, and uses your default player.

http://www.windows7codecs.com/

[Halloween Jack]

OK thanks for the tips guys. I haven't heard back from them but at least I have a few plan Bs now (or C,D?)

Yes, I remember now, when I thought VLC downloaded other programs, I think it was when I was setting up a laptop... and I think I used a bad link. It started trying to put other programs on, I thought something was up and googled again and found the official site.

Something like that, my memory's not what it used to be.

Anyway, good to know it's a contained download.

Cheers

[Halloween Jack]

Ah, just heard from them.

They successfully downloaded VLC and watched the vid.

Thanks for the help