Quicktime Compression
> I want to compress sound files (80% voice) in two ways:
> 1) for real-time playback, so I'd accept a lossy compression format (all
> real-time formats are lossy aren't they?)
> 2) for storage, which can't be lossy.
>
> I have Quicktime Pro and its built-in compressors, and Stuffit Lite.
> What are the best choices, from what I have (don't want to spend more
> money), to achieve (1) and (2)?
Real-time formats need not be lossy. The basic problem with lossless methods applied to audio is the inherent variable compression, which complicates random access during audio playback. When Quicktime records both audio and video, the space for audio blocks is reserved 1-2 seconds ahead of time in the interleaved file, so again fixed compression is favored. So, most QuickTime codecs have fixed compression ratio, and are lossy.
Check out http://dakx.com/daxaif/ for my Mac shareware program for lossless compression. It's integrated with the other Quicktime codecs for conversion to lossy forms, although real-time playback of the lossless file takes much less CPU time than any lossy format!
These are also good audio sites:
http://www.hitsquad.com/
http://www.pure-mac.com/mp3.html
Why Do I Get this ErrorŠ
From: Paul@Hartunian.com (Paul Hartunian)Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc
Subject: Why do I get this error when I try to play .avi files?
Date: 08 Jun 2001 03:16:36 GMT
Message-id: <Paul-0706012322400001@ts033d41.par-nj.concentric.net>
Hi Folks,
I'm trying to play some video files in .avi format. I'm using QuickTime Player version 5.0. Whe I try to play the file I get the follwing message:
"You may experience problems playing this video track because the required compressor could not be found."
What does this mean and how do I solve the problem?
Thank you for the help!
*
From: "Steve W. Jackson" <steve.w.jackson@mindspring.com>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc
Subject: Re: Why do I get this error when I try to play .avi files?
Date: Thu, 07 Jun 2001 22:52:42 -0500
Message-id: <steve.w.jackson-104B10.22524207062001@nntp.mindspring.com>
It means that a "codec" required by the file isn't available on your Mac. A codec is, I believe, a "compressor-decompressor" for the file format in question. Many different codecs are available to Mac users with Quicktime that will handle the majority of AVI files (a Windows specific format), but the one I'm aware of that's most elusive is the i263 codec that (if I remember right) was supposed to be owned by Intel, and they never released a version for the Mac. Dig around at Apple's site for all available QT codecs -- search for "Indeo" and you'll find some stuff.
= Steve =
-- Steve W. Jackson, Montgomery, Alabama http://www.mindspring.com/~sjacksn/stevehome.html
*
From: kalleboo@yahoo.com (Karl B)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc
Subject: Re: Why do I get this error when I try to play .avi files?
Date: Sat, 9 Jun 2001 11:51:00 +0200
Message-id: <1eup07t.i747dwmzx0b0N%kalleboo@yahoo.com>
YM<J?Y<Ed%hY.~
Steve W. Jackson <steve.w.jackson@mindspring.com> wrote:
> but the one I'm aware of that's most elusive is the
> i263 codec
Don't forget "DivX ;-)" (variant of MPEG4, IIRC - and yes, the smiley is part of the name), that most warezers compress full movies in. For those files you need DivX Player.
-- Please don't cc via email! (My news service works fine!)
Mac OS X: Why 2001 won't be like "2001" See headers for Geek Code | ASCII White Ribbon (x) http://www.kalleboo.com/ | Campaign / \
*
From: Pajoh Lublewski <pajoh_lublewskizych@oyeah.yahoo.com>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc
Subject: Re: Why do I get this error when I try to play .avi files?
Date: Fri, 08 Jun 2001 18:00:06 -0700
Message-id: <pajoh_lublewskizych-8510AC.18000508062001@nntp.ix.netcom.com>
Steve is right, it's all about codecs.
However not only is the i263 codec not available in QT5, but also a new and very popular compression format - DivX. A lot of .avi files posted on the binary NG's are DivX because it offers pretty good quality for the size of the file. There is a DivX player available for the Mac, and the last I heard it was still beta. Try http://www.divx.com
I hope Apple do get a DivX codec because QT5 is the best video player out there, beating Windows Media Player easily
Pajoh
Digital Audio Macs
From: Greg Weston (gwestonREMOVE@CAPSattbi.com)Subject: Re: What's a "Digital Audio" Mac?
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Date: 2003-02-10 18:22:33 PST
In article <a8696178.0302101238.659b05a@posting.google.com>, Bunny <bbunny@myrealbox.com> wrote:
> What do they have that other Macs don't? Is that what "AV" is called nowadays?
The designation was to indicate that those machines lacked analog audio I/O capabilities. Check http://www.lowendmac.com/ for more details on how the models vary from each other. G
*
From: Bunny (bbunny@myrealbox.com)
Subject: Re: What's a "Digital Audio" Mac?
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Date: 2003-02-16 13:35:54 PST Greg Weston <gwestonREMOVE@CAPSattbi.com> wrote in message news:<100220032122225744%gwestonREMOVE@CAPSattbi.com>...
> The designation was to indicate that those machines lacked analog audio
> I/O capabilities.
You mean, it's a bad thing?
*
From: Greg Weston (gwestonREMOVE@CAPSattbi.com)
Subject: Re: What's a "Digital Audio" Mac?
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Date: 2003-02-17 12:20:33 PST
In article <a8696178.0302161335.67b79224@posting.google.com>, Bunny <bbunny@myrealbox.com> wrote:
> You mean, it's a bad thing?
Depends on your needs. It's a _different_ thing, certainly, and for certain groups of users it was bad (as is _any_ change short of "no longer spontaneously bursts into flame"). There are numerous enough after-market digital input and output devices that it's not really a liability and there also exist fairly inexpensive D/A conversion devices for those who have such a machine and need analog capabilities.
*
From: Jim Miller (jimmill@NOSPAMrcn.com)
Subject: Re: What's a "Digital Audio" Mac?
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Date: 2003-02-17 20:43:31 PST
Actually the "Digital Audio" G4s lack only analog INPUTS. There is an analog OUT headphone jack. Analog ins finally returned with the "Mirrored Drive Doors" G4s of July 2002.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58418
Miscellaneous
From: "G. A. Edgar" <edgar@math.ohio-state.edu.nospam>Subject: Re: uploading quicktime movies
Date: Sun, 28 May 2000 14:00:58 -0400
Message-id: <280520001400582359%edgar@math.ohio-state.edu.nospam>
In article <39311C49.4AF67EBA@nihongo.demon.co.uk>, Philip Ronan <philronan@nihongo.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> Thanks guys,
>
> I'm using QT 4 pro, but when I save files as "self-contained" it still adds
> resource forks for some reason. Maybe I need to check the quicktime
> preferences.
The resource forks on "self-contained" MooVs are not needed for playing. They are more for cosmetic purposes. One I just looked at has only 2 resources: a 'pnot' containing 12 bytes, and a PICT that is the preview picture.
***
Subject: Re: QuickTime
From: Russell Andavall andavall@pacbell.net
Date: Tue, Apr 4, 2000 10:43 AM
Message-id: <38EA298B.76267854@pacbell.net>
Douglas Holley wrote:
> I am using a G3 with OS8.1. I have upgraded to QuickTime 4.1 and QuickTime
> Movie Player 4.1. I also have all the Indeo Video extensions installed.
> Movie player will not show files that I download from the web. I can view
> them using my browser IE 5.0 with a Quicktime Plug-in.
>
> My previous version of Movie Player would play AVI files that I downloaded
> with no problem, but when I upgraded to QT 4.1 I deleted it.
>
> Can anyone give me some help in fixing this? Please email me direct if you
> can.
>
> Thanks
>
> Doug
Dear Doug:
This is getting to be a Frequently Asked Question here...
You need to install the extensions for AVI files in you extesions folder... AVI Indeo® Video5 Indeo® Video Intel Raw Video Windows Compressors
Yes, you need both the IndeoVideo and the IndeoVideo5 extensions to play all Windows AVI movies.
***
Subj: Re: Quicktime 4.0 Pro and Full screen video
Date: Monday, January 24, 2000 6:28:36 AM
From: benbird@softhome.net
Have a look at BTV:
http://www.btv.org.uk/
It is a video display application that will allow you to view full screen video from any video input device.
Hope this helps,
Ben
> Wil QT 4.0 Pro enable me to watch video from a TV/VCR source in a window the
> size of my screen, without degradation?
>
> Also, is there a CD source for QT 4? Perhaps: a recent MacAddict CD?
***
From: fredbillie@aol.com (FredBillie)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.apps
Date: 05 Jul 2001 11:02:14 GMT
Subject: Re: Why Quicktime 5?
Message-id: <20010705070214.10679.00002460@ng-fg1.aol.com>
>From: grapeape@aol.comjunk (GrapeApe)
>Date: Wed, Jul 4, 2001 7:59 PM
>Message-id: <20010704205905.10124.00004506@ng-md1.aol.com>
>
>I almost updated to quicktime 5, via an auto update, but I would have to
>repurchase my quicktime Pro key if I did.
>
>What are the benefits of Quicktime 5 over 4?
>
>What about Quicktime 5 over Quicktime Pro 4.12?
>
>What about Quicktime 5 pro over quicktime 4 pro?
I upgraded from Quicktime Pro 4.1.2 to Quictime 5.0. I can't speak to all the difference but have noticed two.
1. The VDCs I burn with 5.0 seem to be sharper and of higher resolution with less artifacts. 2. The translation to Quictime seems to be faster.
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