How to convert avi to mp4 for iPhone with VLC
// November 10th, 2007 // iphone
I had some problems converting my avi (divx) torrents to a mp4 format for my iPhone. Googling for some answers I only came to crapy sites offering me paid software. Because I know it’s not that hard to convert a file I tried some things my self with the free VLC player. Here’s a guide how you convert your downloaded torrents to mp4 (suitable for iPod or iPhone):
1. Download VLC player.
2. Go to the streaming/exporting wizard.
3. Choose transcode/Save to file.
4. Choose your input stream.
5. Put the video codec on “MPEG-4 Video” and choose your bitrate (I recommend 512)
6. Put the audio codec on “MPEG-4 Audio” and choose your bitrate (I recommend 128)
7. Put the encapsulation format on MPEG 4 / MP4
8. Choose the name and location you want to save the file.
9. Click on finish, that’s all!
Now you can put your movies or series in iTunes and sync it with your iPhone. If you want to convert a DVD to your iPhone or any other device I suggest you use Handbrake.
Please note this is an outdated guide, I switched from iPhone to Blackberry a couple of months ago so it’s hard for me to give advice with newer software or update this guide. Readers make some good suggestions in the comments so please read them.
If you want to get movies on your iphone or ipod then you should check out http://www.phonevidz.net. They have many of the newest and hit movies out in mp4 format. All you have to do is download and upload it to your device. The movies are in perfect quality and smaller size to fit nicely on your iphone or ipod.
i cannot choose mpeg-4
I can’t choose an audio format as you wrote. I don’t have such format mpeg-4 audio – so I cant choose file format MPEG4 / MP4 when I choose output format. Should I install some additional soft (codecs to convert audio)?
hi, yup got d same problem as d rest there’s no mpeg-4 format for audio…wat shld we do?
this is not a very good guide/tutorial/reference. Look elsewhere.
Try downloading a previous version 0.9.10 that will work
Awesome dude! Worked like a charm. I had an MPEG movie file, but wanted to convert to mp4. Set the mpeg as the file to “convert” under the file menu choice, then hit convert to “mp4, [format], [format]…” and then went to the next screen, hit the button and bingo, got an mp4. VLC ROCKS!
Your suggestion led me there. Bless you! Merry _______ (holiday of your choice here)
I can’t even find transcode/save to file!!!!!
oooh, i just dont get it!!!!!
The link
http://www.phonevidz.net.
is just a cheap commercial website to trick you into signing up for charges (for example: cell phone downloads).
Stay away.
Excellent article, thanks very much! It would be nice if the iPhone supported avi files. Or there was a VLC player app for the iPhone.
There is a VLC but it is a very poor port. To play AVI files, there is MPlayer and YXFlash. I would recommend the latter, but it cost bucks (unless you get it cracked). MPlayer, on the other hand, is free and can also play AVI files.
This instruction is for an older VLC. The new one is almost similar:
1. Go to Media–>Convert/Save–>Click Add
2. Select the movie file
3. click convert/Save on the bottom
4. Choose your destination folder and the name for the movie in “Destination file:”
5. Use drop down menu and choose the format you want to convert. For IPODs/Iphones, I use Video MPEG-4 +ACC, however I think you can use the video-h.264+ACC (TS) ..not sure
6. You can further define the setting in by clicking on the “tools” button which is right next to the format. That ‘s where you can change the sound and codec stated in the original blog. I just left it alone
7. Click Start and Voila! Hope this helps!
In 0.8.6b of VLC, just fire up the wizard from the File menu and select the file, parameters and output and it does it.
4. Choose your destination folder and the name for the movie in “Destination file:”
There is NO WHERE on the screen that lets you choose a file name. after i choose the mpeg options etc, all it says is SAVE. you dont get to choose where or what folder to save it to. and it doesnt convert. how do i thne get it into itunes?
John you are a wanker!!! Do not go to phonevids.com.
Well, all steps posted by Jason look good for VLC v1.0.5, but when I click start i got the following message:
Streaming / Transcoding failed:
VLC could not open the encoder.
Any Idea?
I got the same error as Luis
I also played around abit with the settings and ended up with a MPEG-4 version of the video I was converting but it refuses to play in itunes meaning I can’t sync it onto my iPod.
Help pls?
Yes, I tried this method before, but got errors. Now I am using a paid software. I must say, it’s worth it. Hey, guys, why not give it a try. You may download at: http://www.video-dvd-converter.net/video-converter/index.html
This worked perfectly for me w/ VLC 0.8.6a. Thank you.
Any thoughts on the message???
Streaming / Transcoding failed:
VLC could not open the encoder
What encoder is it looking for? Do you have to install a seperate MP4 encoder. Where’s the fun in that?
FYI, this doesn’t work with current versions of VLC http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=64971
Works perfectly – thank you. So Easy!
It appears to be working for me! It’s not finished yet, but the file is being created. I’m using the latest version of VLC on Windows as of 4/29/2010, which is 1.0.5 Goldeneye. Click Media–>Streaming…, and it’s pretty easy to figure out from there.
Works perfectly on VLC 0.9.9a Grushenko on Mac Snow Leopard!
I end up with a .ps file and not a mp4 file.
I have tried with both VLC 0.9.9 and 1.0.5. same result.
Anyone knows why?
this works, don’t be fooled into buying expensive software by these other jokers, keep it vlc
(I end up with a .ps file and not a mp4 file.) please give the file name with extension like abc.mp4 as file name when u save in the destination
Worked perfectly for me!
Hi Pieter,
Thanks for your post. Use handbrake it is free, opensource and the best currently available for converting videos to MP4 for the iphone.ipod,ipad. Have been using it for years. Available for windows, mac and linux.
http://handbrake.fr/
(Please add this as an update to your post if possible. )
Hi,
I use another tool, Convert-tune. It converts audio and video files to different formats. The tool also has free CD Ripper and free CD Burner. It runs on Windows 2003, XP, 7, Vista and adds ID3 tags.
Goldeneye version for Mac did not work the above instructions with my MacBook. Downloaded the 1.1 version – 64 bit (called the Luggage) and worked perfectly. Hope this helps someone.
These instructions are awesome! To the people who are having probs with some of the options, when you download VLC u need to run a software update to get the latest version then all the options will be there. This is so simple. Thanks heaps for the great advice!
Fraid I get the error below. I’m on the Luggage, but all I get is an MP4 audio file:
avcodec error: cannot open encoder
main debug: no encoder module matching “any” could be loaded
main debug: TIMER module_need() : 30.591 ms – Total 30.591 ms / 1 intvls (Avg 30.591 ms)
stream_out_transcode error: cannot find video encoder (module:any fourcc:mp4v)
avcodec debug: ffmpeg codec (MPEG-4 Video) stopped
main debug: removing module “avcodec”
Sorry mate. Solution is simple not working.
got it converted but there is no sound when played through the iphone 4. can anyone help?
Most opensource softare is just benefit from free. On the other hand, it is difficult to use for beginner, lack support and weak stability. HandBrake attend technology and ignore user experience. I consider the aimersoft is better than it.
http://www.1click-soft.com/video-converter.html
This approach (which calls VLC via a .bat file) seems to be working for me …
http://babrodtk.at.ifi.uio.no/Research/IpadTricks