My Guide to Converting your Avi/Divx/MKV's for iPad in 5 minutes for free.

NewBeetle · 06-07-2010, 9:18 AM

Not sure if like me, you have lots of your video files saved to your main computer in formats like MKV and AVi etc. As you probably realise by now, the iPad or more to the point iTunes will not allow these to be synced from your computer. I know there are ways of watching them using various programs to stream etc but the convenience of having the actual file on the iPad is what most people want.

Lots of people seem to be converting the movie files into MP4 using handbrake and various other applications, which works but takes a long time. I found out that the iPad can play nearly all video formats and the problem is the audio not being in AAC.

So all this method does is copy the original video and change the audio to AAC and finally wrap the whole lot in an MP4 container that can be synced and played straight the iPad.

Using my iMac (2.4 C2D) it took 5m26s to convert Hurt Locker full movie.

The Guide

Step 1:

Download Avidemux (linux/windows/OS X) for free from here and install:

Avidemux - Downloads

Step 2:

Run Avidemux, press file then open and browse to the movie you want to convert for playback on your iPad. Avidemux will ask if you want to unpack it, choose Yes. This will take 20-30 seconds.

Step 3:

Change the Format to MP4, Change the Audio to AAC (Faac) and finally the Video option to Copy, as shown on screengrab above.

Step 4:

Choose File then Save then finally Save Video. You will then be asked where to save the video file. Personally for convenience I save to desktop. (Remember to name the movie with .MP4 as its extension)

Step 5:

Click Save and the software will do its thing, once its encoded the movie (4-7 minutes for a full length AVi) the resulting video can just be dragged into itunes and then synced with your iPad

NewBeetle · 06-07-2010, 9:53 AM

I've done countless AVi and DIVx files successfully using this method, but I am not to sure about MKV's. Its not a format I use and only have one demo MKV I just downloaded to try and it brought up errors. Can some please try an MKV and report back with your findings?

Lancia34 · 06-07-2010, 10:11 AM

Have either of you tried OPlayer which can play divx, mpeg, mkv natively?
Have been testing it and it's pretty good - does streaming as well (although streaming and converting HD files over wi-fi isn't exactly smooth but you have an option to copy locally)

NewBeetle · 06-07-2010, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancia34

Have either of you tried OPlayer which can play divx, mpeg, mkv natively?
Have been testing it and it's pretty good - does streaming as well (although streaming and converting HD files over wi-fi isn't exactly smooth but you have an option to copy locally)

How do you sync the file with your ipad?

NewBeetle · 06-07-2010, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancia34

Have either of you tried OPlayer which can play divx, mpeg, mkv natively?
Have been testing it and it's pretty good - does streaming as well (although streaming and converting HD files over wi-fi isn't exactly smooth but you have an option to copy locally)

Just tried it, way to much messing about for me. Why bother when the method in this guide is fast and easy?

Lancia34 · 06-07-2010, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewBeetle

Just tried it, way to much messing about for me. Why bother when the method in this guide is fast and easy?

Really? I found it easier than anything else I've tried because I didn't need to convert anything, just browse to a share (or Twonky on my NAS) and play the file direct, or copy it over to the iPad with one click.

I agree it's not laid out the best but I know the developer is updating it quite often to improve it and it'd the only app I've found so far that plays divx etc... natively and without stutter.

The reason I don't want to convert is because I have over 2000 video files (TV & movies) so don't want to go converting them all and having to keep duplicates of everything (the originals I stream to my PS3s).

peterjcat · 06-07-2010, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewBeetle

I've done countless AVi and DIVx files successfully using this method, but I am not to sure about MKV's. Its not a format I use and only have one demo MKV I just downloaded to try and it brought up errors. Can some please try an MKV and report back with your findings?

MKVs have worked fine for me -- better than AVIs in fact, as most modern MKVs seem to use the right kind of H.264.

NewBeetle · 06-07-2010, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancia34

Really? I found it easier than anything else I've tried because I didn't need to convert anything, just browse to a share (or Twonky on my NAS) and play the file direct, or copy it over to the iPad with one click.

I agree it's not laid out the best but I know the developer is updating it quite often to improve it and it'd the only app I've found so far that plays divx etc... natively and without stutter.

The reason I don't want to convert is because I have over 2000 video files (TV & movies) so don't want to go converting them all and having to keep duplicates of everything (the originals I stream to my PS3s).

I think what I mean is the whole streaming thing, if I was watching at home on my network I would watch on the large screen (iMac or TV). For me the whole thing with movies on the iPad is when you're going to be away from home. Creating the MP4 using the method in this thread just seems the quickest and easiest way of getting the actual movie onto the ipad. I am also not one for hoarding movies. I watch once and with the exception of a select few they get deleted. I used to have an external drive with over 1000 movies on, but after thinking about it most were watch once kinda films that I would never go back to so it seemed kinda pointless just to store them because I could.

Lancia34 · 06-07-2010, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewBeetle

I think what I mean is the whole streaming thing, if I was watching at home on my network I would watch on the large screen (iMac or TV). For me the whole thing with movies on the iPad is when you're going to be away from home. Creating the MP4 using the method in this thread just seems the quickest and easiest way of getting the actual movie onto the ipad. I am also not one for hoarding movies. I watch once and with the exception of a select few they get deleted. I used to have an external drive with over 1000 movies on, but after thinking about it most were watch once kinda films that I would never go back to so it seemed kinda pointless just to store them because I could.

That's fair enough

Does look like a good method and a lot easier/quicker than actually converting the video, especially if it's not needed - hopefully will make people's lives a bit easier

NewBeetle · 06-07-2010, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancia34

That's fair enough

Does look like a good method and a lot easier/quicker than actually converting the video, especially if it's not needed - hopefully will make people's lives a bit easier

Yeah I mean, all those hours people spend converting the video when all they really needed was to convert the audio and repack as MP4. That was my reason for this guide. Hopefully it helps people out, as its already saved me hours and hours.

Nebbs · 06-07-2010, 10:56 AM

I'll give this a shot tonight, at the moment handbrake takes me roughly 2x-3x the length of the movie to convert..(pretty old spec laptop!

)

mudshark · 06-07-2010, 1:10 PM

cheers, I will have a go using this method when converting to my iphone. Usually I convert using Air Video.

linkster · 06-07-2010, 4:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancia34

Have either of you tried OPlayer which can play divx, mpeg, mkv natively?
Have been testing it and it's pretty good - does streaming as well (although streaming and converting HD files over wi-fi isn't exactly smooth but you have an option to copy locally)

I can't tell, does this need to have conversion software running on a PC or will it work with a NAS?

Lancia34 · 06-07-2010, 4:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linkster

I can't tell, does this need to have conversion software running on a PC or will it work with a NAS?

Doesn't need a PC running (unlike Airvideo). I just connect via it's (very basic) web browser to Twonky on my NAS and stream from there. It also gives you the option to copy the video file to the iPad to watch locally.

As I said, it's still in development and got some way to go but it does the job

http://www.avforums.com/forums/ipad/...-flv-ipad.html

mark1000 · 06-07-2010, 4:36 PM

Guys, i have just converted a file but i cant figure out how to get it on my ipad, sorry i'm new to all things apple.

Mark.

NewBeetle · 06-07-2010, 4:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark1000

Guys, i have just converted a file but i cant figure out how to get it on my ipad, sorry i'm new to all things apple.

Mark.

Open iTunes and drag into the movies section. Plug iPad in and click on the movies tab place a tick by your movie and click sync. If it won't drag into iTunes rename it with .mp4 on the end eg startrek.mp4

linkster · 06-07-2010, 5:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancia34

Doesn't need a PC running (unlike Airvideo). I just connect via it's (very basic) web browser to Twonky on my NAS and stream from there. It also gives you the option to copy the video file to the iPad to watch locally.

As I said, it's still in development and got some way to go but it does the job

http://www.avforums.com/forums/ipad/...-flv-ipad.html

will give it a go . Determined to find a solution to having all my media

in one place and not have to tiresomely synch any time j want something new, Plugplayer very disappointing

jay127 · 06-07-2010, 5:27 PM

Well I've downloaded this but it doesn't seem to transfer to my itunes so can't sync it to the ipad. Done it all as above, but no luck, anyone else having problems??

NewBeetle · 06-07-2010, 5:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay127

Well I've downloaded this but it doesn't seem to transfer to my itunes so can't sync it to the ipad. Done it all as above, but no luck, anyone else having problems??

Rename with .mp4 at the end of file name

Turb007 · 06-07-2010, 5:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay127

Well I've downloaded this but it doesn't seem to transfer to my itunes so can't sync it to the ipad. Done it all as above, but no luck, anyone else having problems??

These work fine in good reader

vernall · 06-07-2010, 6:54 PM

converted a avi file and it appeared as just a file on my desktop which wouldnt drag into itunes,changed the name to .mp4 and the picture changed to a mpg4 file,it dragged into itunes fine,but upon checking films/tv programmes and even music its not anywhere on there.....where is it and what am i doing wrong?

NewBeetle · 06-07-2010, 7:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vernall

converted a avi file and it appeared as just a file on my desktop which wouldnt drag into itunes,changed the name to .mp4 and the picture changed to a mpg4 file,it dragged into itunes fine,but upon checking films/tv programmes and even music its not anywhere on there.....where is it and what am i doing wrong?

have you tried starting to type then title into itunes search bar?

Your not looking in the movie/tv section that are already synced to your iPad?

vernall · 06-07-2010, 7:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewBeetle

have you tried starting to type then title into itunes search bar?

Your not looking in the movie/tv section that are already synced to your iPad?

tried searching and its not there,and no im not looking in my existing tv progs/movies

mark1000 · 06-07-2010, 8:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vernall

tried searching and its not there,and no im not looking in my existing tv progs/movies

I'm having the same problem, i renamed it to .mp4 and it shows as a quicktime icon and plays on my PC fine, but when i drag it into itunes i cant find it anywhere.

mark.

SeedyR · 06-07-2010, 8:40 PM

Is the video quality effected at all in the conversion process? i.e will they still be watchable on my plasma?

NewBeetle · 06-07-2010, 8:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeedyR

Is the video quality effected at all in the conversion process? i.e will they still be watchable on my plasma?

Not effected at all, it keeps the video the same just changes the sound format

jay127 · 06-07-2010, 8:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewBeetle

Rename with .mp4 at the end of file name

Oh yeah how stupid of me! Thanks works much better and quiker than handbrake!

mike_6480 · 06-07-2010, 8:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark1000

I'm having the same problem, i renamed it to .mp4 and it shows as a quicktime icon and plays on my PC fine, but when i drag it into itunes i cant find it anywhere.

mark.

I'm also having the same problem

NewBeetle · 06-07-2010, 9:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark1000

I'm having the same problem, i renamed it to .mp4 and it shows as a quicktime icon and plays on my PC fine, but when i drag it into itunes i cant find it anywhere.

mark.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_6480

I'm also having the same problem

I can't understand this. Its worked for like 12 films today for me, just as I described in the guide.

This is where I am dragging the finished files:

I can't think of anything else to suggest

NewBeetle · 06-07-2010, 9:03 PM

Just a thought, in preferences on iTunes you have got 'show movies' checked haven't you?