How do you render for Apple TV

Rich Parry wrote on 6/3/2009, 9:26 PM

Am using Vegas Pro 9 and unable to render video for Apple TV in either of the formats ATV supports (1280x720x24 or 960x540x29.97). I have tried both Sony and MainConcept codec “Types” and used Custom Templates to specify resolution.

The Sony Type rendered file is unloadable by the Apple TV. The MainConcept Type rendered file is loaded by the Apple TV, but is horribly distorted (HUGE pixels). I have also gone through a few dozen other rendering parameter combinations without success.

I noticed there was a discussion on this topic Jan 4, 2009 in this forum, but no definitive solution was provided. Folks suggested using intermediate steps like using QuickTime Pro. Seemed like a sloppy solution, I hope V9 had a clean solution.

Thanks in advance for any help.
Rich

Comments

Spot|DSE wrote on 6/3/2009, 9:51 PM

I did a class on this subject at NAB, and showed several high motion clips, all at 720p24 or 540/p30.
Used the Main Concept rendering engine @ 5Mbps
Very similar to what we upload to Vimeo.

What bitrate? Motion types? Are you reducing saturation?
Is it titles or what that are looking bad? What is the source?

Rich Parry wrote on 6/4/2009, 8:48 PM

Spot, thanks for your reply. By changing the bitrate (max and avg) as you suggested, I successfully created a 720px24 Apple TV compatible file. I’ll try a 540px30 version later.

You suggested reducing saturation, I assume you are suggesting using the “vectorscope” to monitor and if necessary reduce saturation?

Does your Vegas 8 book discuss the Apple TV and give example of HOW TO RENDER FOR ATV? Is your NAB ATV talk freely available?

In case my content matters, the video is a very simple photography slideshow with music (i.e., Ken Burns)

Here are parameters used for rendering in case you wished to review, note I am using VBR rather than CBR.
• TYPE: MainConcept AVC/AAC
• TEMPLATE: Started with Apple iPod 640x480 and then customized as follows
• WIDTH: 1280
• HEIGHT: 720
• PROFILE: Main
• FRAME RATE: 24.000 (Film)
• CHECKED BOX: Allow source to adjust frame rate
• FIELD ORDER: None (progressive scan)
• PIXEL ASPECT RATIO: 1.0000
• NUMBER OF REFERENCE FRAMES: 2
• VARIABLE BIT RATE
• MAX: 10Mbps
• AVG: 5Mbps

Spot|DSE wrote on 6/5/2009, 8:46 AM

Rich,
I reduce saturation for multiple reasons.
-smaller resolution tends to give appearance of oversaturation.
-less saturation/crushed blacks are much easier on the encoder.
-A lot of displays seem to have cranked saturation anyway.

I don't use the scope, we just reduce by 10-15%. No mathematical justification for it, just a more clean encode.
The Vegas 8 (and in process Vegas 9) book doesn't deal specifically with Apple TV, no.