[MPlayer-users] Re: video format for GSM/GPRS/EDGE phones

[Ivan Kowalenko]

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On Apr 24, 2006, at 11.28, Reshat Sabiq wrote:

> Rakotomandimby Mihamina
> <mihamina.rakotomandimby <at> etu.univ-orleans.fr> writes:
>
>>
>> Hi,
>> I saw some cellular phones can read videos.
>> Would you know what format do they mostly read?
>>
> I think the most common format is sub-QCIF (176x144). I think the  
> most comment
> formats are .avi, and mpeg-2 (but maybe it's mpeg-4, instead of -2).

Way off. 3G (third generation) cell phones can play back videos. The  
container is 3GP, and generally used AMR audio codec and h.263 video  
codec. I think you have the resolution correct, however. At the  
moment, MEncoder doesn't seem to have support for 3GP output, so  
you'd have to find a remuxer.

The big problem is, however, how are you going to get these videos on  
to your phone? GSM and GPRS are pretty slow, though EDGE and EV-DO  
are better. But, we're talking about producing files that will be at  
least several hundred kilobytes in size, depending on length. Unless  
you've got an unlimited data package, you're probably getting charged  
10¢ per kilobyte. If you've got a 200 kilo file, that's in the realm  
of $20. Then there's the question as to "will my phone actually play  
this?" It's unknown what the maximum length of a file your phone will  
play.

Is it worth your time and money to convert a clip that may or may not  
work to absolutely horrible quality video and audio? You might want  
to consider investing in Bluetooth so you can transfer files without  
having to use the GPRS/EDGE data network. You might just be better  
off investing in a real PMP. PDAs are blurring that line at this  
point. Palm is selling several units that have a maximum screen  
resolution of about 320x320 (they have some as large as 320x480), run  
as fast as 300 MHz, have SD expansion slots (512 MB for $40 or  
less!), and with TCMCP, you can play AVIs, MPEGs, MP4s, and  
Matroskas! Depending on the clip and the PDA, you might not even need  
to convert it!
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