Archos AV320 User Manual - Page 38

9 Creating MPEG4 Video Files How to create an MPEG4 video file Please understand that video re-encoding is not always a simple one button process. Video segments that come from your digital camcorder or which are freely available on the Internet are encoded in many different ways. If not already in the proper MPEG4 Simple Profile format, transforming these videos into this format readable by the AV300 requires use of the below mentioned software tools. This is due to the relatively new nature of the ISO (International Standards Organization) MPEG4 video format. Unlike its predecessors MPEG1 and MPEG2, there are a number of levels in this format and thus not all MPEG4 video files will work on all MPEG4 players, and older MPEG1 and MPEG2 files must be re-encoded into this format. Although you may have a bit of a learning curve in the initial re-encoding of video files, once you have the process down, it is just a matter of letting your PC or Mac go to work and create video files for playing on your AV300. Another, much simpler method to create MPEG4 videos, is to use the Archos DVR 100 optional add-on as shown to the left. It is a device that clicks into the expansion port of the AV300 and allows you to record a video source just like a video cassette recorder (VCR) by connecting a cable between your video source (TV/VCR) and the AV300. This method does not require any re-encoding or that you install the above mentioned software. See the instructions that come with the DVR 100 for an explanation on how to connect it and make recordings with it. ATTENTION: you should also take care to understand the copyright laws for your country and/or jurisdiction. Commercially produced video materials are typically copyright protected and your legal right to copy such material may be limited or restricted. Please see a law professional if you are unsure. PC Tools The AV320 is delivered with a CD-ROM that includes two PC based programs that allow you to create MP4 Simple Profile .AVI video files. They are the MP4 Translator and Virtual Dub™. The MP4 Translator will call the Virtual Dub program and give it the correct parameters to encode your video from its original format, .avi or .mpg (mpeg 1), and then encode it into a DivX™ based MP4 .AVI file. The file will be up to 640x368 pixels in resolution in order to be played back properly. Only MP4 files encoded with DivX™ or XviD can be played on the AV300. If the DivX™ codec is not on the included CD-ROM, please visit the web site of DivXNetworks, Inc (www.divx.com) to download version 4.0 or 5.0 of this codec. This is a free codec. This will allow your PC to create DivX™ type videos which play on your AV300. You will also need an MP3 audio codec (available freely on the Internet) in order to create the proper sound track for the movie. 38 Creating MPEG4 Video Files