Sixxx, they're actually gonna be in mpeg2 format, if I understood correctly from when I talked to them. It won't be ready to play mp4 files for Serato AFAIK.

Well, the e-mail clearly says MPEG4 :P


... and sucks if you can't play them in Serato. Then, what's the point!!!!???

I hope that they are in fact SSL ready MPEG4 files. Fingers xed!

Promo Only to Start Offering Mpeg-4 in April

VDJ, unfortunately...haha. The next one I get will be in this format, so I guess I can report back on what it turns out to be. But I'd rather have a digital version of the least compressed file with proper tags...I can convert them when I sleep! :)

But either way it will save time in ripping those videos...just drag & drop.

www.scratchlive.net

Here is the previous post on this

Yeah. I usually convert my stuff when I sleep. But, less work for everyone. Keep the original away and start using the MPEG4 right away!

:)

Vobs preferably. Editing mp4's will lose quality. Both would be great, so for the ones you don't need to edit you can just drop to the crates.

my bad

www.scratchlive.net

thanks for redirecting people to this same thread. hahahaha

I'm still half a sleep brother. Should have previewed it before hand. Then 2nd one should work.

Having the choice between VOB or MPEG would be ideal I think.

Why would you want VOB Zach? Its essentially the same as MPEG, but with some chapter/menu info for a DVD...which we know is the devil! lol

Oh snap! Sorry. Your second post sneaked before my post. I guess you're not as sleepy as you thought you were. Fast on the trigger. :)

+1

ScreenPlay does that. They let you choose regular DVD's or MPEG's.

Well, I rather not have to choose. I rather get BOTH

scratchlive.net

I tried the ScreenPlay mpeg videos for a month and then switched back to standard DVD format. The mpg files have lower bitrate audio (384k vs 1536k LPCM in the standard DVD's) and the mpg's didn't play correctly with some of my software. Also, the filenaming wasn't very nice so I had to rename the all files anyway. The mpg data DVD's came in two disks (single layer) as opposed to just 1 dual layer for the standard DVD format. I have scripts to automatically generate the VSL ready mp4's so my preference is to go with the standard DVD's.

So.... you can have both if you pay for both!!!

Blah!

I think I rather just convert and do my own and save $300.00 per year. Fuck that.

depending on the encoding, the quality should be higher on the mp4. so even if you had to re-encode (or make an intro/remix), the source file is higher quality.

i'll probably just stick to ripping myself. sometimes, i don't like how they separate chapters for songs with long intros. and i don't wanna sacrifice quality and if i ever want to do my own edits, i'll have the raw top quality file at hand.

AAAAAh.... :) News to me... but like A-Swift always says... mp4 is already compressed so editing anything that's compressed is still not good.

i talked to them on the phone about encoding specs and all that and they said they'd have one of their tech guys send me an email, I'll post it here when I get it. I've never received promo only stuff, they don't have intros on their vids?

No intros on their vids... and thanks for emailing them.

We have had our techs guys and video guys talk to several software companies including Serato about tech specs, tagging, crate info and much more.
I think subscribers will be pleased.
Judging by my previous adventures on these boards you guys will never completely be happy with any video content unless its uncompressed HD, tagless with 128 beat intro and a personalized vocal drop from the artist. Hell, I'd like that too!
The chyrons and everything will still be there, but we are listening to your ideas and trying to implement them into our business plan. Hopefully we can agree to something somewhere in between what we can offer and what you want.

I could care less for intros... drops... and all these extra garbage. lol

I just want less work. Period. :P

A DJ or VDJ in this case, should be about mixing, not so much organizing and tagging, etc.

"The chyrons and everything will still be there"

well, that answers my question.

i'd like a cupholder

but sixxx you forget. VJs are not supposed to edit or change the videos otherwise we get turned in to Sony. BTW did you bring more beer this time?

cupholder? haha!

lol @ cupholder... and I always got the beer on check. :P

Scott, the new watermark is better than the old one. It just pops up and then disappears, much better.

We may be picky, but I'm glad you guys are listening to us.

That new watermark has been on their for several months. They made that change within 30 days I believe.

here's the email I received with specs:

I think this should answer any questions you may have... ;-)

* What is the resolution of DFF MPEG-4?
720x480, the same resolution as our DVD and MPEG-2 DFF product.
* What is the bitrate?
3 megabits per second (mbps). This is half the bitrate of
MPEG-2 and our DVD product on average, but is essentially
the same overall quality due to the advanced capabilities of
MPERG-4.
* How are they encoded?
While we aren't going to divulge exactly what software
applications we use, suffice to say it is a mix of
commercial and proprietary in-house applications.
What we can say is that the MPEG-4 is encoded at the
following specifications:
+ h.264 video codec
+ 3mbps video bitrate (mbps = megabits per second)
+ AAC audio codec
+ 384kbps audio bitrate (kbps = kilobits per second)
+ 29.97 fps (fps = frames per second)
* Are they deinterlaced?
Yes and this does introduce a slight "softness" to the
image; this is unavoidable but we have employed some
advanced technology to ensure the highest possible quality
to this process. Some users using traditional televisions or
other interlaced displays may find that the MPEG-2 DFF
product produces a better image. However the majority of
users will enjoy the quality that the progressive sources
provide for their displays.
* Does MPEG-4 have ID3 tags?
No. ID3 tags are typically used for MP3 files; instead we
use "atoms" which are compatible with iTunes and other
advanced players.
This metadata tagging includes the following fields:
+ Title [Mix]
+ Artist
+ Track Number ( Example: 1 of 38 )
+ Album ( Example: HV 4-09 )
+ Disc Number ( Example: 1 of 2 )
+ BPM
+ Media Kind ( Example: Music Video )
With the above metadata, dragging a DFF MPEG-4 file into
iTunes will automatically categorize it as a Music Video and
import all of the metadata into the library. The same will
be true from any "atom" compatible player.
* Does your MPEG-4 DFF work on an iPod?
Yes! All of our files are compatible with iPhone and iPod
Touch devices. It is entirely possible using the iPod/iPhone
video output cables to DJ directly from these devices using
our DFF MPEG-4 files. We strongly recommend using the Apple
Component output cables that include the USB cable for
charging while playing. Also, if you are using an iPhone,
disable the phone to ensure uninterrupted playback. ^_~
Due to the high bitrates we unfortunately cannot support
previous generation iPod video devices.
Our files should work on any modern video player that
supports "h.264, Level 3, baseline profile." Many users may
not know what this means so we encourage them to verify this
prior to purchasing any software.

Wow! :)

Is that even possible?

The specs sounds promising. Good stuff :)

I could be wrong, but I don't believe that these files will be ipod/iphone compatible as he says. Not if the video is h.264@3mbps. I believe the spec says 1.5mpbs is the max for h.264 video for ipod/iphone. Not that this really matters for Serato, but thought that I'd point that out.

So that's why some vids in my itunes will have a blue dot and some don't. I always have mine at 3Mbps and they never can be added to my iphone.

NIKW
Now I Know Why.

Nope, nevermind.

Glad you like the specs - we've been listening, tweaking and working for the best mpeg-4 files possible!

That is incorrect. I have high bitrate movies from iTunes music store that play fine on my iPod, AppleTV and iPhone.

I have taken some of our test files and they have worked fine on my 3G iPhone.

Using these files, I even have a 30 minute mix on the 3G, that way I have an emergency video mix just in case anything happens (power, board going out, drunk stripper!),

if there's a drunk stripper, playing video is the least of my concerns. :P

i stand corrected. i just copied over a 3mbps video to my iphone and it works fine. i know it didn't work on my old video ipod (already sold), but maybe a firmware update fixed that.

i used to have the swift mix on my phone! it looked really cool but i removed it because there was too much tempation to watch it when my meetings got mad boring.

I just tried my vegas encodes and they won't copy over.
HMMM

if your H.264 encode uses ANY incompatible features then obviously the file won't work. remember H.264 has dozens of options, optimizations, etc. you need to use only compatible features in your encode.

they are definately gonna get alot more subscribing to their shit

i wonder what they are gonna do with their urban series...
like with the urban power sets

I'm new to this VDJing or adding vids to my gigs. I'm using VSL 1.1 and thingking about going to PROMO ONLY for my vids. Just to be sure I read the treads correctly Promo only will be offering Vids in MPEG4 format!?! This will make them ready for VSL with no conversions nessary. I hope this is correct, I've heard a lot of positive things about Promo only and can't wait till APR.

takes all the fun out of what we've been doing the last year and a half...

Why no mention of this on the website? How to sign up for mp4 and not DVD, etc.

Isn't it susposed to officialy start in April?

if they only made intros id be all over it :D i don't like editing myself lol