I have a Rockchip player on which I have yet to be able to get videos working. I'm getting a bit frustrated with it.

I tried to AVI Converter 4.00 tool and it either gives me format error messages, or it closes down completely after giving me a "mencoder needs to be closed, sorry for the problem" message (a Windows error message). I tried converting an MPEG 1 file and it did not do anything at all, no error messages, but the progress bar didn't move. I am not sure why it did nothing.

First, I think I will try another converter. However, I also have a question about native AVIs.

I downloaded a public-domain movie last night, which is a native AVI file. I have a 2.4" screen and know the settings I'm supposed to use. So if the file's an AVI already, would I still need to run it through the converter, so my player can actually use it?

You need to convert due to several reasons:
1. Rockchip uses MP2 instead of MP3
2. Rockchip uses xvid instead of divx
3. Resolution that you already know 320x240
4. Frame rate which can't be above of range your player accept. Try starting with 20 fps
5. Your player could need video rotated then you need a special version of AVIConverter
The best start is when your player comes with a example video. Analysing it the rest is piece of cake.

Hi,

Please read what I wrote about Rockchip movie making here:

http://www.mympxplayer.org/cannot-play-videos-on-mp4-rockchip-player-vt6733.html?highlight=xilisoft

Also, if you're using AVIconverter, it might help if you actually type .avi at the end of your movie names. e.g. it tries to create a film, let's say, called 'Movie' but the rockchip won't recognise it unless it's called 'movie.avi'

good luck!

Thanks, guys.

Since my computer's CD drive is broken, my son has allowed me to use his computer to download the MP4 tools that came with my player. It's an earlier version of the software; 3.0 as opposed to 4.0, which doesn't work at all. The good news is, it seems to be converting my movie now. It's at 60% progress.

Also, I'm trying to convert the same movie using the ViDrop open-sourced software on yet another computer. That seems to be working as well-- at least it is converting the movie-- not sure if the result will actually work on the player though.

I'll report back with my success, or lack thereof. I am determined to get videos working on my MP4 player!

Daremos,

Thanks very much for your great explanation on why native AVIs need to be converted in order to play on MP4 players!

Well... no luck.

Both of the converted movies gave me the same "WARNING! File format error" message when I put them on my player. This, even though I used the conversion utilities that were on the disk that came with my player.

If I knew for sure that the Xilisoft program would make this thing work, I would pay for it, but given my track record of absolutely no success thus far, I'm at a loss as to why I cannot seem to get ANY video to play on my player.

Are u talking of playing videos in ur Optimus Magnum?
That's my old rockchip player
Then ur screen is 2.2"
so:

Video resolution 224x176 with 20 fps
Video codec: xvid
Audio codec: mp2
Audio bitrate: 128 but can be 192
Sample rate: 44.1k can be 48k

I bet u r trying 2 use 320x240

Yeah, because that resolution is what is advertised for my player!

I did find out by trial and error that I can play some of the sample clips I downloaded off this site at 224x176, but I still can't get my player to accept my movie when I convert it to that resolution. I'm trying yet another converter to see if I can get my movie working with the different resolution.

One thing I know for sure is that my computer does NOT like AVI Converter 4.0. Every time I try to convert anything, no matter what the resolution, the program shuts down.

Then use Xilisoft... remember 224x176

I'll give Xilisoft a try. I guess they offer a trial, so I should be able to tell if this converter will work or not by that time.

Hi Buzzygirl,

Xilisoft do offer a free trial on their dvd2mp4 converter ( found here http://www.xilisoft.com/dvd-to-mp4-suite.html )

The trial is fully functional, apart from it'll only allow you to convert the first 5 minutes of a movie.

Therefore, you should not need to buy it, until you have had success with the trial.

For me, it's been the perfect partner for both my 224x176 players, and my 320x240 players.

It'll put subtitles in (if you want), it can convert directly from a DVD (even many originals), and you can decide if you want to end up with one long movie, or chunks of your own prefered size ( I like 30 mins, as this is not too much to fast forward thru'!).

Please give the trial a try, using these settings:

For the 2" (and 2.2") players (224x176) :

First, select 'XviD' as the Profile.

For Video Size, manually type "224x176" - on my version (4.0.83 build 0178) this size doesn't appear in the drop-down, but manually typing it as I have shown here, works. You must not put any spaces between the 224, the x and the 176. i.e. just put 224x176

Bit Rate - I have found that 512 works 100%.

Frame Rate - at 20FPS, the sound and video remain in sync. Higher FPS ratings result in a slightly smoother video, but the sound lags behind.

Aspect - Auto

Same Quality - False

Audio Codec - MP2 - Important Note! Although Rockchip players handle MP3 Music fantastically, the video audio must be encoded as MP2 it seems. Xilisost are one of the only ppl who realise this!!

Bit Rate - 128 works for me everytime.

Sample Rate - 44100 - ditto!

Channels - Stereo

Disable Audio - False


For the 2.4" Rockchip players, do exactly as above, but select a video size of "320x240"

I think this should work, and please let us know how you get on !!

I will try Xilisoft. So far, I haven't been able to get ANYTHING to work. I know my player will play videos, as I've put some of the converter clips on it from this site, but I have not been able to get a simple .avi file converted. This shouldn't be that hard, should it?

If I can't get Xilisoft to work, perhaps I could send this file to someone and maybe see if they have any luck at getting it to convert?

FINALLY!

Xilisoft did the trick. I now have a working movie on my player-- well, at least the first five minutes of a working movie. Evidently, my player has some very particular settings that must be specified in the conversion software. My video works when I put in the exact parameters as listed above, but it seems illogical that the software that came with the player would not convert videos to put on the player.

Thanks for your help, all... I need to check out the Xilisoft website and choose a suite to buy. All I really need is the video conversion software, nothing else.

One more post on my video conversion adventure. I worked with viDrop a bit more to get the settings I need for my player. I was happy to see that viDrop will allow you to save many different profiles for video conversion for more than one type of player. I attempted to convert the movie again and YES!, it works!

viDrop is very simple to use; I just had to make a few more changes to the settings. So I got a working converter and did not have to pay anything, although Xilisoft sure does a lot. I am sure it's worth the money paid, but I'm a thrifty sort of person, so I'll always try to work with the cheaper solutions first.

Now, on to putting movies on my player. I'll write a little review on my Rockchip player shortly.