In 2005, Apple introduced their first portable device that could play video – the 5th generation iPod, which came equipped with a 320×240 color screen. Immediately after the release of the device, Apple began offering video content in their iTunes store, which prior to that only sold music. Apple dove deeper into the video realm by releasing Apple TV, and then later creating a device, which on top of being a touch screen cell phone, was the first to have wide screen video. The iPhone, with its 480×320 screen, is a spectacular gadget for watching videos on-the-go. This article will cover absolutely everything there is to know about video on the iPhone – where to get it, formats, converting, video apps, video hacks, video accessories, and more.
Formats
The iPhone plays video in the following formats: MPEG-4 and H.264 codec. Most video available on the internet (like the stuff you download) is most commonly in DivX, WMV, or QuickTime formats. Commercial DVDs are all in MPEG-2 format, while most video cameras are in uncompressed digital video format (DV) or MPEG-2. All the videos on iTunes are in H.264 format exclusively. While H.264 takes longer to encode than MPEG-4, it provides a better quality video (for an equally sized file).
Why MPEG-4/H.264 Codecs?
Some people may be under the impression that Apple chose these formats just to make life harder, forcing us to use converters and such to get video on the iPhone. Others think that it’s a ploy to drive more people to purchasing video from iTunes (since it’s the easiest and quickest way). However, that is completely wrong. Apple chose MPEG-4 and H.264 (which is just like an improved version of MPEG-4) for very good reasons:
- It’s an open and established standard
- It has a high quality to size ratio (better quality, less space occupied)
- It maximizes battery life (other formats…such as DivX…would drain the battery)
Background Info
As you probably know, most video that you deal with is not in iPod/iPhone format. Downloaded video, TV recordings, DVD recorders, video cameras, and everything else, produces video that needs to be converted in order to be compatible wit the iPhone and iPod Touch.
There are a ton of options out there when it comes to converting video. First of all, you need just a bit of background knowledge and a minor terminology lesson so you can understand what’s going on when you’re converting video.
Some common terms…
Resolution: The dimensions of the screen image, measured in the number of pixels. The iPhone’s resolution is 480×320.
Bit Rate: The amount of data encoded to make one second of video playback, measured in kbps (kilobits per second) or mbps (megabits per second). A higher resolution and bit rate result in what we call “high quality video”.
Frame Rate: A measure of how many frames (or distinct images, like photographs) pass per second in a video. This is simple to visualize since a video is nothing more than a collection of photographs passing by in a really fast slide show. Frame rate is measured in FPS (frames per second). All digital video (everything that is broadcast on TV and commonly referred to as NTSC) is in 30 fps, while all the filmed movies (what you see in a movie theater) are in 24fps.
Interestingly enough, the reason that we can now shrink down video file sizes is thanks to some geniuses that figured out that not every single frame needs to be encoded. Rather, there are reference frames, and only differences to the reference frame are “written in code”. For example, if you’re watching a video of a person running down the beach, not that much is changing in the background. The initial image is taken as the reference frame, and then only the pixel changes of the man’s motion appear in code.
Aspect Ratio: The ratio of an images width to its height, such as 4:3 or 16:9. Note that the aspect ratio is closely related to the resolution. A 640×480 video is 4:3, because 640/480 = 1.33, which is the same as 4:3. If a video’s aspect ratio doesn’t match the resolution, black bars are often added around the video.
All of these terms will be seen in every video converting tool, so it’s good to know what they mean. Don’t worry, while you can customize these settings, most times the programs will have everything preset for you.
Video Converting Tools:
Handbrake can convert your DVDs to a digital, iPhone friendly MPEG-4 format. It’s free, and works with both Mac and Windows. It’s the most commonly used application for converting DVDs to MP4.
iSquint can convert any file to MPEG-4 format and automatically add the resulting file to your iTunes library. It’s free, and is available for Mac OS X only. While the developers discontinued iSquint, it can still be downloaded.
Any Video Converter can convert virtually all file formats to MPEG-4. It’s free, and is available for Windows only.
Videora is a set of applications, each tailored for a specific handheld device, that convert video to the appropriate file format. It’s free, and for Windows only.
ConvertTube allows you to download YouTube videos directly to the computer, iPod, iPhone, or PSP. Simply enter the YouTube URL, select your device, and wait.
MPEG Streamclip is great for converting standard video formats to MP4. It’s free and available for Mac only.
For recording TV shows and converting them to various file formats, check out…
To convert home videos (recorded on your own camcorder), use the basic…
- iMovie (Mac)
- Windows Movie Maker (Windows)
Other DVD decryptors include…
Where To Get Video:
The easiest place to get videos for your iPhone is, of course, iTunes. Although you’ll be paying money, you’ll be saving hassle. Since the internet people almost always (read: absolutely always) prefer to get things free, you’ll have to be creative. There is a excellent site called OVGuide, the Online Video Guide, which can guide you to great places to download videos. You can also use your favorite torrent site…there’s a bunch out there.
iPhone Video Apps:
TV.com, a CBS app, offers a whole lot of clips and media. But what anyone really cares about is full episodes of TV shows, and it has lots of them.
Price: Free
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SlingPlayer Mobile lets you watch the TV shows and movies on your SlingBox from your iPhone, no matter where you are. In other words, if you own a Slingbox, you can watch anything from your TV on your iPhone or iPod Touch. You can even control the DVR. While the app required WiFi, there’s a hack to get it running on 3G.
Price: $29.99
While the application offers a ton of baseball stuff, one feature makes it worth the $10: You can watch live baseball games on your iPhone or iPod Touch. If you’re a baseball fan…enough said.
Price: $9.99
The famous celebrity gossip site’s iPhone app is pretty much a one stop shop for all the dirt. While they’ve got photos and stories, the videos are by far the best. It’s like watching TMZ without hearing their annoying intros.
Price: Free
Whenever you’re confused about how to go about getting a seemingly simple task done, this app can help. Whether you need some visual cues on how to tie a tie, or you’re just curious how to pick a lock, video manuals can be found on Howcast.
Price: Free
When you’re trying to serve drinks at a party, there’s nothing cool about having to go to the computer and print out a recipe, only to stand there looking like you’re the complete opposite of suave. With this app, you can choose a drink, watch a quick video, and shake it up. With a huge library of drinks, it’s worth 2 bucks.
Price: $1.99
This app offers WiFi streaming from over 200 live channels coming from all over the world. Sometimes it works great, other times there are connection issues…but we had success with it. A lot of new channels work only on the iPhone 3GS. Unfortunately, WiFi is required.
Price: $2.99
Television allows users to stream pre-recorded video from: CNN, CBS, FOX, AP, NBC, HBO, ESPN, CNBC, Comedy Central, VH1, Onion Network, College Humor TV, Digg.TV, Rocketboom, Make, YouTube, Movie trailers, G4, Slate, CNET, National Geographic, SKY, Reuters, and more. It’s a great app.
Price: $2.99
If you have an Orb compatible TV Tuner for your PC, then you can stream any video (or media in general) from your computer to your iPhone or iPod Touch. No syncing necessary, it’s all wireless. Find out more about Orb here.
Price: $9.99 (and free lite version)
Although obviously everyone already knows of YouTube, it wouldn’t be fair not to mention it. YouTube is by far the best video application for the Apple iPhone. The library of videos is so vast that you could probably watch it for the next 100 years…so while all these extra applications are great, keep YouTube in mind. Nothing can trump it.
Online Streaming:
Simply open up your iPhone’s mobile Safari browser, and go to iphone.akamai.com. The site streams video live from NASA TV, FoxBusiness, USA Today, NPR, Discovery Channel, MTV, Nickelodeon, NBC, and more. Learn more here.
Hollywood Pocket is great if you’re into classic movies. The app streams full (old) movies right to your iPhone. Learn more here.
iPhone Video Hacks and Apps for Jailbroken iPhones:
To use these applications you will first need to jailbreak your iPhone. Go here for a simple guide to jailbreaking your phone.
MX Tube is a simple (and awesome) application that allows users to save YouTube videos to their iPhone’s library for offline viewing. The app works flawlessly and is extremely popular in the jailbroken iPhone community.
iTransmogrify allows iPhone users to watch embedded Flash video content. Watch it in action:
- Hulu
There are plenty of rumors going around that Hulu is designing a native iPhone app. We can’t wait. For now, try this hack at your own risk:
1. Go here and download Hulu Video Downloader
2. Copy and paste the URL to any Hulu video
3. Choose a file format (.flv or .avi)
4. Use any video converter program to convert it to an iPhone friendly format
4. Put the video in iTunes, and sync it up!
Hulu Video Downloader does not allow you to instantly convert the Hulu video to an iPhone friendly format unless you upgrade to the pro version of Hulu Video Downloader, which costs money. So simply download it in .avi or .flv and convert it on your own…there’s plenty of tools above.
Note: Only for Windows.
- SlingPlayer over 3G
As mentioned above, SlingPlayer Mobile is only available via WiFi. Fortunately, there’s a jailbroken app that allows users to trick their iPhone into “thinking” the phone is on WiFi while it’s really on 3G. Here’s how to do it:
1. Launch Cydia from the SpringBoard 2. Go to “Manage” 3. Search “Tricker ThreeG” 4. Install the application. 5. Press “Confirm” 6. Use SlingPlayer over 3G
- Qik
Qik is an entirely different type of application – it allows you to broadcast video to the internet live from your iPhone. You don’t even need an iPhone 3GS. It’s quite amazing…go here to find out more, including how it works and how to get it.
Accessories:
- MyVu
MyVu allow you to watch video from your iPhone or iPod inside their patented MyVu “sunglasses”. The prices are all in the ballpark of $300. Find out more here.
- Joby’s Gorilla Mobile
This accessory allows you to prop up your iPhone on your table, or around any fixture you want. Not exactly necessary, but nevertheless, it’s very cool. Find out more here, and get it here.
- Factron iPhone Case
This is a bit ridiculous, but for the photographers out there who love their iPhones…this will make your mouth water. The case includes wide angle, closeup, and fisheye lenses that screw onto the back. This thing runs $200. Buy it here (no surprise, it’s Japanese).
- SEG Clip
This USB Antenna allows iPhoners in Japan to stream television live on their iPhones. Users simply plug the thing into their computers, download a companion app on their phones, and stream away. It’s basically like TiVo for your iPhone…all for $68. Of course, it’s only available in Japan.
- iCooly iPhone Stand
There are tons of iPhone “video stands” out there, that prop your iPhone up on the table in a very feng shui kind of way. While stands like this one may cost you a few bucks, there are also lots of DIY iPhone stands made out of things paper clips, business cards, and even a dollar bill.
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The iPhone, although it only has a 3.5 inch screen, is probably the #3 most commonly used device for watching video, following the television and the computer. So while it’s not your primary source of video, it’s still a very frequently used one…and when you’re on the go, it’s the only option. With the information provided above, you’ll be able to get the most out of your iPhone as a portable video player.
Please recommend some other iPhone video apps, hacks, accessories, or conversion tools that we failed to mention in the comments. Thanks!
Accessories & Apps: Beta Testers Wanted
iOS Firmware/IPSW Download Guide
Legacy iTunes Download Archive
App Store Top Charts
iPhone and Android Resale Value Charts
USA iPhone Carrier Plans Compared
Complete iPhone Jailbreaking Guide 
Complete iPhone Specification Matrix 
Wow… Lots of info here.
Save your life with an Electronic Cigarette
One thing I found early in IPhone ownership is that jail breakin your phone is the only way to go. Once jail broken, you can actually get the apps you WANT that Apple wont let you have otherwise!
I don’t know how many people are aware of it, but there’s an app on the App Store called AirVideo that can stream video from your computer over wi-fi to your iPhone or iPod Touch. It requires a server component which they provide on their site, but once that’s installed, it works really great.
The app just got upgraded to v2.0 and the new version can do *on-the-fly* conversion from other formats. I’ve tried it out on DivX, XVID, WMV and even MKV files and it works smoothly with all of them. Conversion is done on the server in near-real-time then streamed over (I think). It’s easily become one of my favorite iPhone apps. There’s even a free ad-supported version if you want to try before you buy.
Sorry if I sound like an infomercial for this app. I don’t work for them or anything like that. I just think it’s a great app that I love using and I’m surprised no one seems to be making a huge noise about it.
Awesome! Thanks
Absolutely amazing…This article contains a wealth of information. Thanks!
Does TV.com actually have content playable on an iPhone? All the full episodes I found say they need Flash. What am I missing?
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Sara
http://pianonotes.info
The Panasonic SC-BT300 Home Theater has a doc that lets you play video on you iPhone on a TV.
Kenwood makes a car stereo that includes an adapter which let’s you play video stored on your iPhone on the 7″ LCD screen of the car stereo. Http://www.kenwood.com
I like to use IOrgSoft iPhone Video Converter to convert videos to play on my iPhone. You can finish all steps within only a few clicks. You can even edit the dvd videos according to your need—-trim your favorite part of video, or merge several parts of videos into one file. Quite easy-to-use and powerful. If you are interested in it, you can visit here: http://www.softwarebbs.com/wiki/IOrgSoft_iPhone_Video_Converter