07-13-2012, 03:31 AM | #1 |
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Why is the iPad so restrictive?
I have a Wi-Drive. It comes with an App. I have installed 2 or 3 Apps that claim to play various video formats but when I tap on a video (avi) and "open in" none of these Apps came up as options....
Whose fault is this? The Wi-Drive App or the video Apps? |
07-13-2012, 03:41 AM | #2 |
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You say that the apps "claim to play various video formats", but do those "various formats" include the specific video and audio codecs that your files are using?
Simple answer: it's the app. There's no reason an iPad can't play an AVI file, but the app developer has to include the right codec support. iPad video is generally MPEG4/H264, rather than AVI. |
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07-13-2012, 05:57 AM | #3 |
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The app, defenitely.
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07-13-2012, 06:20 AM | #4 | |
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If it can work as a server, then you can use a video app like OPlayerHD, which can access and download from servers. |
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07-13-2012, 08:28 AM | #5 |
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When it comes to the ipad, the processor in the device is rather limited. The ipad is passively cooled, and battery driven, so the processor must be underclocked to save energy and keep it from burning up.
Video decoding is therefore usually done by the video card, and not done by software. The hardware decoding is limited to a few formats [1], but any format can be decoded in software if the developer adds support for it. But because of the limited hardware and limited memory not all formats can be decoded in real time, e.g. high definition video: some formats are simply too demanding to decode by software. [1] http://www.ipadintouch.com/the-compl...-video-format/ |
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07-13-2012, 08:31 AM | #6 |
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Thanks - I didn't know that. The explains why pretty much all iPad video is MPEG4 or H264.
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07-13-2012, 09:41 AM | #7 |
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2 video players with the formats they claim to play....
playable - avi, xvid, mov, mp4 & flv Video Stream - mp4, mov, avi, mkv, divx, xvid, flv, wmv, 3gp Yes, the Wi-Drive has its' own App which IS loaded and running. The Wi-drive too is powered up and connected thru WiFi. Click on an avi and "Open in" and neither "playable" nor "Video Stream" is offered for selection. I've also tried with an "mkv" file, "video Stream" is again NOT offered to open in.... Both these players are free so anyone can check them out. Bit difficult to test if you don't have a Wi-Drive though I wouldn't swear to it but I don't think iTunes will sync with these players either. I've tried with "playable" passive AND active with no success. |
07-13-2012, 09:43 AM | #8 |
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I use an app call BuzzHD and it has played all formats I've thrown at it with the exception of some HD files I had (mkv format). They updated recently to say that these files could now be played but I've not tested since.
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07-13-2012, 09:49 AM | #9 | |
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Is there perhaps some way within the app of uploading files for it? |
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07-13-2012, 10:01 AM | #10 |
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No I haven't loaded the videos INTO the Apps concerned though I did try to "sync" with iTunes(I think?).
That is the claimed beauty of the Wi-Drive - you can store your files (movies, eBooks and Photos) on the Wi-Drive and stream to, up to, 3 iPads at the same time. It also works with eBooks and Photos Except it doesn't seem to quite work. (with avi and mkv)???? Works PERFECTLY with an "M4V" though which gives me hope with other formats |
07-13-2012, 10:11 AM | #11 | |
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I like your signature |
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07-13-2012, 10:14 AM | #12 |
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Sorry, it is Buzz Player HD - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/buzz-...389744550?mt=8
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07-13-2012, 10:15 AM | #13 |
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Someone here describes successfully doing what I suggested, running OPlayerHD, browsing to the WiDrive and downloading or streaming from there.
And someone here describes moving a file from the WiDrive to the iPad and then Open In'ing to OPlayerHD. So I would suggest that the fault lies with the video playing apps you have tried. |
07-13-2012, 10:26 AM | #14 | |
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It has 3 reviews and all bad At AUD$5.49 it is a bit expensive to "try out". Will check if it has a free "Lite" version to "try". |
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07-13-2012, 10:38 AM | #15 |
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Current rating is 3/5 (8 ratings) Seems that not everybody likes the latest version - but this does appear to be related to mkv files.
Average across all versions 3.5/5 (204 Ratings). Personally I've not had any problems with the app and I use it pretty much every day. Fair enough I tend to only play avi or mp4 files, but when I've played others, they have also worked. There may be some free apps also available, but I've never had cause to look! |
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