Advice on video format for iPad only app

Solar2D General Questions/Discussion
#1

I am creating a newspaper type app that will include content feeds from a remote server.

One of the content types will be video and the client has asked me what format to supply the video in. Not having done any video work or indeed displayed any video within an app, I am not sure what the best format is.

Would therefore appreciate advice on what format to ask for. I did notice someone mentioned mp4 in a thread but not sure if this is the most appropriate format.

Thanks [import]uid: 7863 topic_id: 24113 reply_id: 324113[/import]

#2

h264 is one of the best formats for the iPad. It is mp4. BUT it is not a “free” codec. If you want to use it commercially you need a license.
If you make the videos you use freely viewable then there is no problem. The moment people need to pay for the content you would need a licence.
This is part of the whole HTML5 debate.
To be sure you should read the license agreement for H264. The quality is really good though.

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#3

Thanks T.alberga

This app is not going to be launched via the app store but is to be released just to a specific number of users. Not sure how this will affect the licensing costs but I will look into it.

Many thanks for the advice [import]uid: 7863 topic_id: 24113 reply_id: 97311[/import]

#4

I am surprised.
Does that mean that every developer who sells his game or book has to struggle with cryptic license procedures and has to pay a fee for using a short video?
I have read the license agreement, but i find no real answer.
O.k, under 12 minutes it seemes to be free (streaming only?), but do you also need paperwork for this?
Or, can you use another video format in your Corona-based Ipad app?
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#5

@cyberfilm And that is why lawyers are rich. I haven’t looked at other types yet, but some QuickTime formats should work like mpeg2 which is old and doesn’t look nearly as nice and bad compression. Best to look at the supported formats page for video on the apple iOs site.

I don’t know the finer details on h264 I just know that it is a small pitfall. I just use the format for free videos. I just tell my students that h264 has that drawback.

Also using QuickTime might not work with android. [import]uid: 100901 topic_id: 24113 reply_id: 97458[/import]