In Part 1 of this series we put aside the idea of ARM-based video editing based on the requirement for higher levels of CPU processing power and tight coupling of hardware and software. Two very interesting solutions have just appeared that could dovetail together as an ARM-based solution and possibly enable 720p video editing on-the-go. Even if you haven’t got an iPad2, some new software for the Nokia N8 will enable netbook-level H.264 editing.
Last week Apple launched the iPad2 and it turns out that it’s quite the performer in terms of rendering 720p videos through the iMovie application. Based on the measurements we can only assume it’s got a hardware H.264 encoder that iMovie is using to speed up the encoding process. Because of the CPU and GPU inprovements, the editing process looks smooth too. You won’t be able to do b-roll cutaways but I bet you’ll see that included in the next iMovie release for iOS.
This morning I’ve also learnt about a new camera application for the Nokia N8 which enables 480p H.264 recording and continuous auto-focus. As I write this I’m rendering a titled, cross-faded 480p video taken with the CameraPro N8 application in Windows Live Movie Maker. It was a smooth editing process which might surprise some of you because I’m using a netbook to do it.
Put the two together and, if iMovie can import and work with Nokia N8 videos (they are .mp4 files containing H.264 videos but there are some interesting advanced settings in the CameraPro app that can teak bitrates, codecs and sizes) then you might have the most flexible, ultra-mobile video camera, editing and posting solution yet. The iPad2 weighs 600gm (possibly 630gm for the 3G version) and the Nokia N8 weighs 135gm. That’s an amazing, seriously amazing sub 800gm, 1.7lbs and the total cost of both, with 3G, is under 1000 Euro. 720p-capable, 480p when on-the-go and direct posting to YouTube.
Ongoing and outstanding: Does the iPad2 import videos from the Nokia N8 and can iMovie work with the imported videos without conversion? One would need to connect the N8 via the camera connection kit either via USB or by removing the Micro-SD card, slotting it into an SD card adaptor. I’m waiting to have this confirmed. I’m hoping that this author has the answer soon.
Even if the Nokia N8 files don’t work with the iPad, it enables netbook usage which opens up the user to more software options. Windows Live Movie Maker can handle the 480p files without re-rendering for editing and output a 480p WMV file at a time ratio of 3.24 mins per minute of video rendered. For clips of 5 mins or less, as are many mobile videos, this is acceptable.
Here’s a 480p video posted directly from the N8 to YouTube via Pixelpipe. It was a 92MB upload and the bitrate was just over 3Mbps. It would make sense to try this at 2.5Mbps and via a service that posts direct to the YouTube API to cut down time and failure-points.
Obviously you should watch this in HQ and at full-frame size.
Here’s the same source video edited in Windows Live Movie Maker with titles and crossfades. The output format from Movie Maker is WMV which means there could be some degradation in quality as the file is converted back to H.264 at YouTube. Update: I see some frame-rate and smoothness issues. You too?
I used the Acer Aspire One 522 for this and the rendering time ratio was 3.24:1 (3 mins 15s per minute of video)
As a camera, the N8 just keeps on getting better and with developers continuing to write specialized apps for it you wonder why there aren’t many other good quality internet and app-enabled cameras around. It’s these sort of enhancements that just aren’t possible on closed-firmware dedicated cameras.
I plan to buy a 3G-enabled iPad2 when they become available here in Europe but I’m sure others are going to test out the N8/iPad2 combo beforehand. When they do, I’ll try and link the information in below. If you know of any articles or videos on the subject, please feel free to link them in the comments below (one URL per comment otherwise the comment is held for approval.)
Ultra Mobile Video Editing Part 3 – ARM Solutions with iPad2 and Nokia N8 http://www.umpcportal.com/?p=23451
RT @umpcportal: Ultra Mobile Video Editing Part 3 – ARM Solutions with iPad2 and Nokia N8 http://www.umpcportal.com/?p=23451
Ultra Mobile Video Editing Part 3 – ARM Solutions with iPad2 and …: In Part 1 of this series we put aside the … http://bit.ly/fiT9a2
Ultra Mobile Video Editing Part 3 – ARM Solutions with iPad2 and … http://bit.ly/fiT9a2 #video #editing #vt
Ultra Mobile Video Editing Part 3 – ARM Solutions with iPad2 and …: In Part 1 of this series we p… http://bit.ly/fiT9a2 #video #edit
RT @umpcportal: Ultra Mobile Video Editing Part 3 – ARM Solutions with iPad2 and Nokia N8 http://www.umpcportal.com/?p=23451
This is a bit off topic but how do you see the new crop of muliti processor phones helping in this same circumstance?
The new Motorola Atrix obviously doesn’t have the same camera specs as the Nokia N8 and I have no clue as to weather there is any software available to meet your needs but will the single brain, multi device options of an Atrix like experience be the future of mobile video blogging?
The scenario you have devised is essentially the same, phone does video, phone connects to laptop, laptop regurgitates content to internet, we then consume the content. Will future single brain , multi devices make the process seamless?
Yes. “you wonder why there aren’t many other good quality internet and app-enabled cameras around”
I suggested yesterday that Apple could make an iCamera
Digital photography is in need of a shake-up. The addition of 3G, BT and apps brings everything together under one brain.
See also Altek Android phone with real lens!
http://www.unwiredview.com/2011/03/10/alteks-14mp-android-phone-to-be-available-this-month/
I haven’t searched for it but shouldn’t it be possible to use an Eye-fi SD card in the camera and let it transfer the images and videos automatically directly to a Wifi enabled device like an I-something or Android-device or Nokia N8 to edit the footage and then post it?
I’m really impressed by the video quality of the N8.
Regarding compatibility with ipad2: apple.com/iPad/specs mentions the supported video formats:
Video formats supported: H.264 video up to 720p, 30 frames per second, Main Profile level 3.1 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps per channel, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) up to 35 Mbps, 1280 by 720 pixels, 30 frames per second, audio in ulaw, PCM stereo audio in .avi file format.
I guess the profile, profile level and the bitrate determine the compatibility? I don’t know the specs on the Nokia.
The camerapro app allows some fine-grained config and looking at those specs you posted i would go out on a limb and say yes, it’s going to work.
Aren’t those file formats you mentioned compatible for playback on ipad,not edit with imovie?
Good point but I suspect they match up. I’ve seen Mjpeg edited in imovie.
Video confirmation of N8 video using imovie 11
http://nokiatestcenter.blogspot.com/
But not on ipad2?
I would say no it won’t work but I know less about Apple products than I do about what women really want.
Correct me if I’m wrong but don’t you have to sync with itunes to import or export anything on an ipad(which means another computer in the mix)?
More to the point you already have a Galaxy Tab, if you need additional editing software, install Honeycomb and use Movie Studio. If all the hype is correct it is as good if not better than imovie.
The ipad can import through the camera connection kit.
I haven’t heard any good reports about the movie software on Honeycomb yet. If you’ve got a reference ill be happy to look at it.
Chippy.
Currently I am using the dropbox app and filer app to achieve this. Provided your n8 can send stuff to dropbox it would work. Any video off my iPhone 4 can be shared wire free to the iPad 2 iMovie this way. Although I have unlimited data and very good 3G speeds here. A 5 minute movie took about 10 mins to upload and download over 3G this morning, wifi would take a couple of mins.
I guess that answers weather it “CAN” be done. Does that mean it should be done this way.
If I understand the process, you will need to uploadd to an online storage account, then down load to an ipad2 and then upload again to Youtube.
Where as, with the N8 he can upload directly to Youtube or connect wired or with wireless to another tablet or computer and only have upload once? Which brings up an other point, if the imovie on the iphone is the same as the imovie on the ipad, why not just upload directly from the iphone to Youtube?
ha, yes was going to suggest that. Have an iphone 4 and just edit on the device.
Either way though tablet/phone mobile video editing is still not that great. If you can sit down to edit then you can open a small laptop, which is always going to be better. And of all small laptops for video editing an 11inch MBA is really the best from a software point of view. Although if you really have to do it in windows then I picked up a Lenovo U165 with an i5 processor recently, it’s some excellent power in a small package for a really quite good price.
I fear, it will not work and hope, this link helps you in your decision: http://www.macworld.com/article/158463/2011/03/imovie_ipad.html
Sorry for double posting, but I found another interesting link a bit later here about the format, that iMovie for iOS accepted: http://www.ismashphone.com/2011/03/imovie-for-ipad-users-having-trouble-importing-video–3.html
Interesting link. Thanks.
I’m looking at the CameraPro app and seeing a lot of options for H.264 recordings though. I still have hope that this will work.
I’m sorry to disappoint you ,but I would have to say forget iMovie on the Ipad. I have the first ipad and I successfully “hacked” imovie to it and it doesn’t recognize any formats besides the ones recorded on iphones or ipods. I’ve tried all sort of formats, my digital camera even records in .mov and still no luck importing them to the iPad.
As I told you I have the first ipad but I almost sure it wont change that much if anything on the Ipad2. Other people are reporting also that is iDevices format or nothing
Btw 1st Video app for ipad would be something to try but it cost 34.99. :P Looks interesting and has good reviews.
All the best,
Joao.
Ok. Following that I won’t buy ipad2 until I can confirm the N8 works. Thanks for the feedback!
I have imported videos from my Kodak C713 camera into my Ipad 1, and edited them using ReelDirector. Not sure about Ipad 2 or 4.3 os, but mine will only recognize video shot in VGA. Anything higher and it will import, but not allow me to do anything with it.
Reading Ultra Mobile Video Editing Part 3 – ARM Solutions with iPad2 and Nokia N8 | UMPCPortal : http://mge.bz/73
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