Splasm Software has released version 1.2 of its iPod video conversion software Podner. A free update for registered users, Podner 1.2 costs $9.95 to register.
Podner — a recipient of Playlist’s inaugural Plays of the Year awards — enables you to ready video for use on a fifth-generation iPod — the software can help you convert the movie to a compatible format and optimize it for playback on the iPod’s small screen.
New to the 1.2 release is “significantly improved” H.264 processing performance — on the order of 10 to 40 percent faster, according to the developer. H.264, or Advanced Video Codec (AVC) is a video encoding technology Apple included with QuickTime 7 that’s supported by the video iPod. It enables higher quality video playback at lower bit rates than other codecs.
MPEG-4 quality has been improved, and file size has been reduced. Traditional Chinese language localization has also been added. H.264 compatibility with the iPod has been improved in this version, which also supports improved “Time Remaining” accuracy and consistency.