FORMATS & METADATA
We recommend using the following formats for your iTunes U audio and video content:
Audio Files
Audio files (AAC, MP3) with appropriate file extensions (.m4a, .mp3). For best results during playback, Apple recommends converting MP3 files larger than 32MB to AAC format.
For most spoken podcasts*:
Audio format: AAC (Low Complexity) or MP3
Data rate: 32 to 64 Kbps
Channels: Mono or Stereo
Output sample rate: 22.050 kHz
Encoding quality: Good*iTunes has this as "Spoken Podcast" setting in the import session of the preferences.
For audio files with music or in need of higher quality:
Audio format: AAC (Low Complexity for Music) or MP3
Data rate: 128 Kbps
Channels: Stereo
Output sample rate: 44.100 kHz
Encoding quality: Better
Video Files
Video files (MPEG-4 with H.264 compression) with appropriate file extensions (.mp4, .m4v, .mov). MPEG-4 (without H.264 compression) is also supported, but your files will be slightly larger. Before posting any video, please consider if an audio only or an Enhanced Podcast (audio with still images) would suffice.
For best results with iPod and most portable devices supporting video:
Video format: MPEG-4 with H.264
Data rate: 256 Kbps
Image size: 320 by 240
Frame rate: 30
Key frame: Every 24 frames
If you use QuickTime to create and edit video content, Apple recommends that you export your videos by choosing “Movie to iPod” from the Export pop-up menu in QuickTime Pro.
Other File Considerations
iTunes U only accepts files for upload that are less than 1 gigabyte (If you are uploading any files over 500 megabytes, please contact Ian Aberle first). Audio files must be either AAC or MP3 with appropriate file extensions (.m4a, .mp3). To use specific cover artwork with an audio track, use the AAC file type format (.m4a). Video files must be MPEG-4 with H.264 compression with appropriate file extensions (.mp4, .m4v, .mov). If you are using QuickTime to create and edit video content, export your videos by choosing Movie to iPod from the Export pop-up menu in QuickTime Pro. You can also upload Portable Document Format or electronic publication files with appropriate file extensions (.pdf, .epub).
Metadata
Each file needs to be properly tagged with metadata or file information. The title, author, description, and keywords tags are the fields that iTunes indexes for search.
iTunes U can display the following fields for each track:
- Name is for the track's title. "October 19 Lecture" maybe
too vague where as "The Birth of Digital Storytelling" is more descriptive.
For example: The Evolution of Movie Special Effects. - Album should include Course or category title.
For example: HNET 3360: Multimedia Applications - Artist is for the Instructor or speaker name. If the
class has a guest speaker, use Artist for the guest speaker and Album Artist
for the Instructor.
For example: Robert Skinner - Album Artist (optional) is for the Instructor, Department, or Organization.
For example: Robert Skinner or Hart eCenter at SMU would both be suitable, just be consistent. - Genre should be set as SMU.
- Comments is for any additional information such as assignment
details, upload information, historical background, or description.
For example: Professor Skinner discusses the evolution of special effects from hand made models to 3D computer animation. - Grouping should be used to add any keywords to the file. Please
limit to no more than 12 keywords.
For example: special effects, 3d, models, animation, sfx, f/x, smu, film
03.10.11