Video Codec Wars: Which ones are the most universal?

On the learning side of iOS, I need to make sure that all of my learning material can be easily viewed by the students. We are currently using Camtasia 5 to record lectures and Moodle 1.9 for class websites.

In the past, we have used .wmv files for recorded lectures. This was optimised for the local network of computers and perhaps home PCs. With the increased use of mobile devices to consume class content, I felt it was time to revisit the file formats to see which ones are viewable on the widest variety of platforms and devices.

The ITS specialist (I'm happy to mention her name but I haven't asked permission) kindly rendered a sample lecture recording into a number of formats offered by Camtasia.  It's a pretty crap lecture but it was the smallest one I could find:

.swf (ShockWave) 406k
http://db.tt/9tQwsnF
.mp4 (H264 776x582 video, AAC audio) 2.58mb
http://db.tt/BuPvemP
.m4v (H264 320x240 video, AAC audio) 3.63mb
http://db.tt/VtBmmJT
.mp3 (Audio-only) 2.21mb
http://db.tt/s1hP8tS

Please follow the link and comment below what works on different platforms/programs and I will update the table.  I apologise in advance that this really was a crap lecture and was chosen because it was short (and small).

The table below shows the relative success of the various formats across a number of platforms and browsers:

Platform/Program	.swf	.mp4	.m4v	.mp3
Windows 7 / Internet Explorer 8	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Windows 7 / Firefox 4	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Windows 7 / Safari	Yes	No	No	Yes
Windows 7 / Media Player	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
OS X 10.6.7 / Safari 5	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
OS X 10.6.7 / Firefox 4	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
iPad 1 / iOS file system Video/Audio player	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
iPad 1 / GoodReader	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
iPad 1 / Quickoffice	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
iPad 1 / 2 Screens	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
iPhone 4 / iOS file system Video/Audio player	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Blackberry Curve *audio only	No	No*	Yes	No
iPhone 4 / Safari	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
iPhone 3GS / Safari	No	No	Yes	Yes
Palm Treo 650 *> 2Mb max download file size	No	No*	No*	No*
Nokia E71 *audio only	No	No*	Yes	Yes

So Which apps have VGA-out Support?

I'm quickly finding that the Achilles heel of lecturing with an iPad 1 is whether you can get what is on the iOS screen to the projector.  I'm not afraid of a jailbreak solution (DisplayOut) but I doubt many Universities (or Lecturers) would feel comfortable using (or supporting) clandestine solutions.  However, it seems the iPad 2 has solved this allowing everything on the iPad screen to be mirrored to the VGA or HDMI adapters.  Does this seem like a justifiable reason to ask for a newer iPad?

I've already highlighted some apps and their various degrees of VGA out support for ppt.  Here are some others.

VGA out Successes:
QuickOffice plays videos and presents ppt
Keynote presents
GoodReader presents (scrolling) ppts and videos, web browsing
2Screens presents ppts, video, web browsing, art (whiteboard)
Photo app presents slideshows
BestAds app shows videos
YouTube app shows videos

Please submit others and I'll add them to the list.

Using iPhone apps in Sales Management Lecture

Today in my Sales Management course, I was lecturing on various functions and applications of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems.  In the past I've always showed static images in the ppt or used the browser to go to a vender's website for a demo.  Since I have the iPad VGA adapter, I plugged it into my iPhone and with the help of an app called DisplayOut, everything on the iPhone screen can be mirrored through the VGA adapter and then to the projector in class.  We're lucky in that we have a choice of using networked computers or connections for laptops (VGA + headphone jack for audio).

So today I demonstrated a simple hairdressing app "HairBiz", another more sophisticated Salon management app "PSA : Salon", and a Real Estate Agent app "AgentWorx".

Presenting ppt slides with an iPad and VGA adapter

I've been told (volunteered?) my International Marketing and Management course at Lincoln University will be a testing ground for using iOS devices to enhance teaching and learning.  I've been given an iPad and a Dock-to-VGA cable to use.  Oh, and a couple of months to make everything work.

I'm working with the Flexible Learning team so while I'm trying to sort out technology use in lecturing, we'll be trying to revamp the online resources to maximise learning opportunities across a wide variety of mobile and connected devices (with a focus on iOS devices).

My first lecturing hurdle was to find an app that would best organize and present my lecturing materials.  I already use GoodReader and DocsToGo on my iPhone so those were included.  I also added Keynote and QuickofficeHD to have some developed-for-iPad apps. 

Edit: I've also just found an app "2Screens" which seems to be a multifunction app with a presentation focus.

I am more interested in these apps in the lecture theatre so I'm focussing on their ability to present, not edit or create presentations.

How do these apps present ppt files?

Keynote
It imported ppts quickly and easily and it had some basic editing and transition features including a useful Undo button.  It does have a presentation mode which gives more options when you plug in the VGA adapter.  With the adapter, it allowed you to show the next slide or your notes on the ipad screen (and the time) while the external screen just shows the slide.  This feature is great if you rely on detailed notes.

DocsToGo
This app opened the ppt file fine and had basic editing capabilty but did not have a presentation mode.  Also, no output through the VGA adapter.  Even if there was output, it wouldn't be particularly useful for lecturing without a way to get rid of the notes column and show the slide full screen.

GoodReader
Like DocsToGo, this was designed for viewing and light editing instead of presenting.  When loaded, you can zoom in and out and scroll up and down the slides.  If you don't mind a scrolling presentation, the app did mirror the presentation to the external monitor, although the scrolling is very choppy (only on the external monitor) and some of the words were only half showing.

QuickofficeHD
This app places a much greater focus on presentation.  It opens ppt files with basic editing but I was really impressed with the presentation options. When going into presentation mode, it asked whether you want to use the iPad screen or the detected external monitor (via VGA adapter).  In the external monitor mode, you can move through the slides with forward and backward arrow buttons and you can toggle on/off (rather small) slide previews in a left hand column.  Also, if you hold your finger on the iPad screen, a laser pointer appears on the external monitor screen.

2Screens
This app takes a different approach.  Instead of adding presentation capabilities to a mobile office app, 2Screens is a purpose-built toolbox for presenting.  It opens ppt and has basic editing, and with an external monitor attached, you can show slide previews and notes only on the iPad screen.  Within the app, you can play videos, open a browser, load bookmarked URLs, and annotate everything with a basic art overlay. 

Let me know if you know of another app I should add to the comparison.