Hi cstkl

Posted in other thread but maybe you have lost interest to discuss there. Actually I am very interested to learn how you do those you have shown.
I am very interested to buy Apple TV but want to learn how you do what you have done with your movies collection before I make the plunge. So far I have an Ipad 3rd gen for my viewing pleasure.
I get what you say about 'downgrading' the file quality when using third party apps but since they are user friendly and 'download and use' hence why a lot ppl did not bother to attempt what you did.
Maybe I should say Im not really a techie so apologies if any of my comments here are 'unintelligent'. But trying to learn as much as I can.
Tried 'converting' one of my mkv movies using Avidemux. Although iTunes did detect the file however the movie did not play or rather move at all (it opened). Just stuck. I used copy for video and AC3-aften for sound. Original file was DTS. Also when I used VLC to play the mp4 file the sound was distorted. Only when I changed to AAC the sound was ok but again the movie stuck. I tried re-encode the video but no different.
Is there some sort of problem with my original file?
No 2 is there any other option besides Avidemux? I want the files to be m4v rather than mp4 or is it not a problem with ATV? Read somewhere that m4v has more metadata info than mp4. But that is easy (I think) as I saw a lot of software that can change the container without re-encoding.
No 3 how to 'install' (dont know what is correct word) multi audio? ie AAC (stereo) and AC3 (surround) in the same m4v/mp4 file? Tried looking for this in web but either I can't find the info or I can't understand what I was reading lol (likely this)
No 4 I haven't tried inserting subtitle yet but I will try once I manage to sort above problems. But saw somewhere that you can use mp4box. Im sure I will encounter some problems. Saw your post somewhere that you can't get the subtitles on the iPad. However you found the problem and rectified it. Im sure I will ask you again about this since I will most definitely encounter this problem.
Lastly just remembered, saw you post about IOS able to handle 4.1 high profile? I saw this as an option in video encode but how do we know the ori mkv file is in that form or not? Should we just change it but wouldnt it cause the video to be re-encoded rather than just copy?
Got more questions to ask but I think its too long already so I better stop. Sorry if my post is out of topic. I just love the way the files were nicely grouped and their presentation in iTunes. Really hope I can emulate that.

Thanks in advance.

This is getting very interesting although mind boggling. Last night I slept at 4pm just reading all your post and trying to digest while googling terms that I dont understand. Likely I wont sleep at all tonight!
But from what I've seen screenshots that you have shown, it is worth the effort. But I really need to 'study' a bit.
So mediainfo will tell what is the setting of subme for a particular type of mkv file. But we have to download the file first before we can see what is the setting of that file right? Not that download limit is a problem but it is still waste of time unless the info is stated. Doubt it as I've never see that kind of info on the site. Anyway I will check it out.
Thanks. Something for me to look forward going home tonight.