RIM actually has a KB article. You need a TSupport login though. I have pasted the document below.
Transcode audio and video files for BlackBerry Media Player
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Doc ID : KB05419
Last Modified : 2006-12-08
Document Type : How To
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Environment
This article is designed to provide information on transcoding audio/video files (i.e., converting to another audio/video format) in order to be played on a BlackBerry device with the BlackBerry® Media Player.
This article applies to the following:
BlackBerry Desktop Software 4.2 and later
BlackBerry Device Software 4.2 and later
BlackBerry Media Player
BlackBerry Pearl™ 8100™ smartphone
Personal computer or laptop computer with an Intel® 486 processor (or higher) running Microsoft® Windows® 2000 or Microsoft Windows XP
Note: For information on the media types supported by BlackBerry Media Player, see KB05482.
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BlackBerry Media Player - Supported Media Types
BlackBerry Media Player supports the playing of various audio and video file formats. See the Detailed Specifications section in this article for more information on supported audio formats, audio file containers, and video formats.
Supported Video Formats
BlackBerry Media Player is designed to support playback of videos encoded in the following formats:
MPEG-4 Part 2 (Simple Profile and DivX)
File formats - .avi, .3gp, .mp4, .mov
Video - Video - Up to 320 x 240 (optimal is 240 x 180), up to 800 kbps (optimal is 400 kbps), up to 30 frames per second
Audio - MP3 or AAC, sample rate of up to 44 kHz, stereo audio
H.263 (Profile 0 & Profile 3)
File formats - .avi, .3gp, .mp4, .mov
Video - up to 320 x 240 (optimal is 240 x 180), up to 800 kbps (optimal is 400 kbps), up to 30 frames per second
Audio - MP3 or AAC, sample rate of up to 44 kHz, stereo audio
The following are examples of unsupported video formats:
MPEG-4 Part 10 (H.264 / AVC)
MPEG-4 Part 2 (Advanced Simple Profile)
H.263+
XviD
3GPP2 (.3g2)
Windows Media Video (.wmv, .wm)
Advanced Systems Format (.asf)
Real Media (.rm)
MPEG-1 / MPEG-2
Supported Audio Formats
BlackBerry Media Player is designed to support playback of audio files encoded in the following formats:
MPEG-1 & MPEG-2 Layer 3 (.mp3)
AAC/AAC+/eAAC+ (.m4a or .aac)
MIDI (.mid or .smf)
AMR-NB (.amr)
WAVE (.wav)
The following are examples of unsupported audio formats:
MPEG-1 Layer 1 & 2
MPEG-2 Layer 1 & 2
Windows Media Audio (.wma)
Real Audio (.ra)
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Transcoding*
Transcoding refers to the conversion of audio and/or video files from one audio or video format to to another audio or video format.
Because of the wide range of audio and video formats available on the Internet, transcoding may be necessary to allow the BlackBerry Media Player to properly play the audio and/or video file on your BlackBerry device.
Determine if an audio or video file needs to be transcoded
Complete the following steps:
Use a search engine or a dedicated download site to find and download a third-party codec information program.
The third-party codec information program must have the ability to determine the format in which the audio/video file is encoded.
Note: Examples of codec information programs are MediaCoder - The universal audio/video transcoder 0.5.0 (must be in Normal Mode, MediaInfo Libraries enabled, and Update Checking disabled), GSpot Codec Information Appliance, and Sherlock - The Codec Detective.
USE OF THIRD-PARTY SOFTWARE IS SUBJECT TO THE DISCLAIMER AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE.
Install the third-party codec information program and follow the program instructions to determine the format of the audio/video file.
If the file is not encoded in a format that BlackBerry Media Player supports, transcode it to a supported format.
Transcode an audio or video file
Complete the following steps:
Use a search engine or a dedicated download site to find and download a third-party conversion tool. The tool must have the ability to convert the format of the audio/video file to a file format that the BlackBerry Media Player can read.
Note: Examples of conversion tools areMediaCoder - The universal audio/video transcoder 0.5.0 (must be in Normal Mode, MediaInfo Libraries enabled, and Update Checking disabled), MEncoder, Pinnacle, andQuicktime Pro.
USE OF THIRD-PARTY SOFTWARE IS SUBJECT TO THE DISCLAIMER AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE.
Install the third-party conversion tool and follow the program instructions to convert the audio/video file format that BlackBerry Media Player supports. Refer to the following table for optimal settings in BlackBerry Media Player.
Optimal Settings for BlackBerry Media Player
Video settings
Audio settings
Video format: MPEG-4
Video file extension: .avi
Resolution: 240x180
Video bitrate: 400 kbps
Frames per second: 30
Audio format: MP3 (i.e., LAME MP3)
Audio bitrate: 128 kbps
Sample rate: 44 kHz
Channels: 2 (Stereo)
Transfer the audio/video file from the computer to the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 smartphone using one of the following methods:
Using BlackBerry Desktop Manager
Note: BlackBerry Desktop Manager version 4.2 must be installed on the computer.
In BlackBerry Desktop Manager, open BlackBerry Media Manager.
Use BlackBerry Media Manager to transfer the audio or video file to the BlackBerry device via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection.
Copy the files to the appropriate folder (either \blackberry\Music or \blackberry\Video) on the microSD card, or directly to the internal smartphone memory.
Note: Files larger than 3 MB cannot be transferred to internal smartphone memory.
Using the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 smartphone as a USB mass storage device
On the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 smartphone, go toOptions>Advanced Options>Media Card.
Make sure that Mass Storage Mode Support is set toEnabled.
Connect the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 smartphone to the computer and follow the prompts on the smartphone.
Open the My Computer folder on the computer. The microSD card should appear there as a Removable Disk.
Copy the files to the appropriate folder (either \blackberry\Music or \blackberry\Video) on the microSD card.
Using a microSD™ memory card reader
Make sure that the microSD card reader is connected to the computer.
Insert a microSD card into the microSD card reader.
Open the My Computer folder on the computer. The microSD card should appear there as a Removable Disk.
Copy the files to the appropriate folder (either \blackberry\Music or \blackberry\Video) on the microSD card.
Insert the microSD card into the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 smartphone.
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Unsupported Third-Party Media Files*
BlackBerry Media Player does not support playback of the following third-party files.
iPod and PSP videos
iPod and PSP audio and/or video files may not play properly on the BlackBerry Media Player unless they are first transcoded to a format that BlackBerry Media Player can read.
To transcode these files, follow the steps provided in this document.
Google Video
BlackBerry Media Player does not directly support the playing of videos available on Google™ Video.
However, you may be able to play such videos on the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 smartphone if you download either the iPod or PSP® version of the video (in .mp4 format), and then use a third-party encoding tool to convert it to a format that BlackBerry Media Player can read. To use a third-party encoding tool, follow the steps in this document.
Video streaming directly to the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 smartphone is unavailable.
YouTube
YouTube™ currently does not support video downloads from its web site.
Video streaming directly to the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 smartphone is currently unavailable.
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For More Information
Refer to the following web pages for more information on codecs, audio/video formats, container files, and transcoding:*
Transcode - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Codec - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Container format - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Comparison of container formats - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
MPEG-4 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Related Articles
View KB05482 and KB05478 for additional information.
KB05482 - Supported media files on the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 smartphone
KB05478 - Transferring files between a media card and the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 smartphone
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Detailed Specifications
Refer to the following lists for detailed video and audio format specifications.
Video
BlackBerry Media Player is designed to support the video formats:
MPEG 4 Part 2 - Simple Profile + bvop (including DivX)
H.263 Profile 0
H.263 Profile 3
BlackBerry Media Player is designed to support the following video file extensions:
.avi containing MPEG4 Part 2 as well as H.263
.mov containing MPEG4 Part 2 as well as H.263
.3gp containing MPEG4 Part 2 as well as H.263
.mp4 containing MPEG4 Part 2 as well as H.263
Audio
BlackBerry Media Player is designed to support the following audio formats (including extensions):
Polyphonic MIDI (.mid, .midi, or .smf)
AMR-NB (.amr)
4.75 kbps, 5.15 kbps, 5.9 kbps, 6.7 kbps, 7.4 kbps, 7.95 kbps, 10.2 kbps, and 12.2 kbps
MP3 (.mp3)
MPEG Layer 3 compliant
16 khz, 22.050 khz, 24 khz, 32 khz, 44.1 khz and 48 khz
AAC/AAC+/eAAC+ (.m4a)
WAV (.wav)
PCM/uLaw/aLaw
8 khz, 16 khz, 22.05 khz, 32 khz, 44.1 khz, and 48 khz with 8-bit and 16-bit depths in mono or stereo
GSM6.10 (.wav)
BlackBerry Media Player is designed to support the following audio file containers:
.avi containing PCM, MP3, and AAC/ACC+/eACC+
.3gp containing MP3, AMR-NB, AAC/AAC+, and eACC+
.mp4 containing MP3, AMR-NB, AAC/AAC+, and eACC+
.mov containing MP3, AMR-NB, AAC/AAC+, and eACC+
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Disclaimer
*Certain features outlined in this document require a minimum version of BlackBerry Enterprise Server software, BlackBerry Desktop Software and/or BlackBerry Device Software and may require additional development or third party products and/or services for access to corporate applications and/or use of certain models of BlackBerry devices. Your use of third party software, hardware, products, and/or services (collectively, the "Third Party Information") shall be governed by and subject to your agreement with the third party, including without limitation, your agreement to the terms of separate Third Party Information licenses, if any. Any Third Party Information that is provided with or without RIM's products and/or services is provided "as is". RIM makes no representation, warranty or guarantee whatsoever in relation to the Third Party Information and RIM assumes no liability whatsoever in relation to the Third Party Information even if RIM has been advised of the possibility of such damages or can anticipate such damages. The inclusion of Third-Party Information herein does not imply endorsement by RIM of the Third Party Information or the third party in any way. RIM does not control and is not responsible for any Third Party Information or the use of such Third Party Information, including without limitation, the content, accuracy, intellectual property issues, compatibility, performance, trustworthiness, legality, decency, links, or any other aspect of the Third Party Information.
© 2006 Research In Motion Limited. All Rights Reserved. The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion, BlackBerry, "Always On, Always Connected" and the "envelope in motion" symbol are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. Intel is a trademark or registered trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. iPod and Quicktime are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the United States and other countries. PSP is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Google is a trademark of Google Inc. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners.
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Products & Services:
BlackBerry Desktop Software
BlackBerry 8100 Series