converting video for the ipod video

Here is a small note to future-self and my readers who have ipod video and want to put they’re video on it. My non technical readers don’t need to know too much about formats. The following is just a introduction, but the process is relativly simple.

introduction Link to heading

The iPod Video supports the following video formats and file formats:- Video formats: H.264 / MPEG-4

  • File formats: m4v / mp4 / mov

I am not too knowledgable in the world of digital video but it seems that the video format and the file format are not mutually exclusive. Meaning that i can make a mpeg-4 formatted video using the m4v file format as well as mp4.

According to the apple.com website the ipod video supports the following :

  • H.264 video: up to 768 Kbps, 320 x 240, 30 frames per sec., Baseline Profile up to Level 1.3 with AAC-LC up to 160 Kbps, 48 Khz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4 and .mov file formats
  • MPEG-4 video: up to 2.5 mbps, 480 x 480, 30 frames per sec., Simple Profile with AAC-LC up to 160 Kbps, 48 Khz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4 and .mov file formats

Converting a video file for the ipod video. Link to heading

Method 1 : Quick Time Pro Link to heading

Quick Time Pro (30 $) supports exporting video for the iPod. It does not offer any configuration and since the trial run i did with a divx dvd rip of dodgeball took 16-18 hours, i suppose that it is using H.264 high def codec.

Although the video quality is superior to mpeg4 video, the time it takes is a little too much for regular video.

Method 2 : iSquint Link to heading

iSquint is a free application for the mac. It is a easy drag and drop application and has two settings and a advanced dialog:

Quality:- Normal Video (lower quality, shorter encoding time & smaller file size)

  • Go Nuts (Highest quality, longer encoding time & bigger file size)

    Optimization:

  • iPod (smaller file size, good enough for the iPod screen)

  • TV (bigger file size, works better when ipod is connected to a television set

I did 2 trial encodes of an episode of family guy, 21 minutes / 174 mb. Here are the results.

You will have to judge for yourself if hard drive space or quality is more important.

Windows Link to heading

I have heard that Videora is the most widely used application on windows for ipod video conversion.

Ripping a dvd for ipod video. Link to heading

I found that Handbrake was as simple as it gets when it comes to ripping dvd’s for the ipod video. Here is a guide on how to choose the right settings in Handbrake

It look easy enough. I am trying it out right now with Blade Runner and it is estimating the time for the rip at two and a half hours.

Windows Link to heading

Engadget has an article on ripping a dvd for the ipod, not sure how “user friendly” it is.