Convert DVDs to iPod Video Convert DVDs to iPod Video

Convert DVDs to iPod Video

Feel like just another pair of white headphones in the crowd? Want to watch something new on your iPod? If so, then you’re on the right page because here you will learn how to rip DVDs for your iPod Video, completely for free.

Getting Videos into your iPod

Well, it was bound to happen anyway. Everywhere people have discovered that they could get their DVD movies and TV shoes onto the new video iPod without charge. How do they do that? It’s simple really. In fact, if you have ripped a movie onto the PSP before, you probably already know how to get your DVDs into your iPod. The transfer process is not that much different and all you really need is a good DVD-to-iPod-Video converter to get the thing going.

DVD to iPod for PC Users

For starters, here’s a guide on how to convert DVD to iPod video using cucusoft iPod Video Converter + DVD to iPod Converter suite.

FEATURES:

• Rip DVD to iPod video directly (no need to convert DVD to AVI or VOB first)

• Convert AVI, WMV, MPEG, RM, RMVB, ASF, MOV, DIVX, XVID, MPG to iPod MP4 or H264 format

• Easy-to-use and fast conversion

• Can also rip DVD to AVI, DivX, VCD, SVCD, and MPEG

STEPS (Windows)

1. Download the iPod Video Converter + DVD to iPod Converter suite

Visit GoRipper.com to get the program file for the software suite. Once there, go to the Downloads section and follow the download instructions on the page that appears. Keep the window open as the file downloads. Afterwards, install and run.

2. Load your DVD

Cucusoft’s iPod Video Converter Suit has a neat, blue user interface that is intuitive and easy to use. There should be three buttons to the right of the interface that says: Video to iPod, DVD to iPod, and Quit (for quitting the program). Click DVD to iPod converter component before loading your DVD. To load your DVD, click ‘Open DVD’ button or choosing ‘Open DVD’ from the ‘File’ drop down menu. After loading, several titles will appear on the list. Here’s a tip: If you want to rip chapters or segments you like, you can also select ‘Open VOB or Mpeg’ or ‘Open IFO’ from the ‘File’ menu.

3. Selecting Files

The main file of the movie should be the longest title. If you don’t like to convert the other titles (usually the special features in your DVD), you can remove them by choosing that particular title, right-clicking and ‘Remove.’

4. Saving Video Files

At the bottom part of the list of chapter titles, you will see several more options. Look for the one that says ‘Subtitle’ beside a drop down menu box. Click on the arrow down radio button to set the ‘Subtitle’ to what you like. To ‘Output Folder’, enter the full path name or choose the path where you want to save your video files by clicking ‘Output Folder.’

5. Convert

To start ripping DVD to iPod video files, just click on the huge circular ‘Convert’ button at the bottom right side of the user interface. You do not need to set ‘Input settings’ and ‘Output settings.’

Of course, the cucusoft way is only one way of doing it. If you find that converting DVDs to iPod using cucusoft’s suite is too tedious, especially if you get into trouble during the conversion process, then you might want to check out this alternative way of converting videos to your iPod. Again, the PQDVD Converter suite is for Windows users only. The guide for Mac users can be found below.

LIMITS

• H.264 video: up to 768 kbps, 320x240, 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, 480x480, 30 frames per sec, Simple Profile with AAC-LC up to 160 kbps, 48 khz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats

HOW-TO

1. Insert the DVD

Once you’ve loaded up your DVD into your computer, the DVD might start to pay automatically through your PQDVD. However, if it doesn’t, you can click ‘File’ and ‘Open DVD’ to get it to play.

2. Configure Settings

Click around the DVD’s menu (right side of the PQDVD’s screen) to set up DVD playback as you like. Tinker a bit with the language features, subtitles, specific chapters, etc. Here’s a tip: If you have activated these options, they remain active throughout your converted DVD.

3. Aspect Ratio

At this point, you have the option to adjust or modify the aspect ratio of your DVD. Note, however, that this can distort the picture quality of your video. You can also click on ‘record’ at this point, but you will be met with a message that tells you the main movie hasn’t started yet, which means that if decide to continue with the process, all you’ll be recording will be still images and short video clips. You can go ahead and do that, or wait for the main movie to load.

4. Begin the Movie

If you have chosen to wait until the main movie to begin or after you have recorded the clips, navigate the DVD menu to begin movie. To queue up the point at which you want to start recording, you can use the video playback controls for that. But if you want to record from the beginning, no need then to use the playback controls. Just drag the blue button along the bar at the bottom to start of the movie.

5. Record

Click the ‘Record’ button. The PQDVD will ask you where you would like to put the default output folder. You are given the following options: “iPod Video” folder on your Desktop, Desktop, C:\, Other folders:

Just select the folder in which to store your recorded files and once done, the movie will play at a fast-forward speed, recording the .MP4 file. When you want to stop recording, just click the ‘Stop’ button, or leave it running if you want to record the whole thing. At the end, a screen will appear, confirming that the recording has been successful and you have successfully converted your file.

DVD to iPod for Mac Users

As promised, here’s a quick tutorial that explains how to use Handbrake, a program that can rip DVDs into iPod compatible MPEG-4 video files.

REQUIREMENTS:

• An iPod Video

• Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later

• 500 mhz G4 processor or better

• At least 16MB of video RAM

• QuickTime 7.0.3 or later

• iTunes 6.0.1 or later

TUTORIAL

1. Set Up

First thing’s first, download the program file for Handbrake from any of these sites: VersionTracker.com, handbrake.m0k.org, and MacUpdate.com. After download, install Handbrake by just copying the program into your OS X Applications folder.

2. Load Video DVD

After Handbrake is installed, grab a copy of your favorite video DVD and put it into your computer. One important note: Handbrake can only convert standard video DVD’s that you would normally play in a DVD player. You can’t convert video files in any other formats, such as AVI, MPG, WMV, MOV, etc. Next, launch Handbrake, select ‘Detected volume’ and press ‘Open’.

3. Source Settings

Clicking on the ‘Open’ button will trigger Handbrake to start scanning your DVD. Depending on the contents of the DVD and the speed of your optical drive, this may take up to a minute or two. After scanning, Handbrake will select the longest title in the list by default. You can unselect that if that isn’t the content that you want. If you’re not sure which title to rip, you can click on the ‘Picture Settings’ button found at the bottom right of the Handbrake interface and manually step through several frames of the title to find what you’re looking for.

4. Destination Settings

Handbrake’s ‘Destination Settings’ has three settings you can modify: file format, codec, and file destination. For file format, select MP4 file so you can play this video on your iPod. For Codec, you can choose either AVC/H.2.64 or MPEG-4. For File Destination, just type in a name for the video file and choose its destination using the box provided. On average, you need about 300MB disk space per hour of video so try to choose a location that has sufficient space.

5. Video Settings

You have four options at this point. For Frame Rate, you can just leave the fps set to ‘Same as source’ or choose 29.97 as you like. For Encoder, if you choose H264 as your codec, you must also choose ‘Baseline profile’ for the Encoder. For Quality, set it to ‘Average bitrate’ and enter anything between 400 and 600. And finally, at the bottom part of the interface, you are given two boxes for Grayscale encoding and 2-pass encoding. Select 2-pass encoding if you really want a high quality file, but remember that it would take the encoding twice as long.

6. Audio Settings

This is where you click around for the language settings of your DVD. Language 1 should represent the language for the region you live in, which is English if you in America. Language 2 is usually secondary commentary voiced by the Director and actors. If you only want to convert the movie, just select None for this option.

7. Picture Settings

Your iPod wants video files that are 320 pixels wide by 240 wide. Turn on the ‘Keep aspect ratio’ button and decrease the Width to 320. Handbrake will automatically adjust the height to match the width.

And finally, click on the ‘Rip’ button and let Handbrake do its job. There are several variables affecting the encoding time, such as the duration of the video file, the speed of your computer, what other activity your computer is currently doing, the codec you selected (H264 or MP4) and if you decided to do a 2-pass encoding or not.  

Top 6 DVD to Video iPod Converter Software

Top 6 DVD to Video iPod Converter Software

Years of consumer speculation and anticipation has finally borne fruit. Apple’s new iPod has finally been released and it does a lot more than just play music and display photos. The new Video iPod plays videos and not only that - something that all you videophiles out there are just going to love – it also allows you to output video into your TV or your computer easily!

Along with updating iTunes and the iTunes Music Store, Apple has made video content available for purchase and download. Now, downloading the latest hits on your iPod has never been easier!

But what about the video you already have? Files such as iMovies, DVDs that you own, TV shows that you’ve recorded with a Mac-based digital video recorder (DVR), what do you do with them? Can you play them back on the new iPod? The answer is: OF COURSE! And converting them is way easy.

Below is the low-down on the top six software that allows you to rip DVDs into your iPod.

#1 -- Cucusoft PSP/iPod Video Converter + DVD to PSP/iPod Converter Suite

Its name is a mouthful, that’s for sure, but all of it is true. Widely considered as perhaps the best iPod converter around, Cucusoft’s iPod Converter Suite is actually four programs bundled together to form an all-in-one video conversion package.

With this Suite, you can convert all your favorite DVDs from your collection and almost all other types of video files you have stored, then play them on your new Video iPod or even a PSP (Playstation Portable). Now, you can bring your favorite movies along with you and watch them through iPod whenever, wherever.

It’s an excellent program for beginners. You don’t need to have any media know-how to get this thing started. If you’re trying to rip movies from a DVD, just pop in the disc into your computer and launch the Cucusoft iPod Converter Suite. The program will automatically load the disc, allowing you to select the file format to play on your iPod.

And the software can support almost all types of media files out there, such as, AVI, DivX, Xvid, MP43, MPEG1, MPEG2, .asf, .wmv, .mov, .rm, .rmvb, Video DVD disc, .VOB, .IFO, VCD, and SVCD. In addition, for people who are looking to do more with their movies, the Converter Suite supports various iPod video sizes including 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).

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

• Windows 9x/2000/NT/XP/2003 server

• DirectX 8.0 or later (this is most likely already on your system, but can be downloaded for free from Microsoft if not)

• Minimum MMX-enhanced CPU

• Minimum 32 MB RAM or more

• Any VGA card

#2 –Lenogo DVD Movie to iPod Video Converter

If you want a fast, solid, and stable converter that delivers time after time without crashing, then look for the Lenogo DVD Movie to iPod Video Converter. With a user-friendly design and an interface that’s straightforward, even beginners will find it easy to operate. Just one note though: If you’re a first-time user, now is probably a good time to start learning the basics about media files. Lenogo DVD Movie to iPod Video Converter is a professional DVD to iPod converter software, the fastest so far in the world.

Convert all kinds of DVD to iPod video (mp4) format with a conversion speed that is far faster than real-time. Now, you can convert an entire DVD movie in half an hour on a high-end computer. Of course, there are many factors that could affect the actual conversion speed, factors like the following:

• DVD to iPod conversion process is closely related to hardware. Conversion speed is subject to the quality of DVD discs and speed of hard drivers.

• The speed figures depicted in Lenogo website’s diagram are test data which may differ from computers.

• Unregistered version is slower than the registered one because each frame in the former version is noted with “Unregistered version” which wastes time.

#3 – PQ DVD to iPod Video Converter

With the PQ DVD to iPod Video Converter, converting videos with “just one click” is more than just a figure of speech. It’s as real as it’s going to get. And what’s more, it can do it fast, too!

The PQ DVD to iPod Video Converter converts DVD to iPod Video in one click, as well as Tivo2Go, DivX and other popular video files (such as MPEG, WMV, AVI, and RealMedia) to iPod. Super fast conversion speed with high quality plus advanced video editing features give you everything you need to turn iPod into a portable media center. Watch TVs, movies, home videos on the go and experience a new lifestyle with the PQ DVD to iPod Video Converter.

The software is great for beginners. There’s very little you have to figure out by yourself since you’ll be prompted all the way.

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS:

• PC (Microsoft Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP

#4 – XiliSoft DVD to iPod Converter

With a nice-looking interface and slightly advanced options, the XiliSoft DVD to iPod Converter is very much set up for the intermediate user. A beginner may be able to use it with little problem, but if you want to make a lot of adjustments, you need guidance to avoid getting into trouble with this program.

As a powerful DVD ripper, the XiliSoft DVD to iPod Converter can rip DVD to VCD, DVD to DivX, DVD to MPEG, DVD to WMV, DVD to AVI, DVD to WMA, DVD to ASF, and other popular video and audio formats with just a few clicks. The software supports ripping DVD by custom file size, as well as splitting output file to fit your CD-R. Also, if you happen to have a favorite segment of a DVD, you can rip that particular segment to play it back on your Video iPod.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

• OS Supported: Windows 98/ME/NT4/2000/XP

• Hardware: Intel Pentium II 350 MHz or above, or any Athlon

• 64 MB RAM or above

#5 -- Makayami iPod Media Studio

A program with all the right features, Makayami iPod Media Studio has the one feature that Apple didn’t give you – the fastest software to transfer DVDs directly to your video iPod and enjoy them on the gorgeous 2.5” LCD-monitor.

The software allows you to take any movie from you DVD collection and play it back in your iPod Video on the go. If you’re looking for something entirely different, you can also take recorded TV-material or home movies from your DV-camcorder or digital still camera, and convert those into small files you can load into you iPod Video.

The program is fairly easy to use and fast. All it requires is two clicks of the mouse to get the conversion going, optimizing the small output files for playback with the iPod built-in video player. You can also store up to 100 hours of video (60 GB model) or 50 hours (30 GB model) of feature films, TV, or other content on your iPod with the help of this software – providing the perfect pocket entertainment center for frequent travelers or to keep kids happy in the back of the car.

SUPPORT AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Foreign languages support

• Subtitles

• Dolby Surround Sound

• No need for Quicktime Pro

• PC with Windows XP, NT, or Windows 2000

• The software will automatically zoom and crop 16:9 widescreen movies to fit on the 4:3 iPod screen – a feature which you can manually turn off

#6 – InterVideo i Video to Go

The software has a professional looking interface with function controls right where they should be. It also comes with a good help section so those who aren’t as savvy with media software will have no trouble at all figuring this one out. InterVideo i Video to Go supports a wide range of conversions including MPEG4, H.264, DVD Video, AVI, MPEG, WMV, MOV, DiVX®, ASF, DVR-MS, and 3GP. And all that in just three simple easy steps.

The InterVideo i Video to Go features only one screen the whole conversion process. That’s right, just one window for all tasks. It’s quick and easy with no learning curve.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

• Processor: Intel Pentium III 600 Mhz processor (Intel Pentium 4 1.8G processor, recommended)

• RAM: 128 MB system memory (256 MB system memory recommended)

• Operating System: Windows 2000/XP

• Sound: Windows compatible sound card that supports 48 KHz playback (PCI recommended)

• Display: 800x600, 256 colors (800x600, 16/24/32 bits color)

• Hard Drive: 50 MB of hard disk space for program installation

• DirectX: DirectX 9

The Inside Scoop on The Video iPod Battery: The FAQs of Battery Life

The Inside Scoop on The Video iPod Battery: The FAQs of Battery Life

So your new iPod can do lots of tricks. It can play music, videos, display photos – all on the fly. In fact, with all its features and capabilities, it’s practically a media center you can carry around wherever you go! But if you really want to enjoy every minute of every day with your new iPod, then you need to learn a few things about your iPod’s battery life. So, squeeze every last second from each full charge of your iPod’s battery with this FAQ on getting the most from your iPod’s battery.

How can I get 3+ hours of video playback on my 30 GB iPod?

Apple’s advertisement rates the 30 GB iPod as capable of two hours’ worth of video playback on one full charge. However, media savvy people have found out that they can play videos on their 30 GB iPod for nearly three hours straight after a full charge!

How do they do it? The answer is: COMPRESS!

If you’re willing to make a couple of compromises with the way your videos play on your iPod, then compressing files is the way to go. Do that and we guarantee you get 25 minutes extra from your 30 GB iPod’s battery life (more so if you have the 60 GB model).

What are these compromises I’m talking about? Well, it should come as no surprise to you that smaller videos (that is, smaller picture sizes, lower bitrates and framerates) will play longer on one charge than a video that tops out of the highest settings available.

Let’s take a two-hour full-screen video file as an example. Compress it using the MPEG-4 format and scale it down to only 192 x 144 and 15 frames per second. Then, play it on your video iPod. Don’t be surprised if the video plays on your iPod for three hours and four minutes straight!

It’s amazing what compressing files can do to your iPod experience. It’s certainly one way of getting the most out of your iPod.

Does pressing the fast-forward button really shorten battery life?

We’ve all heard the myth. If you keep fast-forwarding, then you are shortening your battery’s life. But is it true? And if it is, how so?

Consider this fact: Your battery’s life is mostly dependent upon how often the iPod’s mechanical hard drive has to spin-up and read more data. This does not only apply to videos. In fact, this is mostly true for when you’re listening to music – especially when you’re SHUFFLING.

You see, here’s what happens when you shuffle your music or your videos. The iPod usually spins the hard drive at regular intervals and loads up the next few songs into its solid-state memory. When you hold your iPod in your hand, you can actually feel this happening. Now, if you fast-forward through songs, you’re actually emptying the memory of your iPod. As a result, the hard drive will have to spin-up again to read ahead a bunch more songs. This drains precious battery life.

Want a tip? Make some Smart Playlists so you can avoid the artists or albums that you constantly find yourself fast forwarding through.

How do I optimize my iPod battery so I can watch a long video in several sessions and know where I left off?

Okay, so you’re watching a long movie, right? And then you find that you have to do something so you can’t finish watching the whole thing. You stop the movie and think that you can just play it again when you’re not busy. The good thing about the video iPod is that it works just like any other video file. You can just seek through the whole length of the file, looking for where you last left off watching until you find that particular scene and play it from there. However, there’s a problem with this set up. It drains battery life.

When you skin through scenes, you’re causing the hard drive to spin-up at each stopping point so that each time you search ahead, you’ve just blow a few minutes of precious battery life. How to solve this? Before you exit a long movie midway, press the center button on your iPod and note the time in the clip so you can return to it later.

Videos that are optimized for iPod playback should play for nearly three hours straight. If you really want to squeeze out an extra 20-30 minutes of video playback, you’ll have to scale down your video and compress it to the point where you WILL notice a difference. Compression can cause the file to lose some of its properties so that itty-bitty blur there, or that strange contrast in the picture – that could be a result of compressing the file, rather than an actual fault in the file itself.

If you’re not willing to make the compromise, you can try the other two tips we’ve given you and keep your settings at the following:

H.264

• Size: 320 x 240 (most widescreen movies will come in at 320 x 176  or 320 x 144)

• Bitrate: 600 Kbps

• Audio: 128 Kbps, AAC Stereo, 44 KHz

• Framerate: Same as source (or 29.97 for TV output)

MPEG-4

• Size: 320  x 240 (unless you’re optimizing for TV output)

• Bitrate: 1000 Kbps

• Audio: 128 Kbps, AAC Stereo, 44 KHz

• Framerate: Same as source (or 29.97 for TV output)

How can I avoid accidentally turning on the iPod in my pocket?

Well, that’s what the Hold Switch is for.  The Hold Switch of your iPod can be found on the top near the headphones port. This helps prevent your iPod from accidentally turning on in your pocket or bag and draining the battery.

You can set the Hold Switch to hold just by sliding it toward the center of the iPod. You will know that the iPod is on hold because an orange bar is visible in the Hold Switch and a small Lock icon appears in the upper-left corner of the display.

At what temperature does the iPod’s battery work best?

Generally, you can use iPod anywhere between 0 degrees to 35 degrees Celsius (about 32 degrees to 95 degrees Fahrenheit). However, if you want to prolong your battery’s life, iPod works best at room temperature, near 20 degrees Celsius.

If you have left iPod in the cold, let it warm up to room temperature before waking it from sleep. Otherwise, a low-battery icon may appear and iPod will not wake from sleep. If after warming up, iPod does not wake from sleep, connect the power adapter, and press Menu and Play/Pause buttons until the Apple logo appears.

Here are some additional tips about the proper temperature for your iPod:

• Do not leave iPod in a vehicle’s interior when parked in the sun. Temperatures may reach up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65 degrees Celsius).

• Do not leave iPod exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time.

How long does it take to fully recharge a battery?

iPod fast charges the battery to 80 percent of capacity in an hour. However, it can take 4 hours to fully recharge a battery. Even in sleep, iPod uses a small amount of current, and the battery slowly empties. Stored at optimal storage temperature, the battery will empty in 14 to 28 days.

If you want to get the most out of your battery’s life, make sure that you do not charge iPod while it is in a carrying case or cover. Also, you should charge iPod when it has fully discharged even if it won’t be used right away.

What other settings can I change with my iPod to save on battery?

First up is backlighting. This can use a lot of battery power so if you don’t need to use it, turn it off. You can do that by following these set of instructions:

• On your iPod’s display, Choose Settings

• Scroll around for Backlight Timer

• Choose Off to turn it off

Another setting in your iPod you can do without is the Equalizer. Turning off the Equalizer will extend your battery life. To turn it off, just follow the instructions above, only instead of choosing Backlight Timer, look for EQ.

Is the iPod’s battery replaceable?

No matter how much you don’t want to have to replace your battery at all, there are certainly instances where you might have to. The good news is that Apple has an official battery replacement program which they offer at $59. The program requires that you send in your iPod (any model), and Apple will replace the battery and return it to you for $59 plus shipping and handling. Technically though, what Apple does is to replace your whole iPod with an equivalent new or refurbished model. AppleCare programs for iPod are also available in some markets outside the US and in Apple Retail locations.

Will the iPod’s battery degrade over time?

That unfortunately is true. Everything degrades over time without exception. After a long time has passed, the battery will not hold the same amount of charge as when it was still new. This is natural and is true among all lithium ion batteries. During the life of the iPod, not many users will notice the effect this slow degradation brings. However, based on usage, environmental factors, and many other variables, some heavy users may notice a greater degradation than others. Just remember that lithium ion batteries degrade in exactly the same way, whether they are used to power up the iPod, any laptop, cellphone, or portable music player.