DIY: How to convert video for the iPod

By Jasmine France on 17 November 2005

DIY: How to convert video for the iPod While the Apple iPod isn't the first portable device to support digital video playback, it's probably the one device that will push portable video into the mainstream.

Of course, a key draw of the iPod as a portable video player (PVP) is the fact that its complementing software, iTunes, offers a cheap, easy, and legal way to get music clips and video podcasts that will play on the device. But what if you already own the video files you'd like to watch but don't play back on the iPod?

You could use Apple's simple QuickTime Pro tutorial (you'll need the AU$44.96 QuickTime Pro 7), but then you'd be limited to the file types that QuickTime supports. If you want the ability to convert from the full gamut of video file types, check out the tutorial below.

Required attention span: 5 to 10 minutes for the initial setup; time varies for conversion based on the length of each video

Before you start, you'll need to gather these elements:

  • AVS Video Converter (free to try, US$29.95 to buy; Windows only)
  • Video files, almost any size, shape, or format
  • Video-capable iPod
Step 1: Download AVS Video Converter
Step 2: Launch AVS Video Converter
Step 3: Select output file type
Step 4: Choose video file
Step 5: Select the output location
Step 6: Adjust the settings
Step 7: Convert video
Step 8: Transfer video to the iPod

Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Download AVS Video Converter

You can try out the Windows-only Video Converter for free, but a watermark will appear throughout your video. If you're serious about converting video, purchase the program for US$29.95; the variety of supported file formats makes it worth it.\.
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Step 2: Launch AVS Video Converter


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Step 3: Select output file type

Click the To MOV button along the top of the interface. When creating a video for the iPod, always select the QuickTime file format (MOV).

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Step 4: Choose video file

Click the uppermost Browse button on the right. Navigate to the location where you keep your video files, and select the video that you would like to convert. Click Open.


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Step 5: Select the output location

Click the bottom Browse button on the right. Choose the location where you would like to save your converted video file. Click Save.

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Step 6: Adjust the settings

Click the Edit Profile button on the right and fill in the following information:
  • Name: QuickTime -- for iPod
  • Description: Video: MPEG-4, FrameRate: 30 fps, Frame Size: 320x240, Audio: AAC LC - 128, 44100, Stereo
  • Comment: (optional)
  • Video Format: MPEG-4 -- high quality
  • Frame size: 320x240
  • Audio Format: MP2/4(AAC LC) 128Kbps
  • File Type: MOV
  • Framerate: 30fps
  • Width: 320
  • Height: 240
  • Frequency: 44,100Hz
  • Channels: Stereo

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Step 7: Convert video

Click Convert Now and step away from the computer (processor performance will be seriously affected during conversion). If you want to watch the progress while you convert, click the Advanced button until the viewing screen pops out of the bottom.

Note: AVS converted our original 22-minute MPEG-4 file at a rate slightly faster than real time on an Intel 2.8GHz P4 system with 1GB of RAM. Our source file was 224MB, and our resulting iPod-compatible file was 199MB.


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Step 8: Transfer video to the iPod

Open Apple iTunes 6 and drag the newly converted video file to the library window. If you have selected "Automatically update all videos" for the video preferences for your iPod, the new video will automatically transfer when you connect the player. If you have selected "Automatically update the selected playlists only," make sure that you drag the new video to one of the selected playlists.

Note: You'll probably want to update the information of the video when you move it to the iTunes library. To do this, select Videos from the left-hand column and go to list view. Then, click the file for which you want to edit info and select Get Info from the File menu (or simply right-click). You can edit the boxes found under the Info tab.


CNET's resident iPod plays back the newly converted video. Click here to enlarge image.
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Topics: apple, mp3, tips, player, ipod, video, guide, diy, convert, step

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Comments (14)

  • sundaymicky commented on 11/09/2009 13:41 Report abuse

    You can try Cucusoft DVD and Video converters suite which includes Cucusoft Ultimate DVD and Video Converter Suite. It is the best all-in-one DVD and video conversion software converts DVDs and videos to play on almost any portable device including iPod, iPhone, Zune, PSP, video capable MP3 players, video capable mobile phones, and Pocket P.C., etc.
    You can free download this software free from here:
    http://freedvdripper.org/dvdvideoconverter/cucusoft-ultimate-dvd-video-converter-suite.html

  • LAChaplle commented on 08/06/2009 11:58 Report abuse

    http://swfconverter.biz/swf-to-ipod.html

  • LAChaplle commented on 08/06/2009 11:57 Report abuse

    thank you! i've use iwisoft swf to video converter for a long time. it seems that iwisoft swf to ipod converter has a better performance. i've downloaded it from http://swfconverter.biz/swf-to-ipod.html

  • poitka commented on 12/02/2009 17:06 Report abuse

    how do i go about purchesing the software M%uFFFDConvert for iPod

  • s.krishnan commented on 28/12/2008 02:16 Report abuse

    I dragged the music video file from the internet site to desktop and then to the Movavi Converter. It comes up with the message that the file cannot be opened sdue to unknown format or corrupt file. I can play it from desktop however. any suggestions to overcome this? The file has an extension html.

  • S. Krishnan commented on 28/12/2008 01:59 Report abuse

    I dragged the music video file from the internet site to desktop and then to the Movavi Converter. It comes up with the message that the file cannot be opened sdue to unknown format or corrupt file. I can play it from desktop however. any suggestions to overcome this?

  • windbell commented on 23/07/2008 12:18 Report abuse

    Tks, I use aimersoft video converter for mac to convert video to my ipod on mac, it also works very well
    http://www.aimersoft.com/mac-video-converter.html

  • rico commented on 08/02/2007 14:43 Report abuse

    my audio didnt work under the video any suggestions?

  • Hellen commented on 12/11/2006 01:12 Report abuse

    MP4 Converter 1.0 - is DVD to iPod MP4 converter and video to iPod MP4 converter all-in-one software,
    very useful for converting video AVI, MPEG, WMV, ASF, ASX to MP4 and convert DVD VOB files to MP4 Video format
    for playing on your Apple video iPod player.homepage http://mp4-converter.com

  • Lisa commented on 12/11/2006 01:11 Report abuse

    Easy MP3 Recorder records audio played through your sound card and saves it in MP3 or WAV
    formats. Therefore, you can record audio from a Microphone, tape, Internet Radio Station,
    Player(WinAMP, Windows Media Player, Real Player, and other ...), Internet News, Movie,
    Flash, Internet Conversation, Applications, and many more other audio sources.
    homepage http://www.mp3recorder.biz

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