How-To: Convert a DVD for your iPod (with video) in Windows
posted Oct 14th 2005 4:45PM
Today's how-to will
take you through the steps of getting from DVD to the new iPod
(with video) on the Windows platform. Happy portable watching!
What you will need:
- a dvd to avi ripper program (we used the free DVDx 2.3 off of sourceforge)
- an avi to mov (quicktime) program (we used the trial version of Xilisoft Video Converter)
- the new itunes 6.0 (free download from apple)
Procedure
Load your DVD in DVDx 2.3 by choosing “OpenDVD Root” from the drop down menu and navigating to and selecting the VIDEO_TS file of your DVD.
Prepare your
input settings for the dvd in DVDx 2.3. In
DVDx 2.3 you should choose the correct video track,
language
of audio, output frame rate, and subtitles in the
“Input Settings” menu.
Next, choose the correct parameters in the “Output Settings” menu. Choose AVI, Export Settings resolution of 320x240, choose a video codec (we used Cinepak), etc. and click “Apply”.
Now rip the dvd by clicking on the red encode button on the bottom right.
This process may take quite a bit of time and disk space depending on the quality and length of the video. Next launch Xilisoft Video Converter and choose “File > Add”. Navigate to the .avi file you just created with DVDx 2.3. Now on the bottom left of the window choose “QuickTime Format (*.mov)”. Choose a destination for the file you will create. Lastly, change the video size in the right hand column to 320x240 and click the “Encode” button.
Launch iTunes
6 and choose “File > Add File to Library”.
Choose the .mov file you created in the last step.
Click on “Videos” in the left column and double click on your file to make sure the video works. Load it on
your shiny new iPod and voila!
Thanks to HackADay reader Fred Bonatto for the tips.
This is a good tutorial for MAC
http://diveintomark.org/howto/ipod-dvd-ripping-guide/
It takes a long time but it works well.
What took you guys so long, it's been like several days ;)
Just kidding, you guys are great!
Thanks for the post that proves that no serious number of people will ever own PMPs*! Thanks guys.
*In this case "never ever" shall be taken to mean until someone comes up with a way to view video on portable devices without using three seperate apps, two of which take a degree in computer science to operate.
So the obvious question is couldn't you just rip straight to QuickTime? If you do a straight mpeg2 rip, wouldn't it be better to convert to h.264 in QuickTime Pro, assuming you have it?
I'm just wondering if there are other ways to do this that are both easier and would result in better quality. The only important thing is that you end up with a QuickTime 7-compatible file, right?
Nice. You re-compress the video two times and crap the quality.
Handbrake for mac is all you need.. Rips straight to MP4
http://handbrake.m0k.org/
Is that the ugliest themeskin they could find? Certainly there's one out there with Pokemon or fluorescent pink on blue text. Next time try harder, this one merely reminds me of cheap linoleum.
JUNK - all you need is Handbrake. MacTheRipper is not necessary.
Fire up Handbrake, open the DVD that's inside the computer, select the title you want, formats that you want it compressed to ( MP4 with AVC/H.264 & AAC audio, 320 x 240, crop off whatever you don't want - black lines on top and bottom, ... bit-rate about 800 ) and location where you want it saved. That's it.
I'd say extract the MPEG-2 video with DVD Shrink and encode to .mp4 with Quicktime Pro. Quicktime's MPEG-2 add-on is designed for transcoding MPEG-2 to Apple's MPEG-4.
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2/
Though personally, I think you could achieve the same results more cost-effectively if they would have added DivX / Xvid decoding to the new iPod - or at least included Quicktime Pro w/the purchase of a new iPod.
Last time I checked, HandBrake was only for Mac and Linux -- this tutorial is for Windows users.
"Though personally, I think you could achieve the same results more cost-effectively if they would have added DivX / Xvid decoding to the new iPod"
Well, Dr. Divx is the same price as QT Pro, and neither is really unreasonable ($30).
xvid is free, I guess, but I have had nothing but trouble trying to use xvid. It messes with my other codecs (it takes over divx playback, no matter what I do) and I don't get as good quality encoding with it as I do with Dr. Divx. Playback is always juddery.
Neither codec is as good as h.264 anyway, though - both divx and xvid are based on older mpeg-4 codecs. h.264 is the latest and greatest. Not that you'd probably really notice on a 2.5" screen, but you would at least notice if playback was not 100% smooth.
Oops, my bad. Looks like Dr. Divx has gone open-source!
People are always saying that there way more apps for Windows than Mac....
If any of them look like the above, I'm cool with having my choices limited...
thats just 10 kinds of ugly.
I will never buy a PMP, until I can drag and drop video clips on to them.
So, I can stick a CD into my PC and get it on my iPod with iTunes but I can't do that with my DVD's? What's up with that? I don't understand.
Once you extract the DVD into an AVI, or other compatible format, just import into iTunes and hit "convert to AAC", and it will put it in an ipod comatible format.
Now that there's going to be all this video out there for PSPs, I wonder if there will be more available for my PPC... I've been converting DVDs for years; it would be nice to get some ready-to-go files.
Why do you have to convert it to a .mov file. Itunes plays MPEG4 files. Cant you just convert the DVD to Mpeg4 and then put it on your ipod?
Isn't the file size limited to 2.5MB for a video for the new iPod?
(http://www.apple.com/ipod/specs.html)
Does a commercial DVD movie fit into 2.4MB at a 320x240 size?
Nero Recode files should work on the iPod (Nero Recode uses MPEG-4 H.264). Nero Recode is very simple to use. You basically select the folder with your ripped DVD, select the encoding profile, and wait for it to create your movie. I guess its to be seen if the iPod can read these movies.
The 2.5 is mbps ie the maximum bitrate of the video files. There doesn't seem to be an upper limit for the total size of the files.
Richard,
That spec is 2.5 megabits per second, not a file size limit, but a bit rate of each video. So, you can't have more than 2.5 megabits each second, that's all.
Hi Andrew
Good news then. I am going to get one.
What is the bitrate on a video file and kind of restrictions does this present?
uh no its 2.5 mbps mpt mb im sure you can have as hard files as it will handle.
Reply to #17:
No, that's not a 2.5 MEGABYTE (Mb) file-size limit, it's a 2.5 megaBIT per second (mbps) video playback limit for MPEG-4 encoding. Two different things.
I don't see a file-size limit on video (or any) files on that page. I'd say you're good-to-go.
FYI: I've encoded 1.5 hour DVD's for playback on a Dell PDA via Divx, and got those down to 240Mb with 30fps, 320x240, and decient stero audio. I'm betting you could get 2 hour movies with superb quality in under 500Mb. (500Mb movies, 60Gb iPods.... wow.)
Here we go, the explanation is here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitrate#Video
So the 2.5 mbps expresses the image quality not the max video file size like I thought.
#20;
Thank you! I also have a HP iPaq. Could you please explain to me how to achieve what've done- DVD compression to DivX file and then on the PDA DivX playback?
I just think that there needs to be a better protection system for film distribution companies before they would even consider DVD to ipod video conversion in itunes.
Also, nobody is bothered ripping their own films it's easier, CHEAPER and faster to download them off bit-torrent. I'd like to see Warner brothers come back to that...
I know Apple are going to make a deal with all the big movie companies to have full length films to buy for ipod straight off itunes. Until then it will be just be music videos then movie trailers...
What about updating the itunes name? iFilm? iPlay? iMovie? iCinema... or something worse.
I'm sorry, but it seems to me that the EASIEST way to do this would be to use the FairUse Wizard:
http://www.fairusewizard.com/lang_en/fairuse_wizard_dvd_divx_xvid_backup_tool_light_edition.html
The latest version includes H.264
So with FairUse you could do it all in one step, instead of ripping it and then converting it. I've used this program for all of my Xvid rips, and it's a great program. Well worth the 20 bucks he charges.
"I will never buy a PMP, until I can drag and drop video clips on to them."
Uh, Shnugi, there's been those for years now.
Go check out Archos.com. What you're looking for is called a Mass Storage device. Every Archos product falls into this category, including Engadget's gadget of the 2004, the Archos GMini400.
I'm with ya, too. This and the soup mode are the ONLY two reasons I've never bought an iPod.
So um, you can do it...but why the funk (Black Eyed Peas term) would you want to?
tiny screen, poor image quality, poor sound. If you get off on this you you have
a) too much time on your hands
b) no life.
Better option - read a book on the train/plane and watch DVDs where they are meant to be watched - on a decent TV with decent speaker system in your lounge room.
Seriously people - what's with this funked-up obsession with piss-poor movie watching experience?
"gadget of the 2004" -> "gadget of 2004" (I started saying year and ended up saying 2004 - I don't like to display poor grammar)
You could just use dvd decrypter, then convert it with Nero.
When i try and get my root it says that i need some ASPI thingy at adaptec.com or something. i D/L it and it wont install WTF!!
I downloaded the program THEY DVD to AVI ripper program they used but I can't find any EXE or any further ZIP files to actually RUN the program for Windows!
What the hell?
Glad to see someone else said FairUse Wizard 2, it's the velcro shoe of DVD converters. Will do DivX, Xvid and h264, leaving the user needing only the knowledge of how to use a mouse. Free version comes with a limit of 700mb per file, which is enough for a movie; but if you want you can split the movie in half - having two 700mb files, or in quarters... Also has no problems with encrypted dvds, subtitles...
Can the video iPod play MP4 video? If so, then you can just take the AVI file and convert it to MP4 format with the free PSPVideo 9 converter, a program which, ironically enough, is used to make videos for the PSP. www.pspvideo9.com
to #29
unless i wanted to carry a plasma screen(at least 42") nice surround sound setup, dvd player, and anything else to get a non piss-poor movie watching experience, i think a nice portable player would do the job. if you want a quality movie experience, guess what you don't do it in a plane, train, bus, on the street. You go to the movie theatre or you stay at home.
What if you have some time to kill and you want to watch you favorite movie. Do you pull out the movie equipment(see above) and do it, say in the quad? No, you pull you ipod(or whatever) and you watch it. It is not about looking good or sounding good, it is about seeing that right there because you wanted to.
I'm sorry but i dont need the ultimate experience when i am on the go. If i want that, there are other places for it.
Damn, that's an ugly ass application.
funny how they choose kill bill 2 to rip considering the battery will die before they are even near the end of the movie. at least for the 30gb version ne ways
Too tired to look who mentioned it, but Nero Recoder is hands down the fastest and easiest to use DVD ripper. Rips right into the h.264 codec. Took only 70 minutes to rip a 2 hour and 6 minute movie! And if you're all for hacked SNs paired with shareware ;) check this out and you will get the program at no added expense: http://www.addict3d.org/index.php?page=downloadfile&ID=154
I haven't seen anyone mention that the new iPod supports playback of MPEG4 encoded video at 480x480 resolution. I for one have been encoding DVD's at 512x384 resolution for some time. This was my 'perceptual' quality threshold resolution (that is, DVD's looked like shit below this res using DVI out to my 50" plasma..) I for one am simply going to crop my files to 480x 384 (assuming the new iPod retains the pixel aspect ratio of my files). I think that losing 16 pixels on the left & right of a 2.5" screen is no biggie - and no re-encode required! All hail the new iPodean Overlord!
Ok #42 that is just ridiculous. I love the idea of the new ipod. Having it for "music first" and it being even smaller than the first ipod. It is super portable and easily fits in my pocket but has the option of also watching video when it is convienent. I think this is the best idea because Im not necessarily watch movies on it all the time because Im gonna use it as an MP3 player. But its awesome to have the option in such a small package and descent price.
Actually - once you convert your DVD to AVI; convert the AVI to AVC. Using a program designated for PSP media (same thing) - PSPvideo9, take the AVI and convert it to the correct resolution (320X4??) with AVC encode. Then! Wahlah! Crisp quality, smaller file size, great file :P
Makayama has a DVD-to-iPod tool in the making that claims to do it in a few clicks: http://www.makayama.com
Great tutorial. But does the video size have to be 320 x 240? Can it be smaller?
The converter that you used only converts five minuites of the movie.
No if you use FairUse Wizard? What Formats can the New Ipod Use???? Will it play DivX, Xvid and h264????
or use Mov. ?
I'm looking for let on the best way to move my DVD onto my new Ipod.
Thanks.
i think my way is better and it works, Rip with dvd decryptor, then encode with psp video 9 easiest.
Why not just rip it with DVD decryptor and then take the vob file, rename it to an mpg and then convert direct from quicktime pro? Seems like less steps and even though quicktime pro costs 30 bucks I'm sure a creative person can figure out how to get it for less (as in zero).
If you already have your content in AVI format from torrents here is a one step process to convert your videos and it is fast.
http://techgadgets.blogspot.com/2005/10/how-to-convert-your-divx-torrent-files.html
Hey anyone who uses FairUse Wizard. How do you get it to do a resolution of 320 X 240??? I cant find it anywhere.
"Hey anyone who uses FairUse Wizard. How do you get it to do a resolution of 320 X 240??? I cant find it anywhere."
It's one of the options after it's cached the chains. You need to turn off "Use TV display mode" to see it though.
Has anyone managed to import the encoded H.264 files from FairPlay to iTunes? Even if I change the file extension to .mp4 or .m4v, iTunes doesn't play it and Quicktime says that the file is not a movie file. Any advice?
To #49 ? Will it play DivX, Xvid and h264???? Will not play Divx and Xvid but h264 is OK
This video thing is going to take some sorting out.
BTW, I just love these comments about Zen (or fill in your favorite here) being better (sure it plays radio, a real plus there). Since when does better have anything to do with sales - after all microsoft dominates the OS market - enough said.
I am putting together Pod Mania (on sale at newsstands now) a directory of every iPod accessory. We also have it over at our web site (which admittedly is new and has a ways to go yet. See http;//www.DigitalMania-Online.com
ok i love the whole idea of video on the ipod, it is a music first device so i dont see why people are giving it negative comments. all i wanna know is what is the best format that takes up the least space and has decent quality out of all the formats (.mov, mpeg4, etc. that the new ipod can play??????? i just wanna watch some movies sometimes. thanks
Well I used PSP video to encode a movie and I can get it pretty near to what the xvid encoding can do. Itunes finds it. I was able to get an episode of lost from dvd down to 80 megs, 120 is about what I am looking to get (little higher quality). I did not like fairuse, it took much longer and creats an avi, so I'm not sure if it can even create a video that itunes likes. Anyone else have any good experiences?
Anyone knows how can I convert from .vom to avi?
Thanks
Sorry I mean .mov to .avi.
Thanks
I don't understand the infatuation with commercial dvd's how about for home videos? Much easier to transport an ipod photo with some cables and hook up to a tv than carrying the damn camera and other stuff plus tapes... Anyone with kids and grandparents will surely understand...
Use Nero Recode (part of Nero 7)
you can batch convert DVDs, AVI's, MOV's, DivX's, MPG's etc etc
choose the compression rate or file size, it does the rest, keeps the aspect ratio etc
just make sure the format you use has "AVC" at the end to be iPod compatable
created a few hundred music video files this weekend ready for when my iPod arrives, all excellent quality (around 15mb per 4 minutes which equates to around 250 hours per 60Gb iPod)
Hi Guys,
The Videora Team (Videora, PSP Video 9) have released a free video converter specifically for the iPod called Videora iPod Converter.
You can check it out here:
http://www.videora.com/en-us/Converter/iPod/
Past PSP Video 9 users will feel right at home.
What Day is Ipod Video going to Release????
I spent most of the weekend trying all of the previously mentioned options (and then some more). PSP Movie Creator by PQDVD has worked the best for me. You have several choices for resolution, allowing you to convert full frame, 1.85:1 or 2.35:1 content without distortion, and optionally crop out the black bars. For example, I converted the Star Wars movies and removed the black bars, ending up with a resolution of 400x192--25% more horizontal resolution, and no memory wasted on black bars (which itunes automatically supplies anyway). You can adjust the audio and video rates for quality or size to suit your needs (the new ipod can handle 2.5 mbps 480x480 video and 160 kbps audio- make sure you take advantage of that when choosing how to convert your files). Best part: I copied over Finding Nemo and didn't even need to rip it to the hard drive first. I put the DVD in and had a good looking M4P file in about 35-40 minutes. Worst part: it costs $35 for the full version. The quality, options, speed, and ease of use made it worth it for as much as I will end up using it.
Hey all of you, why you don't see Apple's own tutorial for making video for iPod?
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/tutorials/creatingvideo.html
It says iPod can play only H.264 & Mpeg-4 Video codec and AAC-LC audio codec with .m4v, .mp4 and .mov file formats (no avi, no other codec).
So, this how-to tutorial for Windows will not work for iPod because of no codec conversion. Crap.
And all of you who suggested other way with Nero or Videora iPod Converter, you must check the files you create will be compatible or not with the Appl's iPod video file spec.
I prefer & recommend useing QT Pro because this is the only way Apple guaranteed.
I follow the directions exactly as it says, converted the video to acc. But it still not being send to my ipod? and I have an ipod photo with 60 gb of memory. So how can i watch movies on my ipod?
Has anyone tried PocketDivXEncoder: http://divx.ppccool.com/
because you have an iPod photo, not an Ipod video, two different beasts with two different purposes. Frankly I feel bad for anyone that bought a photo iPod.
Ok so Nero Recode by far seems to be the easiest and highest quality solution along with it not taking an extravagent amount of time. Itunes plays the H.264 Mpeg4 files that the Nero Recode program spits out. However does anyone know what kind of Audio is inluded in the Nero Recode process? The movies I converted play in Itunes but who knows if they will play on the Ipod.
Anyone have any rec's for me?
I am wanting to convert my music video library to play on my new iPod, I have Mpg's, Avi's Vob's and WMV's and want them all in iTunes, in small but clear format and I'm using a mac. Free if possible.
I wouldn't usually ask, but I've never done anything like this before and i'm new to both video editing and Macs.
thanks.
Alex@simbaandmo.com
plz send me a invitation to 30gigs.com
I used handshake to convert to ipod video and it doesn't work anyone else have the same problem. My ipod just won't take it.
PQ-DVD for iPod Video has been released.
http://www.pqdvd.com/dvd-to-ipod_video/
The software is highly optimized (3 times faster than any other DVD converters). 1 click solution designed for dummies. And it has many advanced features as additional bonus. The software can be downloaded for free trial from
http://www.pqdvd.com/download/
I already paid Apple enough for the iPod and I was hping to do this for free. Can you recommend any other programs to convert .avi to .mov? (I use Windows)
Y is it that it only encodes 6 minutes... thats stupid. "output settings" time 2 encode 6:40. thats al it does.
I've created actual files with one of two methods.
1) Use PQ dvd to ipod
Works very well, good quality and very fast turnaround no need to use hard drive...but $35!!!
2)Use FairUse wizard to create a single avi file or use another program to create a avi and then use videora ipod converter, free and works, I also already have quicktime pro to futher compress in h264 format with no additional apparent loss in quality
i can verify pqdvd DVD to ipod program is working very fast and easily... the best I have tried yet. however I am having trouble with distorted audio, with either the default or nero codecs for audio decoding in the options.
still, it's REALLY easy and a whole movie gets done in 45 minutes for me, with basically one click. if anyone knows why the audio decoding isn't working too well, let me know. it sounds like it's "skipping" or backtracking a milisecond every once in a while.
WOW! I fixed the audio issue by downloading AC3 decoder and selecting that. PQDVD is awesome! Two thumbs up. It even has very easy cropping options and will do any dvd you throw at it. I am in love.
The iPod can actually handle much larger resolutions for MPEG4. Apple states 480 x 480, but the limit is apparently the total number of pixels, i.e. 640 x 360 is okay. For 2.35:1 movies, you can encode MPEG4 at 720 x 306. The output looks fine on the iPod with no scaling artifacts, and looks great on a TV (sharper than 320 x 240.)
Fedex delivered my new video iPod this morning and I must admit that the quality of the video on the display is much better than I expected. I converted my DVDs using the PSP software from PQDVD.com and they look and sound great. (As mentioned above, they now also have an iPod version of the software available.) Viewing the video on the TV gives you video quality comparable to VHS, which is about what I expected. By the way, the iPod has a built in widescreen on/off feature that will automatically crop and zoom your widescreen films to fit the screen, so you have your choice of viewing options.
Jon- I have also downloaded AC3 decoder, but PQDVD will not let me select it instead of the default or Nero. Any advice for me?
I just downloaded PQ DVD to iPod Video Converter. it doesn't work at all. whenever I start to play the DVD, it comes up with one of those
"PQDVD_iPod.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience."
Can anybody please help me?
my email is xXmrTimmyXx@gmail.com
@jon: which AC3 decoder do you use?
Under "Help/Troubleshootings", the following alternative AC3 and MPEG codecs are listed. I think this is what Jon was referring to, not the commercial product "AC3 Decoder".
http://download.pqdvd.com/ac3filter_0_70b.exe
http://download.pqdvd.com/MpegDecoder012.msi
*Doesnt Work*: 1. Nero Recode h.264 conversion
2. Regular mpeg files
*Works*: 1. Ripped dvd to avi then converted using quicktime
2. regular .m4v files
3. PQ DVD to Ipod Converter
4. Ripped dvd to avi then converted using videora
I have signed up for vip access and downloaded dvdx 2.3, I've follow your instructions when trying to convert dvd to mpeg for my ipod video and as soon as I finish with the input settings a message pops up saying ERROR dvdx 2.3. As well I try to run the output settings window and the whole program (dvdx 2.3) shuts down, can anybody help me? Thanks
"quote"
"*Works*: 1. Ripped dvd to avi then converted using quicktime
2. regular .m4v files
3. PQ DVD to Ipod Converter
4. Ripped dvd to avi then converted using videora"
Agree, I just wish pqdvd was free so I only had one step instead of two
Hey thanks Glen. :) Just trying it out on an episode of Firefly
Cucusoft came out with a DVD to IPOD converter today that converts your dvds and video files to h.264. However you cannot merge files using the program which renders it useless for DVD .vob files. Unless you want to have your dvd movies split into about 5 unequal parts. Also you cannot change or see any of the settings of the converter.
Does anyone know where to buy a good case for the iPod Video? I've been looking on various sites for about a week and haven't been able to find any, even on Apple's own website.
Interesting development...Actually got my ipod today and I also like the video quality! But...all of my files converted with videora and dvd encrypter will not play on the ipod even though they are in the correct format. PQdvd files will play and quicktime pro ipod files will play but I'm not using the full version of pq for speed and convience, quicktime will take around 30hrs for a 2hr movie! PQ about 2hrs. It's worth the money
I used Xilisoft, but each time i use it, the sound is off by up to 10 seconds by the end of the movie, in the beginning it is fine but gradually gets worse... any suggestions?
Hey #93 when you use Xilisoft see if there is a feature that say "Sync movie and sound" that should help. Or when you are watching the movie and notice it gets a little off try pausing the movie and then playing it again and that might fix it.
Hey I got one DVD to convert with Videora and it works but now my other ones arent. Anyone know which formats in videora absolutely work on the ipod?
New version of videora fixes it. Make sure you use "MPEG-4" and not H264 because it doesnt seem to work for some reason.
PQ-DVD seems to be the way forward.
It would have been nicer if it was free, and there's a few minor niggles, but it's fast and simple.
is anyone getting an error when using fair use wizard2. i get something about missiing corona.dll and to reinstall. it does like minutes of the movie. i think this program along with xilisoft would be really effective i just need 2 be able to use it.
i used pq free trial...and it doesnt load my dvd in the open box!!
You can download a keygen to crack the Xilisoft program necessary for converting... as a matter or fact if anyone wants a key i can send them one, just email me. swimfan9100@msn.com
I tried pq dvd to ipod trial version and it seems to work great, worked flawlessly with Batman Begins. I just hate the fact you can only test it with a five minute clip. Has anyone bought the thing and did a whole 2 hour movie with it?
Also, I dont know of anyone knows this, but it looks but when I try to have the settings set to a "high quality" bit rate, the fps stays at 15, I dont see any way to possibly changing it to 30. Could this be done with the full version? other than that the it looks great.
Are there any other apps that do the same for free? I bugs me that I pay $400 for my black 60 gigger and have to pay another $35 for an app that its only purpose is to convert videos to be viewed on an iPod.
One last question, has anyone got Nero Recode to work yet?
The easiest way (BY FAR) to convert movies to your Ipod (and FREE)-
http://www.videora.com/en-us/Converter/guides.html
i bought pqdvd and theres no sound...how do i fix this problem??