5th gen video IPOD

[jlindy]

I just got this thing last week and it is really starting to piss me off. First of all, not only does Apple not give you an owner's manual for it (have to download it online), but they basically support nothing. You get one free complementary technical support call and that's it.

The main probs that I am having is getting the video's to play right. I have downloaded the latest version of ITunes and quicktime (not pro) and can get the picture downloaded, but not the sound. Most of my home videos are in standard AVI or MPEG format which I think is insanse that they can't work without 3rd party software. I further researched my MPEG on quicktime and it is a MPEG1 Muxed format. It says on how you can put DVD's on it too, but they wouldn't help me there either. It says you can do something with streaming video, but no help there either. (can you save it to your ipod?) Their customer service is absolutely pathetic and I get the feeling they don't give much assistance to non-Mac users. I am getting extremely annoyed with this stupid thing, so if anyone can help me figure this out I would appreciate it. I use Windows and Quicktime player

 

[skynet0419]

Use this:

http://www.videora.com/en-us/Converter/iPod/

It will convert almost any video to MPEG-4 so it will play on your ipod. After that just drag it onto I-Tunes like you would any other file you put on the Ipod.

 

[jlindy]

I read of all sorts of problems with the videora software. Has anyone used it much and had any problems? How do you capture streaming video or audio with the IPOD?

 

[Arshad]

Essentially the issue is that the HW decoder in the iPod only supports MPEG-4 and H.264 video formats. That's why you cannot throw a random AVI or MPEG-2 file at it and expect it to play back. Given that most other HW video devices only support a single format, I don't think it is unreasonable that you need to convert your file to one of these formats in order to play. Additionally, by tuning the video to the appropriate resolution and bitrate for the iPod you can ensure that you're getting the best quality with the smallest file footprint.

As far as streaming video goes, it's the same as above. Capture the streaming video to your HD, then use a convertor to transcode it into MPEG-4 or H.264.

Unfortunately I can't recommend a converter on the PC as I've only done this on the Mac. However, any decent converter that supports MPEG-4 or H.264 should work as long as you can adjust the parameters. Have you looked into FFMPEG? That should work, and it's free...

 

[SilverStone05]

I've never been a fan of the ipod. Now I guess I've got another reason. :tongue:

 

[jlindy]

Essentially the issue is that the HW decoder in the iPod only supports MPEG-4 and H.264 video formats. That's why you cannot throw a random AVI or MPEG-2 file at it and expect it to play back. Given that most other HW video devices only support a single format, I don't think it is unreasonable that you need to convert your file to one of these formats in order to play. Additionally, by tuning the video to the appropriate resolution and bitrate for the iPod you can ensure that you're getting the best quality with the smallest file footprint.

As far as streaming video goes, it's the same as above. Capture the streaming video to your HD, then use a convertor to transcode it into MPEG-4 or H.264.

Unfortunately I can't recommend a converter on the PC as I've only done this on the Mac. However, any decent converter that supports MPEG-4 or H.264 should work as long as you can adjust the parameters. Have you looked into FFMPEG? That should work, and it's free...

I tried the trial version of cucusoft and it worked just fine for the DVD's, so I am in the process of buying that. I think I pretty much have the conversion process down, but still have no idea how you capture the streaming video to your HD. Do you I need to go elsewhere to get software for that too?

 

[Arshad]

I think I pretty much have the conversion process down, but still have no idea how you capture the streaming video to your HD.


Hmm, I suppose it depends on where the video is coming from and what format it's in. Some streaming sources now allow you to save to disk (eg. google videos), whereas others you need to jump through hoops. In some cases, you can also find the files in temporary directories on your HD. I haven't really bothered to save much streaming media, so I can't really help here, but if there's a specific stream type you're trying to get (eg. streaming QT movie), then I'm sure someone can give specific instructions on how to save it to disk.

 

[orbusrex]

Any updates on the best way to put my DVDs onto my iPod? Anyone willing to give a start to finish tutorial? Thanks in advance if you are willing! Prime is like a personable/ personal Encyclopedia Brittanica...

Thanks!!!

Rob

 

[Arshad]

There's a few different tools out there that will rip your DVD's to your iPod. I've tried "Handbrake" and it's fairly straightforward to use.

 

[|Adeel]

I have 5th gen ipod too, I hate iTunes when it comes to anything else than mp3's (pictures, video or podcast)

I thought Apple was all about friendly software. I only choose iPod because of the large accessorie market, but it's not worth it. It sucks.

I got my name put in on the backside of it and now I can't get rid of it :tongue:

Btw it SUCKS that they don't include software for videoconversion with the player.


Never buying a Apple product again.

 

[WingZ]

I have 5th gen ipod too, I hate iTunes when it comes to anything else than mp3's (pictures, video or podcast)

I thought Apple was all about friendly software. I only choose iPod because of the large accessorie market, but it's not worth it. It sucks.

I got my name put in on the backside of it and now I can't get rid of it :tongue:

Btw it SUCKS that they don't include software for videoconversion with the player.


Never buying a Apple product again.

Sorry for your problems ,but as Mac person I have to tell you that Ipods don't really represent the apple product very well. I'm not sure apple ever expected them to be as popular as they are with PC owners. Because I have a mac I've never had any problems with my ipod and the software issues never come up.

That said if I might be interested in your 5th gen pm me details and a price. Don't forget the "my name is on it" discount..LoL

 

[|Adeel]

Sorry for your problems ,but as Mac person I have to tell you that Ipods don't really represent the apple product very well. I'm not sure apple ever expected them to be as popular as they are with PC owners. Because I have a mac I've never had any problems with my ipod and the software issues never come up.

That said if I might be interested in your 5th gen pm me details and a price. Don't forget the "my name is on it" discount..LoL

You are probably right. I use it every day on the way to school and work, so I can't give it away now :tongue: But I'm going to get the videofunction right by any cost... That said, back to trying to understand how to import videos to it :tongue:

 

[WingZ]

You are probably right. I use it every day on the way to school and work, so I can't give it away now :tongue: But I'm going to get the videofunction right by any cost... That said, back to trying to understand how to import videos to it :tongue:

Dang it...LoL