Converting DVD To Your iPod

Mac Users

Mac users have it easy as there is a simple user-friendly application called Instant Handbrake which not only rips DVD’s but also converts them into the video format the iPod uses, MPEG 4.

Windows Users

Unfortunately there isn’t an all-in-one application compatible with Windows. The process isn’t that technical but you will need two different applications plus iTunes to be watching your movies on the go. Here’s how:

How To Watch Movies On iPod

DVD Decrypter

This application will decode and rip your chosen DVD.
]Insert the DVD and launch the DVD decrypter, click the Mode menu and choose IFO from the list.
Then select from the Tools menu; Settings > IFO
In the options section click the File Splitting field and set it to None. Click OK to exit the Settings menu.

DVD Decrypter

Locate the Stream Processing tab on the right hand side of the interface and make sure the Enable Streaming Process box is checked.
Then underneath the Enable Streaming Process box, there will be a list of items that you can select. Make sure the Audio and Video boxes are the only two boxes that are checked. Uncheck any subtitle files.
In the Destination section on the left-hand side of the interface click the folder icon and select where you want your files to be ripped to.
The click Decrypt and in approx 20 minutes the software will have finished and your files will be ripped to the destination you selected.Note: if some DVD’s will not convert using DVD Decrypter, then try another package called DVD shrink, between these two bits of software there shouldn’t be many DVD’s you can’t rip.

Videora iPod Converter

Launch the Videora converter and click; Set Up > Output Videos. This is where you select where the converted file will be saved.
Remember that you will need to use iTunes to transfer the file to you iPod so you might want to save the converted file directly to; My Documents > My Music > iTunes > iTunes Music > Movies.
Once you have chosen your destination hit Save.
Click Convert, and then click the Transcode New Video button.
Then navigate to the location on your hard drive where you just saved the ripped DVD. The file name should read something like VTS_01_1.VOB. Select this file and click OK.
This will bring up a title field where you should enter the name of the movie.

Videoa

Finally click Start and wait patiently as the file recodes itself for the iPod. This may take up to two hours depending on the size of the file and the speed of your PC. Don’t be concerned if the progress meter gets to 100% and the software still appears to be running. It’ll finish when it’s finished.

iTunes

Now it’s time to transfer your files to you iPod using iTunes. If you have already saved you file in the iTunes Movies folder then you can simply plug connect your iPod update. If you saved your converted files in a different location simply copy and paste or move this file to the iTunes software and update.

iTunes

A little tip for best viewing is to whenever possible, choose full-frame (rather than widescreen) versions of the movie. The video iPod’s screen is small enough already without losing more of the image to letterboxing.