I have already talked about full blown video converters on this blog, but what if you just want to quickly and easily convert videos to format that your iPod supports (MP4)?
I've found DVDVideoSoft's Free Video to iPod Converter fulfils this need well.
The application is extremely simple to use. You just browse for the files you want to convert, or just drag a whole bunch of them into the 'Input files' area, then select what device and video setting preset you desire and click convert.
As an iPod Classic (6th Gen) owner, I found the video/audio quality presets to be very well balanced. Even using the 'Economy' preset produced video acceptable for most.
The program is also very quick at encoding your videos; you can even change the task priority during the conversion process. It also comes with a useful option to turn off your computer once all conversion tasks are complete - very useful for converting batches of videos away from the computer.
Input video format wise, Free Video to iPod Converter supports most major ones including:
*.avi, *.mpg, *.mpeg, *.mpe, *.wmv, *.asf, *.mov, *.qt, *.amv, *.3gp, *.3g2, *.flv, *swf.
There are, however, some cons, the biggest of which is that you have no control over settings such as audio and subtitle streams. The only way to have subtitles in the final converted video is to "hardcode" the subtitles into the original file. Doing this however, would probably be a total waste of time as if an application can hardcode subtitle files into videos then it'll most likely also support conversion to an iPod compatible format.
I have contacted one of team from DVDVideoSoft requesting audio and subtitle stream support be added and the response was that it 'may be considered in the future'.
The installer also offers to install the dreaded Ask Toolbar...(which some would consider unforgivable, but I think this program's advantages outweigh its disadvantages...)
During the install process when you reach the 'Ask Toolbar Installation' page make sure you uncheck 'I accept the license agreement and want to install and enable Ask Toolbar'.
The installer also adds an shortcut to your desktop that if opened, shows an overview of suite of applications to which this program belongs to, however, you'll most likely just want to use this application alone, so feel free to delete the shortcut.
Conclusion
Over the months I have been using this program, I have found it invaluable to quickly and easily put videos onto my iPod. Although Free Video to iPod Converter is less feature-packed than other video conversion software, that is not necessarily a bad thing. Other applications seem to lack the shear simplicity and efficiency of this program, qualities which in many cases are more desirable to users.
Version tested: 3.2.1.63
Download: http://www.dvdvideosoft.com/products/dvd/Free-Video-to-iPod-Converter.htm (10.4MB)
- honda
I've found DVDVideoSoft's Free Video to iPod Converter fulfils this need well.
The application is extremely simple to use. You just browse for the files you want to convert, or just drag a whole bunch of them into the 'Input files' area, then select what device and video setting preset you desire and click convert.
As an iPod Classic (6th Gen) owner, I found the video/audio quality presets to be very well balanced. Even using the 'Economy' preset produced video acceptable for most.
The program is also very quick at encoding your videos; you can even change the task priority during the conversion process. It also comes with a useful option to turn off your computer once all conversion tasks are complete - very useful for converting batches of videos away from the computer.
Input video format wise, Free Video to iPod Converter supports most major ones including:
*.avi, *.mpg, *.mpeg, *.mpe, *.wmv, *.asf, *.mov, *.qt, *.amv, *.3gp, *.3g2, *.flv, *swf.
There are, however, some cons, the biggest of which is that you have no control over settings such as audio and subtitle streams. The only way to have subtitles in the final converted video is to "hardcode" the subtitles into the original file. Doing this however, would probably be a total waste of time as if an application can hardcode subtitle files into videos then it'll most likely also support conversion to an iPod compatible format.
I have contacted one of team from DVDVideoSoft requesting audio and subtitle stream support be added and the response was that it 'may be considered in the future'.
The installer also offers to install the dreaded Ask Toolbar...(which some would consider unforgivable, but I think this program's advantages outweigh its disadvantages...)
During the install process when you reach the 'Ask Toolbar Installation' page make sure you uncheck 'I accept the license agreement and want to install and enable Ask Toolbar'.
The installer also adds an shortcut to your desktop that if opened, shows an overview of suite of applications to which this program belongs to, however, you'll most likely just want to use this application alone, so feel free to delete the shortcut.
Conclusion
Over the months I have been using this program, I have found it invaluable to quickly and easily put videos onto my iPod. Although Free Video to iPod Converter is less feature-packed than other video conversion software, that is not necessarily a bad thing. Other applications seem to lack the shear simplicity and efficiency of this program, qualities which in many cases are more desirable to users.
Version tested: 3.2.1.63
Download: http://www.dvdvideosoft.com/products/dvd/Free-Video-to-iPod-Converter.htm (10.4MB)
- honda
