Converting video for the iPod touch
Many of my students struggle with video conversion for their iPod touch(probably just as well!). Here is an outline of some of the tools, processes and formats required.
The conversion format best suited to the iPod touch is the H.264 video format ( an evolution of the MPEG-4 standard optimised for portable devices) , 640 X 480 resolution (larger than the iPod screen at 320 X 240 but allows for better television playback), 1500kbps bitrate (the maximum for H.264) .
Handbrake 0.9.3 is considered to be a suitable conversion tool. It is available for Mac OSX and Windows. PS…Handbrake 0.9.4 was released on November 24th.
For unprotected movies, try MPEG Streamclip at http://www.squared5.com
Some video formats can be converted directly in iTunes. Choose Advanced> Create iPod version from the menu.
iSquint is an iPod video conversion tool for Mac OS X only, and can handle pretty much anything.
Please share any of your video conversion stories here!
To recover content from your iPod touch
(given some calamity on the computer with the iTunes account you were originally syncing to)
To recover music from an iPod touch to a Mac or PC, you will need to use third party software, as iTunes does not allow for this to reduce piracy concerns. Music Rescue from KennettNet Software costs about AUD $18.00, but you can download a free trial version. Music Rescue also allows you to recover video, podcasts, audiobooks and notes. It will also rebuild features such as playlists and ratings.
What experiences have you had recovering information from an iPod touch?
For other reputable third party iPod software, try iLounge.
By: Deon Scanlon on November 25, 2009 at 8:22 am
Great post, Louise. Very useful stuff!
A couple of Mac applications for accessing data on the iPod Touch:
Senuti – has an interface that allows copy of music FROM the iPod to iTunes on the computer.
iPhoneExplorer – allows access to the internal storage of the iPhone/iPod so it can be used as a storage device (via USB). Warning! It is possible to alter system files using this application, so BE VERY CAREFUL!
Quicktime PRO allows for conversion of video files (but requires some knowledge of the format you are moving to).
Mac applications that deal with multi-media, like Garageband, iMovie and Keynote, have a SHARE menu, which allows you to export to certain file formats with ease. These all have an iPod/iPhone option for saving movie files.