View Full Version : !!Video (DVD or other) to iPod Solution!!
xxjuicymintxx
10-20-2005, 04:49 PM
Before I got my iPod, I read all the tutorials, and all the posts on converting videos, and joined the bandwagon. I converted all my movies in Videora, loaded them into iTunes, and was ready go, now I just needed my ipod right? WRONG. When I finally got it, nothing I had converted through videora would load onto the ipod, though they worked in iTunes. I came to a conclusion.
I hate videora. No matter what settings it was on, couldn't get it to work. I said forget it, and just gave up. I went out on a hunt to solve things MY way, and the RIGHT way. I was sick of getting crappy, out of sync (Audio & Video) movies on my iPod. So, here's what I do...
Movies other than DVD (and Windows Media)
It is very simple. I use a program called PSP Video Express (found on download.com), and convert all my movies there. It's VERY easy to use, and VERY efficient. Quite fast too. All you do is find the movie, open it, then click go. It converts in 320x240 (standard for PSP/iPod), but you can change that if you want, though I don't recommend it personally. Once it's done, you end up with a .mp4 and a .THM file (both seperate). You can delete the .THM file, and then just take the .mp4 and load it into iTunes. Every video that I've done so far has been successful, and looks beautiful on the iPod. Perfect syncing and all.
For DVD Movies
This is also very simple. Pretty much the same thing, just with another conversion in there. This is the one that takes quite sometime, though WAYYY faster than QT Pro. I converted Saw in 1 and 1/2 hours, so that's pretty good. Anyways, here's how I do it for myself.
1.) Load a DVD in my DVD ROM Drive.
2.) Open my ImTOO DVD ripper (Got through lmwire)
3.) Take the .avi file that it creates, and open it into PSP Video Express (found on download.com)
Then I set my settings (320x240), hit the button, then it converts it to a .mp4 file which I then can load into iTunes, then onto my ipod.
Unlike videora, this method actually WORKS for the iPod. (At least for me.) I can't get anything I make in videora to end up on my iPod, though they work in iTunes. So yeah...
This is very efficient, and has been VERY promising for me. No problems yet. It's quick (aside from the DVD to .avi conversion), it's simple, and most importantly IT WORKS.
There's my advice. Hope it works as good for you as it does for me.
Sweener
10-20-2005, 04:52 PM
*shiff* my hero...lol THANK YOU!!! i was just about to use videora!! you savaed my hours of work that would have been point less!
honeybee1236
10-20-2005, 05:00 PM
Please read the Forum Policy (http://forums.ilounge.com/showthread.php?=&threadid=7588) and do not cross post in the forums. Your other post has been removed.
batboy
10-20-2005, 05:04 PM
This is for Windows only, right?
Can you gve me a estimate of how long each of these steps rake for a 2 hour movie?
How do you do episodic discs?
whatsername
10-20-2005, 05:20 PM
thank you juicymint! i am going to try that when i go home tonight =D
ec_costanzoe
10-20-2005, 05:33 PM
I tried this way and it still seems to not work.
The file should be in MPEG-4 correct?
Thanks
moppie2005
10-20-2005, 05:50 PM
I really really hope this works! Videora was making me mad too & I'm tired of installing endless different programs that is trying to do the same thing. Thanks!
ec_costanzoe
10-20-2005, 06:11 PM
I'm a dunbass; nevermind that question
And to the thread starter, Thank-You! Works Great!
essential
10-20-2005, 06:14 PM
Does PSP Video Express keep the format, for example, will it keep a widescreen ratio the same, like the outputted file would be 320x186, not a stretched 320x240? Also, you get an mp4 from this program, is that using H.264, or is it something better/worse?
jamesus
10-20-2005, 06:18 PM
I have tried this and I have found success. Thank you for this program. Videora was able to convert the files as well, but half of them would not play in QuickTime and they did not transfer to my iPod.
I noticed that the output file has a line of "snow" at the top of the screen. While this is not a big problem, I am a bit of a perfectionist and would love to have this fixed.
Also, I encoded the file at 768 kbps and the sound at 128 kbps of a 30 minute video. Final specs are as follow:
23 minutes to encode
199.2 MB output file
Thin line of "snow" at the top. Other than that, it is a great program and it definitely works on my iPod.
James
xxjuicymintxx
10-20-2005, 06:31 PM
Yeah, woo, I have followers. I knew I was a genius, lol.
...actually, not a genius, just a ####ed off consumer, lol. I did find one error though, when it comes to converting dvd's. With the ImTOO DVD Ripper, this is the SE version, and I came to find out that you cannot rip copyrighted ones, BUT, there is a free download on their website for the regular version, and somehow, mine even came registered. I am currently copying "The Matrix:Revolutions", and I'll have it on the pod later...
enjoilax
10-20-2005, 08:16 PM
Originally posted by xxjuicymintxx
2.) Open my ImTOO DVD ripper (Got through lmwire)
So you stole it?
Nice job there chief. http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/dvd_rippers/imtoo_dvd_ripper.cfm
SupaRo9000
10-20-2005, 09:11 PM
No offense, but I'm pretty sure that people who have *full* 20GB + iPods have downloaded songs/sh*t illegally. We all have. No one pays $5000+ for music, unless they're filthy rich.
mpb2000
10-20-2005, 09:24 PM
Originally posted by enjoilax
So you stole it?
Nice job there chief. http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/dvd_rippers/imtoo_dvd_ripper.cfm
Umm...the link you provided has a nice big download button in the middle...don't know what you're talking about
brownstonemr
10-20-2005, 09:29 PM
Its may be 128 kbps audio but only at 24khz which sucks. Any ideas to get 44khz or 48khz?
Thx!
batboy
10-20-2005, 10:50 PM
OK< gotta say thanks to the original poster. This method worked like a charm. The others did not. And it was relatively fast as well! Thanks again.
moppie2005
10-20-2005, 10:58 PM
Oh thank you thank you thank you xxjuicymintxx!!!! THe PSP Video Express is amazing!!!! I used this program to convert .wmv & vcd .dat files & both worked perfectly & quickly.
For DVD, I couldn't download from imwire, so I gave Videora one more try today. I listed to all other people and made sure everything was set to a "SP" (I picked SP-768kps-128kb). This time, I was able to import it into ipod.
So I think I'm set with these 2 programs. I don't need to download any other kind of programs anymore. Yippee!!!!
drmmrlikeskinny
10-20-2005, 11:44 PM
the sync is still out for me! WTF?!
dehlz
10-20-2005, 11:46 PM
Wow, this software is great and so easy to use.
Got my video onto my ipod on the 1st try, thanks OP!
minnesotatwins
10-20-2005, 11:51 PM
Pretty much every psp converting application will work. The problem is the quality is low.
There is still no method to get a high quality file on that I have found.
xxjuicymintxx
10-21-2005, 12:12 AM
Well, I just successfully converted my first FULL DVD onto my ipod. The Matrix:Revoultions. It was a process, but now that I know exactly how to do it, it'll be nice.
It's a FULL dvd, and the quality is amazing. Perfect audio, crisp video. I love it. Took quite a while, but definatly worth it. It only took long bc I was ripping right from the movie.
So yeah. To all those who said thank you, you're VERY welcome. I was very upset at first, but my research and time definatly did pay off.
Someone should copy/paste my original post in the regular iPod forum. I tried to, but I guess I can't do it twice so they deleted it. I just feel that they should get all this knowledge too, in case they don't look here. (Just be sure to give me credit)
Also, I think my post should be made a sticky, I mean look how many people have benefited from the success? It works like a charm, so where's my sticky? lol.
enjoilax
10-21-2005, 12:12 AM
Originally posted by mpb2000
Umm...the link you provided has a nice big download button in the middle...don't know what you're talking about
And it has a nice big BUY NOW button next to it. But hey.
You need to at least mention that the software is shareware.
bbaxter
10-21-2005, 01:40 AM
thanks OP for mentioning PSP Video Express. What if the original video is in .vob format (un-encrypted)? Do I still need to convert them to .avi first?
Thanks.
silverbluenote
10-21-2005, 04:13 AM
This program still have the same problem with wide screen video. when converting ws video file to mp4, it streches the picture to 320x240 instead of adding the black stripes on top and bottom to maintain aspect ratio. was anybody able to fix this ?
dehlz
10-22-2005, 11:24 AM
Originally posted by xxjuicymintxx
Well, I just successfully converted my first FULL DVD onto my ipod. The Matrix:Revoultions. It was a process, but now that I know exactly how to do it, it'll be nice.
It's a FULL dvd, and the quality is amazing. Perfect audio, crisp video. I love it. Took quite a while, but definatly worth it. It only took long bc I was ripping right from the movie.
So yeah. To all those who said thank you, you're VERY welcome. I was very upset at first, but my research and time definatly did pay off.
Someone should copy/paste my original post in the regular iPod forum. I tried to, but I guess I can't do it twice so they deleted it. I just feel that they should get all this knowledge too, in case they don't look here. (Just be sure to give me credit)
Also, I think my post should be made a sticky, I mean look how many people have benefited from the success? It works like a charm, so where's my sticky? lol.
I'm assuming you used ImToo to rip your DVD? What output format did you set it to? I just tried ripping a copy of Office Space and the quality was horrible. I ripped to XviD mpeg-4
xxjuicymintxx
10-22-2005, 03:12 PM
My output settings are set like this:
.avi format, XviD mpeg-4 codec, 320x240 resolution.
Comes out perfect for me everytime. I've done The Matrix, Donnie Darko, Anger Management, and several others...
brownstonemr
10-22-2005, 05:12 PM
anyone figure out how to get better audio?
xxjuicymintxx
10-23-2005, 01:21 AM
I find nothing wrong w/ the audio. Maybe I just have good luck? I don't know. Everything seems to work perfect with me, and I've converted many movies so far...
I'm having a bit of a problem trying to convert Lost episodes (.avi HDTV-ripped files) to mp4 with PSP video express - the program gets about 30 seconds into the conversion then crashes on me. Reboots, different lost files have not helped, and the prog works with other mpegs and wmas fine. Could it be something to do with the divx they are encoded with? Any help would be much appreciated...
imaredr
10-23-2005, 10:17 AM
I use a program from PQDVD.com. I had already bought their software to convert my DVDs in order to watch them on my T5. Was on their site yesterday and they now have a program called PQ-DVD for iPod Video ($ 34.95 USD). I love it and well worth the money. It goes straight from your DVD to the correct format and takes about an hour or so for a regular movie. Then all I do is drag it to Itunes and put ir in my ipod.
xxjuicymintxx
10-23-2005, 11:08 AM
Hmm, sounds nice. Unfortunatly for people like me, we don't have $34.95 to spend on a converting program, especially when there are free ways around it. My next $35 dollars is either goin towards an invisibleshield, or a case...lol. Saftey first!
brownstonemr
10-23-2005, 11:08 AM
Originally posted by imaredr
I use a program from PQDVD.com. I had already bought their software to convert my DVDs in order to watch them on my T5. Was on their site yesterday and they now have a program called PQ-DVD for iPod Video ($ 34.95 USD). I love it and well worth the money. It goes straight from your DVD to the correct format and takes about an hour or so for a regular movie. Then all I do is drag it to Itunes and put ir in my ipod.
I tried their trial version that actually converts into 128kbps audio :) like it says. However it only does it at 24hz. With the full version can u select more audio options like higher bitrate and/or 44hz or 48hz?
Thanks!
imaredr
10-23-2005, 11:11 AM
With the full version you can select the size, audio, how you want it be cropped, etc.
xxjuicymintxx
10-23-2005, 11:14 AM
I still have no problems w/ PSP Express. Oh well.
brownstonemr
10-23-2005, 12:10 PM
I run PSPexpress but when I open the finished file the audio is only 64kbps even though I selected a 128kbps conversion. I see this when I open the finished video in Winamp.
Having for example the GNR Welcome To The Videos on DVD with great music audio, it puts me off ripping it to a file with such a poor final audio quality.
Imaredr have u succesfully converted a video file which final file does actually have 128kbps 44hz/48hz or higher audio with the PQDVD to iPod converter?
Thanks guys!
imaredr
10-23-2005, 02:06 PM
Originally posted by brownstonemr
I run PSPexpress but when I open the finished file the audio is only 64kbps even though I selected a 128kbps conversion. I see this when I open the finished video in Winamp.
Having for example the GNR Welcome To The Videos on DVD with great music audio, it puts me off ripping it to a file with such a poor final audio quality.
Imaredr have u succesfully converted a video file which final file does actually have 128kbps 44hz/48hz or higher audio with the PQDVD to iPod converter?
Thanks guys!
BAsically it all depends on user settings. You control how the movie is converted/formatted. I have attached a snapshot of the specs once it is in itunes
jbirn
10-23-2005, 04:04 PM
I bought a 60 gig ipod video yesterday and spend most of the evening going thru this message board looking for answers as to how to upload video to the device. After several attempts I found PQDVD for Ipods to be VERY simple and worth the price for the full version (the demo only converts 10 mins of video) considering how much I paid for the iPod itself.
My only question becomes how do now convert 3GPP files to MPG4 files? PQDVD does not appear to recognize the format.
To the thread starter, you indeed have uncovered a gold mine and I believe that $30 is a small price to pay to unearth the full potential of this great little (scratch prone) device.
xxjuicymintxx
10-23-2005, 04:31 PM
True, it is a small price to pay, but like I said, why pay, when there are ways around it, and you can get it free? I'm just a bargain shopper, thats all. But thanks for the credit. I am fairly new to iLounge, though I am addicted, and it feels nice to be able to contribute something such as this, and have such a big following.
jbirn
10-23-2005, 05:53 PM
>>I'm just a bargain shopper, thats all<<
I'm with ya bro. I too can appreciate the benefits of a good deal. However, when I tried using PSPexpress it also had time limitations. Was that a shareware program?
xxjuicymintxx
10-24-2005, 12:19 AM
I don't think so. As I said, I've converted full movies (2 hours was the longest), and I haven't had any problems. No time limits for me...
brownstonemr
10-24-2005, 08:53 AM
Originally posted by imaredr
BAsically it all depends on user settings. You control how the movie is converted/formatted. I have attached a snapshot of the specs once it is in itunes
Could u try and achieve a spec on a small converted video file with a audio bitrate of 128kbps and a sample rate of 44hz or 48hz. I would appreciate it.
I am thinking of purchasing this prog but not if it can't achieve the above.
Thx!
imaredr
10-24-2005, 10:24 AM
Originally posted by brownstonemr
Could u try and achieve a spec on a small converted video file with a audio bitrate of 128kbps and a sample rate of 44hz or 48hz. I would appreciate it.
I am thinking of purchasing this prog but not if it can't achieve the above.
Thx!
What do you consider small? I have some taped tv shows, with the commercial and all since I don't care to take the time to edit. They are about 58 mins, but no music vids.
brownstonemr
10-24-2005, 11:35 AM
Oh I just thought maybe u might have a small 4 mins music vid or something lying around on your comp. I don't need to see it of course...just want to know if the above audio conversion would work.
Thx.
ipodvoyeur
10-24-2005, 03:30 PM
nice post man, now I really want to upgrade my 40G ipod photo to the new video one :(
I can't wait to see goodfellas in the tube
I've been using DVDFab which I downloaded for a free trial version along with Videora Ipod converter and it's really easy. Sounds like the same process. I have the same problem with the aspect ratio that's been asked about in this thread. I don't know at what point you change the numbers, but I don't want to be bothered with ripping them again. It's not so stretched that it's horrible.
onlydarksets
01-24-2006, 03:39 PM
Does it handle DVR-MS files? (i.e., Windows Media Center)
NorthFace51
01-25-2006, 12:39 AM
I converted a file using PSPExpress and I followed the steps. I checked in iTunes, under Edit, then Preferences, then the iPod button. For Videos it is grayed out to where I cannot access a selection and it is marked "Do Not Update Videos". Anybody knows what gives?
zjsmith
01-26-2006, 09:04 PM
Would this two step process work for converting Dvds to Ipod?:
1. Use DVD Decrypter 3.5.4.0 to rip a Dvd to my computer.
2. Use PSP Express to convert ripped file to Mp4.
Would that work? I want to install one of these free Dvd rippers. From what I have read, DVD decryptor sounds like the best one. However, I would like to use PSP Express for the second step (conversion) and not have to rely on Vodeora (which everyone seems to complain about).
Thanks in advance for any advise on this matter. I would hate to spend hours installing everything and testing it, only to have it fail.
Assuming these two steps work, as a second question, will it be a problem that my Dvds are widescreen? I noticed that the Ipod itself has a widescreen setting which hopfully means it is compatible for either formats. Thanks.