Convert AVI to iPod compatible MP4

"I downloaded a bunch of AVI movies from the Internet. How can I convert these AVI files to something I can watch on my iPod?"

I frequently mention WinFF as my favorite solution for converting files between various formats. Converting AVI files to the iPod compatible MP4 format is no exception. WinFF is the app that will do the trick with the least amount of effort. One of the reason's I'm picking WinFF to convert from AVI to MP4 is because it supports batch conversion, so you can line up 20 or 2000 videos to convert and walk away. When you're finished converting simply add the MP4 files to your iTunes library and sync your iPod to watch the movies on your iPod. Here's how it works...

Put Home Movies on Your iPod

"How can I put my home movies on my iPod? I edit my movies in Windows Movie Maker, but I can't add the files to iTunes to put them on my iPod. How can I get movies I made in Movie Maker to play back on my iPod?"

Windows Movie Maker saves files in two formats - either DV-AVI, which is the format compatible with your camcorder tapes; Movie Maker also outputs WMV files, which are compatible with things like Zune and Creative players, but not compatible with iPod players. In order to get your movies from Movie Maker to your iPod, you need to first convert the files to an iPod compatible file format.

Back Up Your iPhone

"How do I backup the songs on my iPhone?"

My favorite iPod backup utility recently added support for the iPhone. Now, in addition to backing up your music and videos from your iPod, iPod Access also backs up all the stuff you care about on your iPhone as well. You can add songs, videos and podcasts directly to the iTunes library for syncing with your iPhone. You can automatically rename media files. All AAC files, including those purchased from iTunes Music Store are supported by iPod Access. With a single click you can back up all the music and videos from your iPhone, sequentially, so you don't lose any important files and you don't get any duplicates. Songs are automatically organized by Artist and Album (or Composer/Album depending on what you listen to on your iPhone. When something goes wrong with your computer or you want to sync your iPhone with a new computer, you won't need to wipe the music and start over (which is what iTunes attempts to force you to do), you can simply recover everything automatically using iPod Access. Download iPod Access and start backing up your iPhone library now. (Also works with iPods, of course).

Have 1000 CDs at home but only 10 on your iPod?

Have 1000 CDs at home but only 10 on your iPod? Riptopia turns your used CD collection into high quality digital music for easy loading onto iPods, mp3 players, media centers, and computers. Rediscover your own music. Riptopia’s services start at $.99 per CD, or the same cost as a single digital song! Riptopia digital music is higher quality than sold or subscribed to online, plays on all digital music players including iPods, and is permanently backed up in case of a computer crash or a lost player. Digital music purchased or subscribed to online has playback restrictions, limited sound quality, and only works on select digital player brands. Don't work for minimum wage ripping CDs. Get it done fast for $.99 per CD...same cost as a digital song.

Recording Phone Calls with an iPod

You won't get great sounding recordings by recording telephone calls with an iPod, but it is possible. In an ideal telephone recording scenario, you want independent control over each person on the call, so that if the person you call is too quiet, you can turn their volume up or your volume down. You won't get independent volume control for both sides of the call when recording a telephone conversation on your iPod, but you will get a recording that you can later use as part of a podcast or transcribed interview.

YamiPod

If you connect your iPod to more than one computer on a regular basis or if you move tracks between computers, you've seen the iTunes message offering to delete files from your iPod. This is theoretically Apple's way of protecting themselves from being associated with piracy, but it's a lousy user experience in almost every case. YamiPod provides a great alternative to the iTunes interface, running as a standalone app for managing songs on an iPod. You can even copy YamiPod to your iPod and run it from any computer. Copy songs to and from any Windows, Mac or Linux computer with YamiPod. Update and manage playlists. Play songs from your iPod through your computer speakers. Add lyrics to songs. Manage existing notes or add additional notes all from one central interface. YamiPod is a solid alternative to iTunes as an iPod interface, but you can use it in combination with iTunes so that you get the benefit of multiple computer connections as well as iTunes interfacing for paid downloads. [Windows/Mac OS X/Linux $0.00]

Put Word Documents on Your iPod

Elliot writes, "I am trying to put a word document on my iPod. I do what you say but when I use my iPod it has a couple of random letters that make no sense. Can you help?"

While you can put Word documents, Excel files and most other Microsoft Office formats on your iPod if you want to use it as a hard drive, they won't display correctly on the screen. Files you want to view on the iPod need to be saved as .txt files. You can save a Word document as a .txt file by choosing File > Save As and picking Plain Text (*.txt) from the Save As Type menu.

Burning iTunes Movies to DVD

Geoff writes, "I was wondering if there is a way to burn your purchased iTunes movies to DVD?"

Movie purchases from iTunes are protected with Apple's DRM, preventing you from burning them to DVD playable on a set top DVD player using software solutions like Nero, Roxio, etc. You can burn the movies as data files to back them up, storing them for recovery in the event of a hard drive failure. If you want to watch iTunes movies on your television, I recommend getting the iPod A/V Cable for your iPod and watching movies with iPod connected to television. The iPod scales video from the portable resolution to a television-quality resolution well enough for standard definition video playback. If you have an HD screen, turn off image stretching so that the video isn't distorted. If you're desperate for a way to burn those iTunes Movies to DVD, a set top DVD recorder is the way to go.

Copy Songs from iPod to Zune

Bebe asks, "Is it possible to transfer music from an iPod to a Zune?"

There's no direct way to copy files from an iPod to a Zune. Files purchased from iTunes music store will not play on a Zune, just as files purchased from Zune Marketplace won't play on an iPod. Using one of several combinations of software, you can get any MP3 files stored on an iPod onto a Zune.

iPod Won't Work With Windows Media Player

Dis writes, "How come Windows Media Player doesn't put the songs onto the iPod?"

The short answer to this question is because Apple doesn't want Windows Media Player to put songs on the iPod. The easiest way for Apple to make sure iPod owners get a consistent experience is for Apple to control the process of syncing audio and video from start to finish. This means Apple optimizes the experience of using an iPod with iTunes and generally makes it difficult to use any other software with an iPod. I don't disagree with Apple's methodology, but I also like having options.