Putting video on the iPod with Video
Somehow, this columnist from The Age gets it all wrong when talking about Handbrake. Handbrake is a very handy program which converts DVDs to iPod-compatible video files.
The article implies you have to use Handbrake to convert the DVD once, then use iTunes “Convert Selection for iPod” command from the Advanced menu – encoding the video yet again. This is simply not true. Handbrake can create MPEG4 encoded (or H.264) video that works on the iPod directly. That’s the whole point of Handbrake. I don’t understand how this supposed “Mac Man” columnist could miss this key point, especially since there are several other web sites on using Handbrake to convert DVDs you own to your iPod.
Also, way back in April, the author of Handbrake made available Instant Handbrake which is dedicated to making iPod compatible files.
Update – Instant Handbrake seems to make files much larger than necessary for merely viewing on the iPod. About twice as big, really. So, I’d suggest sticking with Handbrake.
Caveat – Handbrake runs on Intel and PowerPC based Macintoshes. There’s some build for PC/Windows but from what I can glean from the forums, it doesn’t work quite as well.
