Question:
I am planning on getting a 30GB iPod video this week. I have a bunch of video files on my PC that I'd like to put onto it. From what I understand, they need to be a certain file type (MP4?). I have mostly AVIs and MPGs. I want to use a freeware program to convert these files to become iPod ready. Any solution? Thanks. 
Answer:
iPod specification: Audio formats supported: AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3 and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF and WAV Video formats supported: H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per sec., Low-Complexity version of the H.264 Baseline Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48 kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; H.264 video, up to 768 Kbps, 320 by 240 pixels, 30 frames per sec., Baseline Profile up to Level 1.3 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48 kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per sec., Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48 kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats |
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FREE PROGRAM #1 - 3GP Converter.
Step 1. Click here to download 3GP Converter
Step 2. Unzip 3GP_Converter034.zip file to any folder.
Step 3. Run setup.exe
Step 4. In the bottom of the screen click on the drop-down list, and choose English (instead of Japanese).
Step 5. In 3GP Converter Configuration Manager choose "Model: MP4, for iPod". Click Apply.
Step 6. Ok. Everything is installed and configured. Now you can use the program.
Run 3GP_Converter.exe
Step 7. Click Browse and select the output directory (where converted files should be saved).
Step 8. In order to convert your video file to iPod format, drag the file onto the white area on the top of the program window. You can place several files there.
Wait several minutes. Done! Your files are converted and saved in the specified directory.
FREE PROGRAM #2 - Videora iPod Converter
Videora iPod Converter is a free video conversion application developed by the creators of Videora. It allows you to convert your regular PC video files (avi, mpeg, etc) into the proper video format that your iPod understands.
Step 1. Download and install the program from one of the following locations:
Download location 1
Download location 2
Step 2. Launch Videora iPod Converter. Choose Convert from the list on the left side of the window.
Step 3. Click Transcode New Video in the Transcoding Queue section. Locate your video file such as AVI, MPEG etc. and click Open.
Step 4. Enter Title (enter any text into the corresponding Title field on the right side of the window).
Step 5. Finally, click Start.
Once the transcode is complete, your video is ready to be moved to your iPod device. The converted file will be located in the Output Videos to: folder specified in the Setup section. Simply copy the file using Windows Explorer to your device, or if your device is an iPod, import the video into iTunes.
FREE PROGRAM #3 - Jodix Free iPod Video Converter
Free iPod Video Converter provides an easy and completed way to convert all popular video formats to iPod video. You can enjoy DVD/VCD and AVI, MPEG, WMV, RM, RMVB, DivX, ASF, VOB video files in your iPod with few clicks.
- It's clean and free
- It supports all popular video formats including AVI, MPEG, WMV (ASF), RM, RMVB, DivX, ASF, VOB etc.
- It's stable and fast.
- Easy-to-use wizard-like user interface helps you setup conversion process easily.
- The output video has excellent image and sound quality.
- ID3 Tag can be derived from the input files automatically.
- Batch Processing is supported, it can process an unlimited number of files at one time.
- Detailed HTML help file is included.
- The installing and uninstalling process is very easy.
Step 1. Click here to download Free iPod Video Converter
Step 2. Click Add Files button. Find and open your video file. Click Next.
Step 3. You can adjust video size (320x240 is recommended), change video and audio quality. You can also skip the window and leave all parameters unchanged. Click Next.
Step 4. You can edit Title, Author, Genre and Copyright info for the converted file, so this information will appear on your iPod. Click OK.
Step 5. The program will ask you to use the settings for all files. If you do not want to set up every separate file then click Yes. If you want to use different Titles and Video Quality for each file then click No (after that you will repeat Step 3 and 4 several times).
Step 6. Finally, click Convert!
Wait several minutes while your video is converted to iPod format.
Great! Now you have those iPod MP4 files!
In order to add converted MP4 video files to iPod you must use iTunes:
Step 1. Launch iTunes
Step 2. Click File -> Import
Step 3. Select the video you want, then click Videos in iTunes and drag the video to your iPod.
That's all.