iPod Tip #8
Convert existing videos for use on the new iPod with video capabilities using QuickTime Pro ($29.95). I am using QuickTime Pro 7.03 for this demo.

Here’s how:
As of iTunes 6.02, Apple has added a new function in iTunes that allows you to convert QuickTime movies located in your iTunes Library for the iPod with no need to own QuickTime Pro. Simply Control + click (or right mouse click for multi-button users) on video in your iTunes Library and choose “Convert Selection for iPod”.

Convert for iPod

Using QuickTime Pro
Find the video on your hard drive, open it up in QuickTime Pro, and then use Quicktime Pro to convert the video into an iPod-compatible format. The iPod video plays back m4v (MPEG-4) video.

Just use QuickTime Pro File menu -> Export

Export QT

Pick Movie to iPod (320×240) from the list. This will give your video a .m4v file extension. Just rename it to whatever you like and “Save the exported file as.” This will leave your original video untouched.

Save as QT

Now just add it to your iTunes Library and it should play just fine in iTunes and on your iPod with video.

Alternate Method
OK, you do not have QuickTime Pro and want to save some money. Check out iSquint a free iPod video conversion application.

iSquint

Note: Generally you can not use QuickTime Pro to convert MPEG video to the iPod. The result usually is video with no audio. This is due to MPEG multiplexing of audio and video. Try MPEG Streamclip, free for this.

See Video and the iPod for Mac Users for more info.

Tip: iTunes 6.02 now allows you to also change the Video Kind located under the Option Menu to include TV Shows. Before this release you where only allowed to change it to either Movie or Music Video. Only TV Shows bought from iTunes Music Store came with the Video Kind set to TV Shows.

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