| Now that iPods can be used to watch videos, the | | | | viewed on iPods. To find out more, do a research on |
| natural consequence should be to make DVDs which | | | | the Net for "Convert iPod to DVD". You are |
| are iPod friendly. Freewares are indeed available which | | | | immediately directed to many links. From these you |
| allows you to transfer DVDs to the hard drive and | | | | can make a selection which best suits your needs and |
| then onto the iPod for viewing. If you can add videos | | | | falls within your budget. |
| to your iPod collection, then storing the videos are | | | | Because of the huge size of DVD files, it is wise to |
| more convenient while you are on transit. | | | | store them in 30 or 60 GB iPods. With iPod shuffle or |
| The process of transferring DVDs to your IPod | | | | an iPod with lower storage capacity, you will not be |
| involves something called "ripping" which is transferring | | | | able to store many videos in your iPod, if you can |
| the contents to your hard drive and then copying the | | | | store anything at all that is. Remember, the more |
| same to your iPod using iTunes. Several utilities can be | | | | videos you store in your iPod the lesser will be the |
| used to do this. Here are some low-downs on some | | | | number of songs you can store. |
| of the popular utilities. | | | | There are some copyright issues when you copy |
| A popular utility used today is Handbrake. To use this, | | | | DVDs to iPods. Ripping a copy-right protected DVD to |
| first put the DVD in the adequate drive. Then start the | | | | transfer to a iPod is considered illegal under the Digital |
| program. Once the program is launched, it will | | | | Millennium Copyright Act. Of course the law does not |
| automatically scan the DVD. In case the disc is | | | | give its green signal when you wish to transfer content |
| protected by any app protection, scanning will not | | | | from your personal collection and utilize the same for |
| happen and you will read a line saying "no valid title | | | | personal use. |
| found". After due scanning a list of titles will be | | | | It seems alright if you as a rightful owner of a DVD |
| displayed. These are all the viewable titles like, the | | | | copy its content to another portable device. The law |
| movie, any documentaries, deleted scenes, any extras, | | | | says that it is right to copy DVD contents, so long as |
| etc. Choose the file which you wish to rip. In case you | | | | the same is not used for infringement purposes. The |
| can not locate the movie choose the file with the | | | | Motion Picture Association of America however |
| longest duration. Click the Rip button. This starts the | | | | disagrees when it says that for whatever reason it |
| ripping process of the DVD which can take a few | | | | may be, any copy of DVD is violation of the DMCA. |
| hours to complete. Once through, you can add the file | | | | Since the law does not say anything specific on |
| to your iPod library. | | | | whether copying DVDs is legal for personal use, every |
| Available at $29 from the makers' website, another | | | | user is needed to access their own views on the |
| utility is called Xilisoft DVD to iPod converter. This | | | | subject. There are many who are of the opinion that |
| permits file compression to any size and lets you | | | | DVD copying for personal reasons is legal till there is a |
| preview the ripping progression. Xilisoft is a great utility | | | | law that rules against it. |
| for beginners but with the added benefits in terms of | | | | May be in the very near future, we will have digital |
| setting controls, it is a good buy for seasoned users as | | | | DVDs which can be bought and downloaded from the |
| well. | | | | Internet directly into the iPod, without using any external |
| There are many other utilities also available which | | | | utility. But till such times, we have to use a utility to rip |
| permit conversion of DVDs into formats which can be | | | | the DVD content and add to the iPod. |