ISquint and the iPod

How do you make videos for your iPod. This is a question I get all the time. First, let me assume that you have:

1. a video iPod
2. a Macintosh Computer
3. a video file you wish to convert.

First, you need to download the ole' trusty iSquint. The program iSquint manages to convert most, but not all, video files to iPod format.

2. Open iSquint (double click)
3. Drop your movie file on iSquint.

If you drop many files iSquint does not sort them. I have yet to figure out how it sorts them.

3. Choose video options. You may choose to have h.264 on or off. I suggest to have h.264 on. This take much longer however, the video files are well worth it. They are smaller and sharper.

4. What size to use. There are two options: iPod screen (320x240) or TV screen (640x480). I suggest TV screen. Why? The TV screen looks good on iPod AND on the TV. The iPod version looks good on iPod and not so good on the TV.

Keep your options open or you will do what I did. Re-rip everything.

5. I like to to choose the Add to iTunes option on.

6. Since this process will make two files: one at the making location and one in iTunes you may toss the one at the original location.

To save space, I also trash the original. Caveat, do not delete the original till you know the iTunes version is good. I always open the file in Quicktime and check to things.

Framerate: 24 or 23.98 is common, there seems to be a bug in iSquint that will make some files at 2. This really sucks.

Screen Size: 640x(xxx). This just makes sure I set the right size.

7. Sync your iPod and watch away.