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sara sara
 
M$15 December 15, 2008 05:37 AM

How can I convert .avi files to play on an iPod?

I'm using a Mac, but could get my hands on a PC if necessary.
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steepdecli... steepdecli...
 
 December 15, 2008 06:43 AM
Sara, to play .avi files on an iPod they need to be converted to .m4v

To do that, you can simply open and then export within QuickTime if you have the perian plug-in installed.

Once you install the plugin, http://perian.cachefly.net/Perian_1.1.2.dmg

simply play the .avi file, hit stop and then go to File > Export > then select "Movie to iPod" from the export pull down menu (see pic)

Asker's Rating:
• Nearly everyone who answered this helped me find great resources I didn't know about. But this looks like a good one for Mac (my preference), and it has a helpful image for using the software.


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connectedg... connectedg...
 
December 15, 2008 06:03 AM
The software you need is Perian (see sources) and MPEG Streamclip (see sources) and VLC (http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ - for playing)

With these pieces of software you will be able to export almost anything on Mac in to anything else.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_NgRSyHTUI


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGrgEUrH1cU

Source(s):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_NgRSyHTUI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGrgEUrH1cU

http://www.perian.org/

http://www.squared5.com/

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/


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kflott kflott
 
December 15, 2008 06:34 PM
Videora or Handbrake!

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cfinke cfinke
 
December 15, 2008 08:52 AM
Try using iSquint. http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/19769/isquint

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martin rob... martin rob...
 
December 15, 2008 09:38 AM
Have you tried Handbrake, the latest version can convert most things to iPod formats?

http://handbrake.fr/

I find it very useful, I can watch Flight of the Conchords on my iPod now.

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sean sean
 
December 15, 2008 09:49 AM
For small files on any platform you can try http://zamzar.com it is free and emails you the download link. You can convert to and from a variety of file types.

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nomee nomee
 
December 15, 2008 09:54 AM
Use Free Ultimate Converter called SUPER (http://www.erightsoft.com/SUPER.html)
This allow conversion from many formats to many other formats. Once you start playing with settings you will notice the Ipod extenstion (conversion) will have many other options e.g audio bit rate and file names etc.
Try to convert one with simple settings (default) and if it does not play then try to adjust setings accordingly.
Usually it takes 5 minutes to install Super
it takes different amount of time on conversion depending on speed of your PC and size of file you want to convert. Try small files first and see the quality of results.
Hope this helps
Super is free and can be used to convert even FLV (youtube videos) to avi and ipod videos. You can also convert any other audio video to ipod format

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pk1 pk1
 
December 15, 2008 09:55 AM
I think the easiest way is using Submerge which also embeds subtitles to your video (if any) and exports it to the iPod (or iPhone automatically). http://www.bitfield.se/submerge/ (Disclaimer: I am not affiliated to the developer in any way)
Source(s):
http://www.bitfield.se/submerge/


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justinleun... justinleun...
 
December 15, 2008 09:58 AM
For Mac users: VisualHub, but its been discontinued, if you can get a hold of it; It's the best. Otherwise use handbrake.
Source(s):
http://handbrake.fr/


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marcdd2 marcdd2
 
December 15, 2008 07:46 PM
Handbreak is a fantastic free option used by most people I know. It can be exreamly technical or a click of a button.

You may also want to check out the free version of DVDFab http://www.dvdfab.com/free.htm

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simple8 simple8
 
December 15, 2008 10:02 AM
Sara the best way is to get a program called Visual Hub. The programmer who developed it stopped supporting it, that being said another group has taken over but has yet to release a stable version of it. In the mean time just Google Visual Hub and you download an older version. Then you can select multiple formats to convert to.

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dualmind dualmind
 
December 15, 2008 10:04 AM
The best way, in my opinion, is to use Visualhub to do it.

It is easy to use, fast and free. The only thing about it is, that it has been discontinued by the developer. The app is still usable though.
Source(s):
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/21888


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glaus glaus
 
December 15, 2008 11:18 AM
If you have a PC you can use Format Factory http://www.formatoz.com/ or you can use Handbrake for both PC, MAC and Linux - http://handbrake.fr/ both are free and updated continuously.

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doriansc doriansc
 
December 15, 2008 11:31 AM
The best software on Windows for this purpose is Videora iPod Converter. It will basically convert every video file you throw at it to a iPod or iPhone compatible format: http://www.videora.com/en-us/Converter/iPod/

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scottinsoc... scottinsoc...
 
December 15, 2008 11:54 AM
Here's the easiest, fastest, step-by-step way to convert any AVI file to play on your iPod:

1) Buy a $29.99 upgrade to Quicktime Pro direct from Apple: http://store.apple.com/us/product/D3380Z/A (believe me, it's worth it)
2) Open Quicktime by clicking the icon in your Applications folder and enter your new Quicktime Pro registration information that Apple will email to you
3) Once you've upgraded to Quicktime Pro, open the AVI file that you want to convert by clicking File, Open File..., and selecting the file
4) Click File, Export...
5) Choose a new name for your iPod ready video file and choose the location you want to save it to.
6) For the "Export" option, choose "Movie to iPod" and "Use" "Default Settings"
7) Click the Save button, wait until the conversion finishes and you've got an iPod ready video file, guaranteed.
Source(s):
http://store.apple.com/us/product/D3380Z/A


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jfull15 jfull15
 
December 16, 2008 12:50 AM
I use this method as well, it's extremely useful! Quicktime Pro is necessary.

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laiton laiton
 
December 15, 2008 12:57 PM
THE easiest way is import avi files into iTunes and in the Advanced menu choose ''create iPod version'' and Done.

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sethbacca sethbacca
 
December 15, 2008 01:57 PM
Free and open source solution - Handbrake : http://handbrake.fr/

If you happen to already have one of the more recent version of Nero Burning software, check to see if you have Nero Recode as part of your Nero Suite, it has built in profiles to recode files to iPod format and might be a little easier for novices to use.
Source(s):
Personal experience.


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swirly swirly
 
December 15, 2008 02:45 PM
Just go search on google for a video converter. The format you need for your iPod differs for video or audio. I'm guess you want audio? If you do, then look for one that converts to .mp4. If you only have a few things to convert use http://media-convert.com/

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saimanji saimanji
 
December 15, 2008 04:43 PM
You can use a video converter to convert to a .mp4 video. The easiest one that I use is called Videora and can be found along with a few reviews here: http://www.download.com/Videora-iPod-Converter/3000-2140_4-170512.html?tag=mncol

There may be better ones now, as I found this about two years ago!
Source(s):
http://www.download.com/Videora-iPod-Converter/3000-2140_4-170512.html?tag=...


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chaimchaik... chaimchaik...
 
December 15, 2008 05:12 PM
There is a free program for Windows Called Videora.
You can download it for free at this link

http://www.videora.com/en-us/Converter/

At the above site you chose which Ipod you want to convert the video for, and then download the applicable version.

Here is a guide on how to convert a video for your ipod.
http://www.videora.com/en-us/Converter/iPod/guide/video-to-ipod/

at the above mentioned site you will be able to get tutorials on how to convert to ipod video from many different types of media, including DVD and Youtube as well as AVI.

I hope you are able to succesfully manage to convert the video that you wish to convert, if not feel free to add to your question and I will happily help you.

Yours Faithfully,
Chaim

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bioshazard bioshazard
 
December 15, 2008 06:44 PM
The best converter i've found is called SUPER. You can download it at

http://www.erightsoft.com/S6Kg1.html

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the link to download. One its running, it has a bunch of preset format conversion, one of which is an ipod one. Just drag your file into the box, and press convert after you set it. The only confusing thing to use is the settings menu.
Source(s):
http://www.erightsoft.com/S6Kg1.html


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mango333 mango333
 
December 15, 2008 07:26 PM
If you wanna do it for free, look up a program called SuperC. It's a homegrown app and takes a little playing around if you're not familiar with A/V apps. I've used it successfully now for over a year.

Click on the link and scroll to the bottom of the page. Click on the link that says, " Download SUPER © setup file"

http://www.erightsoft.com/S6Kg1.html

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lid lid
 
December 15, 2008 08:42 PM
I am using http://www.convertdvdtoiphone.net/avi-to-iphone.html to convert the videos.

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danieljame... danieljame...
 
December 15, 2008 09:11 PM
Easy, non complicated answer: just search Google for an ipod video converter ( http://www.google.co.nz/search?hl=en&q=ipod+video+converter&btnG=Search&meta= ). There are tonnes of options available.

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timbrazer timbrazer
 
December 15, 2008 09:22 PM
One way you can convert your .AVI file to iPod format (Mpeg4 or .MP4) is using a free program called WinFF. This program is for a PC running Windows XP and Vista.

MP4 is the standard for videos just like MP3 is the standard for music.

I use this program all of the time to convert my cellphone videos to play on my iPod. It works very well.

You can download WinFF here: http://www.topdrawerdownloads.com/download/104928

Source(s):
http://www.jakeludington.com

http://www.topdrawerdownloads.com/download/104928


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andrew30 andrew30
 
December 15, 2008 09:36 PM
The fastest way to use it is www.zamzar.com. All you do is select the file, select the output file, and it emails it to you when it is done. Fast, free and easy. Hope I helped.
Source(s):
zamzar.com


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faisaldawi... faisaldawi...
 
December 16, 2008 02:54 AM
http://www.media-convert.com
Free online multi-media converter!

To convert Youtube, Metacafe, Veoh, MySpace, etc videos to MP3's go here:
http://www.vidtomp3.com/

Check this website for a bunch of convertion software for MACS:
http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Best/avi-to-mp3-mac.html
Source(s):
Myself!


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urweightin... urweightin...
 
December 16, 2008 03:50 PM
Videora iPod Converter has always worked for me. Easy to use and very fast. Website is below.

http://www.videora.com/en-us/Converter/iPod/

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kenford kenford
 
December 16, 2008 08:09 PM
Videora iPod converter is good. Works well for me.

http://www.videora.com/

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ginerc ginerc
 
December 16, 2008 10:01 PM
If you are willing to do this on a PC I would recommend Quick Media Converter, it is capable of converting a ton of different media files into whichever format you'd like. You just drag your video file in and select the output format. It even has shortcuts for the most popular formats (iPod in your case.)

It uses FFmpeg which is a useful command line tool often cited, but it puts a very clean and simple Interface on it for ease of use.

The software can be downloaded here:
http://www.cocoonsoftware.com/#us

It was also mentioned this week on Lifehacker.com's "Most popular free windows downloads of 2008"
http://lifehacker.com/5110552/most-popular-free-windows-downloads-of-2008

Life hacker also did a more detailed review on the software.
http://lifehacker.com/5040094/quick-media-converter-converts-audio-or-video-to-any-format

I hope this helps
Source(s):
http://www.cocoonsoftware.com/#us
If you are willing to do this on a PC I would recommend Quick Media Converter, it is capable of converting a ton of different media files into whichever format you'd like. You just drag your video file in and select the output format. It even has shortcuts for the most popular formats (iPod in your case.)

It uses FFmpeg which is a useful command line tool often cited, but it puts a very clean and simple Interface on it for ease of use.

The software can be downloaded here:
http://www.cocoonsoftware.com/#us

It was also mentioned this week on Lifehacker.com's "Most popular free windows downloads of 2008"
http://lifehacker.com/5110552/most-popular-free-windows-downloads-of-2008


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iconfessim... iconfessim...
 
December 16, 2008 11:08 PM
Use a program called visualhub.

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xentek xentek
 
December 16, 2008 11:43 PM
If you're on a mac, try Crunch.
Source(s):
http://www.roxio.com/enu/products/crunch/mac/overview.html


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yeah568 yeah568
 
December 16, 2008 11:59 PM
Try using a program called Perian - it's a plugin for Quicktime. Open it in Quicktime, then you can export to .mp4, which you can use to play in your iPod. Get Perian here:

http://www.perian.org/

If that doesn't work, try a website I've used with success, zamzar.com. Click on File, browse to the file, select the output file, and wait about a day. Then, they'll e-mail you a link, where you can download the file from. One limitation - you can only convert files up to 100MB, unless you get a premium account.

Good luck!
Source(s):
http://www.perian.org
http://www.zamzar.com


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kgusano kgusano
 
December 17, 2008 01:57 AM
Handbrake is the best on the Mac!
Source(s):
http://cnettv.cnet.com/2001-1_53-50004459.html


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scotian scotian
 
December 17, 2008 02:18 AM
Handbrake is a great and very simple application that will do this job for you. It's fast, free, small, doesn't consume a lot of resources, available for both Mac and Windows and it doesn't require any special knowledge to run it. If you have more than one video to convert you can load them into a que as well.
Source(s):
http://handbrake.fr/


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rat rat
 
December 22, 2008 01:01 PM
on mac i use Macvide iPod Converter can convert video to MP4 for playback on all recent generations of the iPod or other portable MP4 players, iPhone and Apple TV.
http://www.macvide.com/Macvide_iPod_Converter/

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cici1166 cici1166
 
July 29, 2009 03:15 AM
Use uSeesoft Video to iPod Converter.
Download here:
http://www.useesoft.com/products/useesoft-video-to-ipod-converter.exe?sa=lxm
uSeesoft Video to iPod Converter can convert almost all popular video formats like AVI, MP4, MPEG, MKV, MPG,WMV, TS, FLV, MOV, etc. to video format supported on iPod, such as converting AVI to MP4, WMV to MP4, WMV to M4V, AVI to MOV, FLV to M4V, etc.

Learn how to use it:
http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Useesoft-Video-to-Ipod-Converter?sa=lxm
Source(s):
You can also visit http://www.useesoft.com?sa=lxm to learn more rippers or converters that may be helpful to you.


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