How to Convert Your DVDs to Video iPod Format
Apple is one of the most amazing companies on the planet in their ability to keep a secret. I am networked into the best RSS gadget feeds and they typically preview new gadgets by up to one year before they come out.
But Apple was able to suppress virtually all of the details of their new video iPod until literally hours before the October 12 announcement in England. To me that is the most impressive aspect of the Video iPod.
Other aspects of the iPod might seem a little odd to the gadget-lovers. "No DivX???" is the phrase most often muttered when gadget-lovers start reading of the new iPod's video functions. This is often followed by "No fast forward and rewind?!?"
These really should be death knells for a portable media player and, as a rule of thumb, gaping voids in product functionality aren't considered wise strategic maneuvers. However, this is Apple we're talking about. They just think different.
I can assure you that I am not going to get one as the iAudio Cowon will be releasing a far superior product in the near future. A Korean just did a nice review on it last week with great pictures but it was written in Korean. Some enterprising chap however was able to translate it.
Anyway if you felt led to obtain the Video iPod, the iAudio Cowon or any other portable media players (PMP) you will need to know how to "rip" your DVDs to a compressed format that will play on your PMP. This is a very similar process to converting CDs to MP3s.
My two favorite gadget blogs had a great article on how to do that.
DAPreview October 14, 2005
Engadget October 14, 2005