Creating Ipod-Ready Video Clips

Last year the fifth generation iPod was launched. The best thing about this latest release is its ability to store and play videos. However, the public was disappointed because the iPod’s companion software, iTunes, is unable to convert existing videos to a format that can be read by the iPod.

During that time, a third party software is required to be able to convert video clips for iPods. This is not the case anymore because the newest iTunes 6.0.2 comes with a video conversion tool to be able to transform video clips into an iPod-compatible format. As a typical Apple product, the conversion tool is subtly integrated into iTunes, so not everyone is able to maximize this feature. Here is a little tutorial to help you convert your video clips.

iTunes 6.0.2 is capable of converting Quick-Time compatible video formats into iPod-ready video files. These formats can be MOV, MPEG and MP4. These files are converted to H.264 format video. This handles videos that are 320 pixels wide. iTunes does not allow reconfiguring this setting. The format is great when the videos are viewed in iPods, but if these files are viewed on TV or PC, the quality is not as good.

The first step is to add your video clips to your iTunes library. This can be done by simply dragging and dropping them into your iTunes library window. Select the files you want to convert and then right click on your mouse button. A menu will popup and you have to select the option “Convert Selection for iPod”. iTunes will automatically convert the selected files into an iPod-ready video format. You will be able to monitor the status of the conversion process by clicking on “Source” and then “Converting Songs”.

After converting your video clips, you now how two files with the same content. You may delete the older file. It is very easy to distinguish between the two files. All you have to do is to check the file properties and look at the “Date Added” column.

Now that your video clips are compatible to your iPod, you may now transfer the files and begin viewing your favorite video clips anytime and anywhere!

About The Author

Luke Cameron is owner of Ipods Booth - an online magazine offering news, tips and articles on ipod topics. His website can be found at: http://www.ipodsbooth.com.

Selecting Speakers For Your iPod

More and more people are purchasing a set of speakers for their iPods, some to replace their current home audio set ups in order to get rid of the cd collections that take up so much room, some to have a portable audio source for when they are away on holiday, some just for having some iPod speakers because everyone else is buying them! One of the problems we come across the most is people being faced with a huge selection of choices and feeling bewildered about what to buy. What I am aim to do is make your choice that little bit easier.

We can break down the different sets of speakers into the following categories:

Portable and powered by batteries.

Portable and powered by mains adapter.

Home Set up powered by mains adapter.

For those of you looking for a portable set that is powered by batteries there are a variety of excellent options at varying prices. Personally I am of the belief that whatever amount of money you are spending it is important that sound quality is pretty good as what use is a light speaker set that has crackily sound! If you are looking to spend under £50 then we highly rate both the Logic 3 i-Station 7 and the Monster iSpeaker. Both of these are very light to carry, are of a size very conveninet for putting ina backpack or suitcase and run for a good amount of time on batteries, sound from both is exceptional for this pricepoint with great clarity.

If you are looking to spend a little more then a lot of options open up in the £50 to £150 bracket. If lightweight is your number one problem then you will not go far wrong with the JBL On Tour, this is an incredibly lightweight unit that what it lacks in bass it makes up for in the sound clarity department. If you would prefer better sound quality then a step up to an Altec Lansing IM5 or Logitech MM50, Saitek A250 and for iPod Nano Owners the XtremeMac MicroBlast. All of these provide excellent sound alongside good looks and a highly portable structure. Once your budget is going over £150 you are in to the realms of a great portable system in the Altec Lansing IM7, thumping bass, crystal clear treble and a great portable structure, definetly the daddy of portable iPod Docking Stations and Speaker units.

If you would like something that can be considered portable but don't mind having to use a mains charger then there are a couple of good options available. One of our favourites is the Macally IceTune, this is indeed one of our top 5 iPod accessories altogether, when stacked up it looks like a coke can and has two separate speakers that can be removed and pointed to send sounds in different directions, the sound quality is excelletn for only £39.99 and it is very much portable but does require mains power. The JBL On Stage is another wonderful compact and lightweight unit that can be plugged into the mains for power and will charge your iPod while you listen to it, very high quality sound, lacks bass a littel but you are compromising bass to have such a small portable unit, clarity of sound and loudness are both very impressive. Another excellent unit in this bracket is the Logic 3 iStation 8, newly released and keeping up the fabulous reputation of the iStation 7 this really is worth the money, great combinations of bass and treble and very much a portable size and weight.

For the home set up there are a variety of options and in honesty the best value speakers in our opinion come at this price point. For just £59.99 you can have a pair of JBL Creature II's, these are surely one of the greatest home electronics products to ever hit the market, the bass is phenomenal and the clarity is superb, vocals sound great for many types of music, they also look very appealing and are bound to interest visitors who glaze their eyes upon them! Also in the JBL range are the Encounters, these expand on the Creature philosophy of an alien themed set of speakers and have even stronger bass, they are quite simply phenomenal! At this price point we also have the Harmon Kardon Soundsticks, for a long time these have been my individual favourite speakers, they are see through so you can have a look at what is going on inside and provide possibly the clearest vocals you will hear from iPod focused speakers they are simply outstanding, perhaps not as strong bass as the Encounters but still more than enough for most pallettes. For anyone considering a home iPod set up I strongly suggest a very close look at the Harmon Kardon Soundsticks they are oustanding and will fit in to 99% of home settings in the living room, dining room, kitchen etc!

Hopefully this guide has been of some use to you choosing your speakers, firstly establish which of the three categories your requirements for speakers come into and then you can use the above advice to direct you to some great units, we wish you the best of luck in your choice!

About The Author

Nick Segrue is the Managing Director and Founder of http://www.mp3additions.co.uk MP3 Additions is one of the UK's fastest growing online retailers of iPod Accessories and strives to supply only the highest quality products that will always enhance your iPod experience. All products are thoroughly tested before being offered for sale and the staff at MP3 Additions are happy to advise you on any products you are interested in or catch your attention.

Add Fun To Your Ipod With Accessories

The iPod is the ultimate symbol of the digital age and only those entirely out of the loop haven't heard about it by now. The iPod is today's hottest gadget. Owning one elevates you to the status of the iPod people--audiophiles in love with their iPods. What self-respecting iPod person would you be if you didn't spruce up your iPod with iPod accessories? Fortunately, there are countless companies who offer the best and most exciting hardware and software iPod accessories to complement and personalize your "baby."

Let's begin with the basics of iPod accessories: iPod skins. The first, second and third generation iPods often had to content themselves with the iPod accessories mostly consisting of cases in leather, rubber, aluminum or fabric to protect the iPod from scratches, dust and moisture. Depending on your requirements, there are covers that allow you to carry your iPod in all your activities. From water-resistant cases to sweat-proof sleeves, these iPod accessories help the iPod be more portable.

The skins can also serve a stylish function. http://DecalGirl.com has a vast array of iPod skins, from loud colors to your favorite anime characters, and almost anything you imagine is possible. You can even satisfy the abstract side of you with graphic designs printed on your iPod skin. Just make certain that the iPod accessories you buy come with a guarantee, in case of an inferior product.

The next essential iPod accessories you will need are headphones or earphones. Although an iPod comes equipped with earphones, there are but a few users who prefer a surround sound experience. Other iPod headphone accessories include the retractable headphones, which is great to use while outside. And then there are the headphones with attached speakers, the infrared wireless earphones and water-resistant earphones for those times when you can't even take a bath without listening to your iPod.

Aside from these basic earpieces, external speakers and carrying case iPod accessories are quite popular. The iBoom iPod player has a dock for your iPod player with speakers attached to the sides. It is perfect for picnics and beach outings where music is a must to liven up the party. Another brand, called the iBag, is an accessory with FM stereo that adds more fun because you have the option to surf through local radio stations for more fun beats.

More iPod accessories are available to the iPod junkie online. A number of websites do product reviews of these iPod accessories and you can get a preview of the items you may want to buy through them. Included in these sites are http://welovemacs.com, and http://connectingpoint.net. They have a wide variety of iPod accessories for all the generations of iPods. They not only provide you with the price, features and product compatibility details but also give you the pros and cons of each iPod accessory.

Other iPod accessories that is a must have for any iPod warrior include the Belkin Voice Recorder that allows you to record reminders, meeting and notes into your iPod. There's also the hands-free accessory called the iPod remote and earphones. With it, you don't have to worry about struggling with the iPod controls as you drive or jog. A stationary variation of this remote is also available. Called the NaviPod IR Remote, it gives you the power to control your iPod's audio from across a room. Another essential iPod accessory is the iPod Dock that recharges iPod at work or at home.

For the car lovers, there are iPod accessories to accommodate your stereos. The first of these is the Belkin TuneDok Car Holder that holds your iPod in place. Another one of these nifty iPod accessories is the Sony Car Cassette Adapter that connects your iPod to the car's cassette player. And, last but not least, is another one of those wonderful iPod accessories, the Griffin iTrip FM Transmitter. You can play your iPod through the FM radio of your car. All it requires to work is the iPod dock connector. It draws a small amount of power from your iPod and doesn't use any batteries.

You can really personalize your iPod in many exciting ways. These iPod accessories not only improve your iPod but is also the number one status symbol for any hardcore iPod lover.

About The Author

Susan Miller writes for several web sites, including http://club-product.com andhttp://reviewssource.com.
Article provided by Articlecity.com

iPods- Basic Information You Need To Know

Let's face the fact. iPods are the hottest things to have these days. Just about everybody has one or wants to get one. It's an all in one gadget that seems to do wonders.

iPods are capable of playing music while you are on the move, organizing your personal and business commitments, storing photos which you can proudly display to your friends at the touch of a button.

Since May 2005, Mecedes-Benz, announced that they were integrating the Apple iPod Interface Kit in their passenger vehicles. How cool is that? Very!

Just when you thought that things could not get better, the iPod mini was released complete with cool accessories like:

• Apple remote - Universal Docks support this. You can connect it to a stereo or television, plug it in the Dock and control everything from there.

• USB power adapter- Easily charge your iPod while you are surfing the internet.

• AV connection kit- Play your favourite tunes, movies or photos on the television with a simple connection.

• Radio remote- Changing radio stations is a breeze with the remote. It is a wired remote.

• Universal dock – Basically this allows you to connect your iPod to the television or home entertainment system to view movies or display photos,etc.

• USB cable- You need this to connect your iPod to your computer.

• Camera connector- Tranfer your pretty pictures from your camera directly to your iPod

• In-ear headphones- Makes listening to music even better with its good bas response and quality audio.

You have some variety too. Since iPods come in models with 512MB or 1G. The prices are also very reasonable considering the tons of cool stuff you could do with an iPod. For about $100, you could pick up an iPod and be listening to Shakira's latest hit in minutes.

There are several points you need to consider so that you'll be able to make a wise decision when buying an iPod.

1.) iPod Nano

The iPod Nano is the most common model now. You have a coice of music,data and photos with this model and the colors are great. It is a slim model that will easily slide into your pocket.

2.) Battery life

The 4G model battery lasts about 8 hours roughly. Not too good. However, the latest 5G models have a battery life of about 14 hours.That's much better and the battery lasts much longer too.

3.) Color

Pretty standard color here. :)

4.)Video

In the past, video was not an option. Thankfully, things have improved and now with the iPod Video, you can have data, music, photo and video...all in one model. Just fantastic!

5.)iPod Shuffle

The iPod Shuffle is a slightly cheaper iPod model and suitable for those with a lower budget. It only supports music which you can listen to in a sequence or shufled. There is no screen or other features. If you only need an iPod to play music and don't really need the fancy features, this model would be a good pick.

You should be able to purchase an iPod from most good electronics stores. You could even buy one online.

Some websites are even giving away iPods free. Basically, you'll need to fill up some affiliate form and refer 5 friends to the site to do the same. It's a simple idea but you may face some difficulty getting friends to sign up. You could give it a try. There are many people who have received a free iPod in this manner. The rewards are good since the effort you put into it is minimal.

About The Author
John Abraham writes reviews for a gadget magazine. For more information visit http://ipod-info.wisdom-mall.com/Ipod-free.html
Article provided by Articlecity.com

3 Key Advantages of Buying iPod Products at a Discount Shopping Mall

Finding the iPod of your dreams is much easier now thanks to online discount shopping malls. Online malls offer many choices of brands, colors, styles, sizes and features that you may not find at a local retailer. Whether you're buying an iPod Nano with an LCD screen, and iPod video or other related electronics, you can almost always find what you need at an online mall, and often at a great price! Here are three advantages of buying an iPod at a discount shopping mall on the Web.

1. iPod Features and Benefits
When searching through an online discount shopping mall for an iPod, you can take your time and shop from your own home computer. You have time to read all the features and benefits, compare iPod brands carefully and even look at various styles and colors to find exactly what you need. Features of IPods might include an LCD monitor, song memory capabilities, menu selections, compatibility with iPod accessories, and control features for play, rewind, fast-forward, pause, etc.

Benefits can vary from one brand to the next. Some iPods are very small, even pencil-thin, so you can carry them around anywhere. Some iPods have fabulous sound quality. Others may offer lots of memory for storing up to 1,000 songs!

2. Discount Electronics
Another benefit of searching for your iPod at a discount shopping mall is you can hunt for online bargains. You might be surprised at how affordable on-sale electronics can be when you're shopping online. It's like having your own discount electronic store at your fingertips. There are amazing online bargains on items such as iPods, iPod videos, iPods with LCD monitors, iPod Nanos, digital cameras, MP3 players and other great electronic products.

Some discount shopping malls will include items such as headphones, cables, adaptors and helpful software with your iPod. You may have to dig deep to find the online bargains, but they're well worth the effort!

3. Shop for iPod Accessories
You can also shop for additional iPod accessories such as an iPod sleeve or other related products while at a discount shopping mall. If you can buy all your electronics products or accessories at one website, you'll save on shipping charges as well. Most discount shopping malls offer combined shipping rates for multiple orders. While shopping for an iPod, look around for other items you might need before clicking the "Checkout" button.

Keep these advantages in mind as you search for iPods or related electronics products. You can save time and money by taking advantage of a discount shopping mall on the Web!

About The Author

Chris Robertson is a published author of Majon International. Majon International is one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing and internet advertising companies on the web. Visit their main business resource web site at: http://www.majon.com