Guide: Using Nero Recode to convert DVD's (and other video types) to iPod format.

[smokafatty]

**I need people to test this guide out. I don't have a video iPod for a few more weeks so theres no way for me to properly test it. Feel free to post any success's/failures/suggestions/errors in this guide.**

This guide will show you how to use Nero Recode to convert DVDs and other video formats to work on your iPod. Nero Recode is a seperate program that comes included with nero 6 and 7. I used Nero 7 for the pictures so they may be slightly different on Nero 6 but all the options should be the same.

To convert video types other than DVD skip to step #2.


Using Nero Recode to convert DVD's (and other video types) to iPod format.

1. First you need to rip your dvd to your pc. One of the most popular free programs for this is DVD Decrypter.

DVD Decrypter Download (http://www.doom9.org/Soft21/Rippers/SetupDVDDecrypter_3.5.4.0.exe) - Guide to using DVD Decrypter (http://www.doom9.org/dvddec.htm)


2. Start up Nero Recode.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c19/smokey77/untitled1a.jpg

*Note: If you have Nero 6, make sure you get the free updates found here (http://www.nero.com/nero6/eng/nero-up.php) or you may run into problems.


3. Click on "Recode DVDs and Videos to Nero Digital".

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4. Click on "Import Files".

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5. Highlight the movie and click "Add Title".

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c19/smokey77/untitled4.jpg


6. Click on "Video".

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c19/smokey77/untitled6.jpg

[smokafatty]

7. Click on the "Resize" tab and click the "Custom Resize" button. You will see a blue screen, input "320" in the bottom setting and input "224" in the right-side setting. If your video source is in Widescreen or "16:9" format, make sure "Letterboxing" is checked. If its not widescreen then make sure it is unchecked. When finished click the "Ok" button.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c19/smokey77/untitled7.jpg

*Note: You can experiment with different sizes for the aspect ratio. 320x224 is the recommended size because that is the size of the iPod screen. By making the video larger it will look better when viewing from a tv or pc screen. Also if you increase the aspect ratio you will get a better quality picture on your iPod but it will take up more room. Other aspect ratios that seem popular is 720x304 and 512x384. If you want to play around with the aspect ratios the rule to remember is when you multiply the two numbers together it has to be smaller than 230,400. Remember that if you play around with different aspect ratios that there is a chance of the video not playing on your iPod. For your first recode always start with the 320x224 setting.


8. Towards the bottom of the screen you will see the "More" button. Click that and select "Portable" in the Nero Digital Profile.

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9. Make sure "Fit to Target" is checked. Then click the "Next" button.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c19/smokey77/untitled6a.jpg - http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c19/smokey77/untitled6b.jpg


10. In the "Burn Options" specify where you want your video to be saved.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c19/smokey77/untitled10.jpg

[smokafatty]

11. Click on "Nero Digital Settings" and check the "Expert Mode" box. In the Profile menu click on "Encoding Method". You can choose either one-pass (lower quality but faster) or two-pass (higher quality but slower).

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12. Next click on "Advanced" in the menu and make sure you check the box for "Simple profile (Quicktime(TM) compatibility)"

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c19/smokey77/untitled13.jpg


13. Click "Burn" and the movie will start being recoded.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c19/smokey77/untitled14.jpg


14. Your movie should be converted in 30-60+ min depending on how many passes you choose, the size of your aspect ratio, and the length of the original movie. For the movie used here for testing which is 70 min long with an aspect ratio of 320x224 it took:
33 mins for one-pass
46 mins for two-pass.

I couldn't really tell any difference in video quality between the two. They both came out to around 700mb.

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Troubleshooting

Problem: Video plays in iTunes but after transferring to iPod I only get a blank screen and then resets to menu.
Solution #1: Update Nero 6, the first versions don't have the quicktime format support even though the checkbox is there.
Solution #2: Found when Encoding files at big resolutions, even if they are within the 230400 pixels limit. Try not to exceed 384 vertical resolution (512x384 being just the perfect resolution on 4:3 content for TV output).

Problem: Some videos fail to transfer to iPod.
Solution: A few people have reported that transfers starting failing after updating iTunes. Try to find an older version or see if theres a new update available.

Problem: I'm having audio/video sync issues.
Solution: Not sure....

I would like to thank Clint Ecker from arstechnica.com for his recode tutorial that this guide was partly based on.

[LiquidMercury]

Stickied this. :tup:

I'd test this for ya bub but I'd need Nero Recode to do it. ;)

[smokafatty]

You know that it comes bundled with nero 6 and above right?

[LiquidMercury]

I don't even HAVE Nero. Never liked it from many early Nero buggy releases years back. I can get a copy though. Thanks.

Edit: So, Nero Premium 7.0.1.4 will have it included then? ;)

[smokafatty]

Its the UK version (Premium=UK, Ultra=US) but theres no difference really, it should work fine.

[Susanowo]

Just a few things to add, I use Nero Recode for putting DVD's onto my iPod and it works great. The only thing I do differently is I uncheck the Fit to target box and then move the slider to 4Mbps for best quality, movies usually come out at around 1.5 Gb depending on length of movie. Another thing, I don't believe its necessary to select the portable profile, I have never done so and all of my movies turned out just fine. Otherwise great guide.

Edit: I just noticed that the only difference selecting portable does is reduce the maximum quality from 4mbps to 2mbps. Viewed on the ipod there is little difference noticed, and the file sizes are reduced to around 1Gb. So it really doesn't matter which setting you choose.

[smokafatty]

Thanks for the info Susanowo :) I'll update the guide in the next few days.