If Christmas saw you unwrapping presents to reveal a video iPod, by now you're probably stuck for what to put on it. If you fancy watching your own DVDs, iVideoToGo for iPod is for you.
As the name suggests, the software is somewhat limited and if you don't have an iPod there's no guarantee that the video files output will work on other devices. The final MPEG-4 format video output is fairly universal though, so it should work on Windows Mobile and Palm OS handhelds. This isn't software that you would use for ripping DVDs for watching directly from a hard disk either - the resolution is limited to 320 x 240, which is too low to watch films on a PC monitor.
Ripping DVDs to a PC takes time - a two-hour feature film will need to be left running overnight. The software is clever enough to rip just the movie though, and it won't waste time converting extras.
Although low resolution, the overall quality of the final MPEG-4 movies was excellent. Sound was in sync with the video and best of all, the software manages to keep down file sizes. Our two-hour film weighed in at just over 500MB, so even with a hefty music collection on your video iPod, you'll have room for a few films. And since MPEG-4s are compatible with Apple's iTunes software, you put your film on the device in exactly the same way as you would a new song on your iPod.
The only slight catch with iVideoToGo is that technically, it's illegal to use it to rip DVD movies. A disclaimer on the InterVideo website states, "You may only use this software to copy material in which you own the copyright or have obtained permission to copy from the copyright owner." But, as long as you rip movies for personal use, the chances of getting a knock on the door are remote.
System Specifications
REQUIRES Windows XP, Intel Pentium III 600MHz processor, 128MB RAM, 50MB hard disk space (installation only)
Verdict
Want to watch movies on the move? Use iVideoToGo to transfer your favourite DVDs to your video iPod. Simple to use, but it's only good for iPods, and its legality for DVD movies may deter some.
Author: Dave Stephenson
Computer Buyer Online