Originally posted by: Bossk
Handbrake! That's what it is.
Then I convert to iPod video using iSquint. Actually, iSquint seems to be able to convert quite a few video file types to iPod ready format.
I'm not the best person to be giving advice as I have neither a video iPod or a PSP and have never used iSquint, but have you tried Instant Handbrake? It is another version of Handbrake that spits out appropriately sized videos for the iPod (and PSP).
Yep, Handbrake started its life as a BeOS program and was ported to Mac OS X and Linux. A Windows version is in the works.
Originally posted by: ReverendBeastly
I reccomend against iPods for two reasons:
1) Use of iTunes, a bloated and unnecessary program, is required.
2) You can't transfer things back onto a computer after you've transferred them to your iPod. You can delete the tracks from your iPod, yes, but you can't transfer them to your computer.
Both of these issues can be gotten around using various iTunes surrogate programs, but they're also issues that can be avoided if you go with another product, and you'd also probably be saving yourself $50 in the process.
Handbrake! That's what it is.
Then I convert to iPod video using iSquint. Actually, iSquint seems to be able to convert quite a few video file types to iPod ready format.
I'm not the best person to be giving advice as I have neither a video iPod or a PSP and have never used iSquint, but have you tried Instant Handbrake? It is another version of Handbrake that spits out appropriately sized videos for the iPod (and PSP).
Originally posted by: Bossk
These are both Mac programs for sure, but I think at least Handbrake is PC-format as well.
These are both Mac programs for sure, but I think at least Handbrake is PC-format as well.
Yep, Handbrake started its life as a BeOS program and was ported to Mac OS X and Linux. A Windows version is in the works.
Originally posted by: ReverendBeastly
I reccomend against iPods for two reasons:
1) Use of iTunes, a bloated and unnecessary program, is required.
2) You can't transfer things back onto a computer after you've transferred them to your iPod. You can delete the tracks from your iPod, yes, but you can't transfer them to your computer.
Both of these issues can be gotten around using various iTunes surrogate programs, but they're also issues that can be avoided if you go with another product, and you'd also probably be saving yourself $50 in the process.
You seem to be partly contradicting yourself here; you say iTunes is necessary, but this can be gotten around by using other programs (most media players now feature iPod connectivity, so it is possible whatever you already use is capable of it)? I'm not sure how this is a problem, unless you mean that you prefer just dragging your files straight to your player through your file browser. I find that most people prefer the opposite to you. I'm not saying your way is wrong, but both methods should be mentioned in any recommendations given so the person can figure out what way they would prefer. While for certain applications I much prefer the full manual control of file movement, in the case of hundreds of music files I much prefer the usage of iTunes-like programs for sorting and exporting of the data. I think the only time this is ever a problem is when people have a large portion of their audio files tagged poorly, which I couldn't stand!
As for the second problem, this is only true from within iTunes itself due to music piracy concerns. You do NOT need other programs to transfer your files off the iPod though, all it is is a hard drive so any file browser is more than capable of moving the files off it. You just need to unhide the folders, something REALLY easy to do in Windows as it is a general Explorer option (and due to their very nature, anyone likely wanting to transfer files off it usually has this option checked by default!) and just 'standard easy' in Mac and Linux (via a simple Terminal command, for Linux users this would generally be their default too).
What can't be so easily transfered is the certain meta-data from the iPod's database. This includes file play counts and ratings, neither of which I personally use; your usual tags are still included in the files themselves. If the database info actually was needed then this is what all those iPod ripper programs are for.
[edit]I should read what I write before posting![/edit]
[edit2]After all that I forgot to post a reason why an iPod may be a better option than a slightly cheaper competitor! Because of the mass saturation of the market there are literally hundreds of accessories for the various iPods (possibly thousands, I know last year there were 1000 officially licensed accessories). So if you need any accessories (cases, car audio systems, chargers, remotes, lanyards, straps, etc) then there will likely be many easily accessable options for you. All the competition gives you a variety of options and decent prices. Whereas if you buy a slightly cheaper competitor you generally will only find generic accessories that won't perfectly fit your model or more expensive specific accessories from the player's own manufacturor. In the end you may find yourself spending more than the iPod.
If you aren't in a rush then wait a couple of weeks. It is quite likely a new bunch of iPods will be released in mid-August with price drops (due to parts all getting cheaper now). This will also affect the prices of the current models, which may already be cheaper at some stores due to their impending DOOM! I bought my iPod just before a model change and ended up saving a heap over the previous week's prices.[/edit2]