How to Copy DVDs Onto an iPod
Many DVDs these days come with free digital downloads, allowing you to instantly transfer your movies onto an iPhone or iPod. Older DVDs, however, may not offer this service, since iPods were not such an indelible part of the home entertainment landscape when they were released. Not to worry. A free software package known as HandBrake lets you rip movies onto your computer, where they can then be easily transferred to your iPod.
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Instructions
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Go to handbrake.fr and download a copy of HandBrake for your particular computer. It offers versions for Mac, Windows and Linux.
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Insert the DVD into your computer and open the HandBrake software. Click on the "Source" icon and then click on the DVD when the menu pops up. Select any file you see; HandBrake should then scan the whole disc and find the movie for you.
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Press the "Picture Settings" button on HandBrake to adjust the size of the movie image. A full-size image can be run on your computer, but if you're just downloading it onto an iPod, you can make the image smaller and thus decrease the size of the file (letting you fit more movies onto your iPod). HandBrake also has a handy tool on the side of the window, letting you select an appropriate size automatically. Simply pick "iPod High-Rez" or "iPod Low-Rez" to match your desires.
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Click the "Start" button to begin ripping the DVD onto the computer. It may take multiple hours, so it's best to do this before you go to bed or have something to do away from the computer for awhile.
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Open up iTunes on your computer and check the "Movies" menu. Your ripped movie should be there. If it isn't, find the movie file on your computer, then drag it into the iTunes window. It should automatically copy itself onto iTunes.
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Connect your iPod onto your computer and wait for it to boot up. Click the iPod symbol on the iTunes menu, then click the "Movies" tab. You should see a display covering all of the movies in your iTunes folder. Check the box next to the movie you just ripped and push the "Sync" button.
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Wait for the iPod to sync, then unplug it when iTunes directs you to. The movie should now be on your iPod.
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Tips & Warnings
You may need to engage in trial and error to find the file that contains the movie. (Older versions of HandBrake don't always differentiate between the movie itself and extra features on the DVD.) if you're having trouble, check the movie's running time and use that as a guide: the file you want will match the running time precisely.
There's still some question about the legality of using products like HandBrake. Use it only with DVDs you own and to not distribute your iPod files to anyone else.
