How-To: Convert YouTube videos for iPod playback
A few days back Will Feng emailed in requesting help converting downloaded YouTube videos for playback on Apple’s 5th generation iPod. After the completion of this tutorial, Windows users will have the luxury of loading their iPod video players with enough entertaining content to last the rest of this cold winter. I apologize ahead of time. This tutorial is obviously geared towards Windows users. Fret not for I have done my homework and discovered that OSX users can accomplish the same results with a little drag n’ drop magic and a small app called iSquint. If memory serves me right, I was successful at converting FLV files on my dear friends iBook (Syl wanna trade?).

[Windows users], follow the tutorial from top to bottom and you’ll be downloading, converting, and bursting your spleen with laughter as you squint at humorous YouTube videos on your little iPods.
- The first step requires that you acquire the actual FLV (Flash Video File) of your choice from YouTube. Easier done than said, or vice versa, depending on how well you can follow the directions found here: How-To: Download FLV videos from YouTube.
- Download and install the RivaFLVencoder from here (previously mentioned by Dan here). Once you’ve installed Riva, go ahead and start the application.
- You’ll notice that the interface is as simple as they come. Assuming you’ve already downloaded your video_file_name.flv file to your desktop, select ‘Browse’ from the ‘Input’ area. Locate your previously saved FLV file and select ‘Open’.
- Your FLV file is now loaded and ready for encoding using the Riva encoder. If you look in the ‘Output’ area, you’ll notice that Riva has conveniently selected an ‘Output Directory’ [where the converted file will be saved] and the ‘Destination video file’. The output filename still has the FLV file extension (which we do not want). Before hitting the ‘Encode’ button towards the bottom of the window, change FLV to AVI. Once you’ve added the appropriate title and file extension, select ‘Encode’ and wait for Riva to work it’s magic.
- After the completion of the encoding process, you will find a new AVI video file located on your desktop.
- The final step involves the actual conversion to the iPod MP4 format. There are two options depending on your resources or personal preferences. The first is to utilize Quicktime Pro’s export feature to convert the AVI file. The second choice is to use the Videora iPod Converter.
Enjoy! An unlimited video entertainment resource now converted and saved on your iPod Video.
The Riva encoder offers a plethora of video conversion options which I trust most of you may have the interest or time to play with. Personally, I felt that the default settings were more than capable for the task.
Related:
// How-To: Convert and crop WMV files for playback on iPod Video
