Rip Your Own DVDs

• Though iTunes allows you to import digital copies from your media collection, it is also possible to rip DVD movies to your collection. You will need special software to perform this operation (such as ImToo or HandBrake; see "Resources"). This software will re-encode the video portion of your favorite DVDs (excluding options like menu interfaces, subtitle and audio options). Once the video has been re-encoded, you can import it into iTunes and then sync it with your iPod.
  
  

Compress Your Videos

• If you have big video files taking up a lot of space on your iPod, then you may want to look into compressing them for future use. To compress your videos, you will have to re-encode them and change the output settings on the copy you ripped from the original DVD. When the video file has been re-encoded, it should be much smaller. However, some audio/video quality may be lost, so if top-notch quality is important to you, this is not a recommended tip to use.
  
  

Connect iPod to Television

• Watching movies on your iPod's small screen can be convenient, but if you are sharing home movies with your friends or family, you may want to view your iPod videos on the big screen. There are two ways to connect your iPod to the television. Either purchase an Apple-branded iPod TV-out cable or dock and plug it into the data port on your iPod (and to the TV) or purchase a much cheaper video camera-to-analog cord and plug that in to your iPod's headphone jack (and TV analog inputs). Both of these methods will allow you to view videos from your iPod on the TV. Once the iPod is connected, simply go to the settings menu, select "TV Out" and then enjoy your media.