Wow. what a little fun toy this is.
I don't know what movie battery life will be, not too good I suspect, but man is it fun.
I got it this morning, and here's what I've learnt:
Video Conversion: Get a good video converting program. I'm using ImTOO iPod Movie Converter. It makes excellent .mp4 files (See Below) from HDTV to XVID to .AVI and .WMV. I'd like to try with something from the WMVHD free online collection, like a trailer in HD.

Resolution: For WS/16:9 movies, I'm using 320x180 (is 1.77:1) on ImTOO. 320x320 will not produce the proper aspect ratio. Other approx 16:9 ratios can be attempted, but I haven't yet.

From HDTV: If you have an active firewire port on an HDTV cable box, you can make 16:9 movies.
I took a sample from Letterman (12MB).
Letterman MP4 Clip (http://members.shaw.ca/wheresmyhd/letterman.mp4)
You can play it if you have iTunes 6 or QT7. It was 1980x1080 HD from CAPDVHS, converted to 320x180 in ImTOO into an .mp4 file.

I have to agree....at first, I thought - totally gimmicky. Similar to the ipod photo - what's the point. But to be sitting in an airport, or waiting in the car, totally cool to be able to watch the most recent episode of Bill Maher or Lost or whatever.

I got the 30GB, but then thought, for an extra C-note, double the capacity is a worthwhile investment.

I'm using Xilisoft's iPod Video Converter. I'll give ImTOO a look, though.

Just went and took a quick look at ImTOO - EXACTLY the same interface as Xilisoft's. Same company? What up with that?

It may be. So I bet if you are using Xilisoft, then its the same as bascially what I am getting.
I have a quesiton for you. Some of my audio isn't synched up after running ImTOO. Have you had this problem and what have you done about it?

Jesse did you get the 30 or 60 gig? Did you get the extended warranty?

30Gig, no warranty (only the Apple Extended Care is offered at school for $74). I know it covers battery mainly, but I didn't think it was necessary. Im sure I can go back and purchase it in a given time as well. (90 days I guess)

I haven't noticed any sync issues on mine.....six episodes of Bill Maher from BT, nip/tuck, George Carlin's HBO special, and a couple dvds.

btw, is it wrong if I'm "listening to" my video ipod while I'm driving? :)

How have your experiences been with the battery life?

I travel and the last thing I need is the battery to die in the middle of a flight. Thats why I never used my iPaq as an mp3 player and ended up buying a mini iPod.

So far not bad. I think if I was flying, I wouldn't be watching a video. I'd like more of a guaranteed power thing for video, like in a car. I'll try a mix of video and music and see what the battery life is like.

Nuje, does Xilisoft let you choose what audio track to encode when you have a .VOB file? I can't seem to change it on ImTOO.

I used DVD Decrypter in file mode (using none to create 1 large .VOB file), isolated the soundtrack I wanted, then ripped it to my hard drive. I took the .VOB file into ImTOO, but it didn't work, so I copied the info from the Xilisoft profile into the ImTOO and its currently converting. I'll let you know if it works.
HDTV works no problem. It's the DVD's that I want now, seeing as I have a large collection.

Successfully ripped and converted Moulin Rouge from DVD ro mp4.
I'm having troubles with another disc, as it has some audio track that isnt there show up when I try to rip the .VOB file.

Any reason for no TV shows on the Canadian iTunes?

I don't know how many I'd likely buy, but it would be nice to have the option now that the networks are jumping in.

There must be some rights issues.
If you switch to the US Music Store you can see all the shows available, but I don't know (or think) you can buy them off the American site.

New iPod software is available for ALL models, Jan 10, 2006.

New iPod software is available for ALL models, Jan 10, 2006.


I have read on iLounge that some people are having issues with some of their videos when they got the new update.

Huh...I put 4 vids on last night, all with no problems. I will keep an eye out. Thanks for the heads-up Richard.

My favorite is yasa ipod video converter (http://www.yasasoft.com/ipodvideoconverter/). It is much quick and supports converting most popular videos to ipod video. It works great to me so far.

http://www.yasasoft.com/ipodvideoconverter/

Does anyone else think this could be a great combination? What Apple OS tuner hardware is available? Fusion?

Specifications (http://www.apple.com/ca/macmini/whatsinside.html) Pictures (http://www.apple.com/macmini/gallery) Videos (http://www.apple.com/macmini/gallery/qtvr.html)

Pricing: 1.5GHz Single Core: $700, 1.66GHz Dual Core: $950.

Have u checked out the Elgato systems?

http://www.elgato.com/


PS As a side note I think the Mini's are now priced out of the introductory "new switcher" scheme of things.