Copying iPod data

[fergus]

Hi. I'm new to the world of iPods and have a few questions: (I'm looking at buying a 60GB 5G video version)

1) is it possible to copy iPod to iPod?
2) If not possible, can I connect my iPod to loads of different friends' PCs to collate all their songs?
3) If I can connect to multiple hard drives and down load from them all, when I connect to my home PC, can I sync up the storage in my iPod with my empty hard drive on the PC?
4) In terms of watching videos, is it possible to rip any TV program into MP4 (or whatever format is used) then watch this as per a video jukebox (Archos, etc)

Thanks in advance - apologies if some of these questions have been asked before.

[pies]

Im guessing ipod to ipod would most likely be a nono as the music industry would have a fit

[thepassenger]

fergus said:

Hi. I'm new to the world of iPods and have a few questions: (I'm looking at buying a 60GB 5G video version)

Got one of those myself. Very nice and the screen isn't half bad for watching a video or two on a plane.

fergus said:

1) is it possible to copy iPod to iPod?

Yes, I have seen a video ipod and an ipod nano linked to each other via the dock connector. However the cable is reportedly pretty naff and often screws up the transfer. Best to avoid it.

fergus said:

2) If not possible, can I connect my iPod to loads of different friends' PCs to collate all their songs?

So long as they are running iTunes or some other software that can copy music to the ipod then yes, you can do this. However, if you do not own a copy of the original work doing so is illegal and punishable with large fines and stuff.

fergus said:

3) If I can connect to multiple hard drives and down load from them all, when I connect to my home PC, can I sync up the storage in my iPod with my empty hard drive on the PC?

Yes & No. With iTunes the copy is only one way (i.e. PC -> ipod) their are utilities avaliable which will let you backup the music, video and pictures on to your computer though. I belive several were mentioned in a thread from last week?

fergus said:

4) In terms of watching videos, is it possible to rip any TV program into MP4 (or whatever format is used) then watch this as per a video jukebox (Archos, etc)

Not sure about video jukeboxes. Quicktime can play the ipod videos without problem; I suspect other Windows software can as well but I haven't investigated.
As for converting to ipod video format, google provided me with a link to a freebie convertor a while back cant for the life of me remember what it was called though.

[niva441]

I've backed up by copying the ipod contents to my hard drive, then making that area a library in itunes. Later I've reimported the tracks to the ipod.

[fergus]

thanks for the tips guys!

[Rotaree]

thepassenger said:

Got one of those myself. Very nice and the screen isn't half bad for watching a video or two on a plane.

I've got a 60gb Ipod - can you tell me where I can get hold of videos to play on it and is there anywhere you can get hold of TV programmes?

[Murph7355]

You can get third party software to allow data to be copied freely between iPods (though I'm not convinced directly linking two iPods without a computer is possible).

Software is also available to rip video into iPod format.

Google is your friend