Put OGM Files On A Video iPod
Welcome to the site. Our most popular posts are a series of video tutorials on How To Use Your Mac As A Server. We also answer your Mac questions. Just Ask FMB Feel free subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
When I ordered by new iPod, I got it mostly because it could play video. My plan from the beginning was to convert all my collected TV shows to be iPod ready. So far, I have successfully converted all episodes from The Office and Scrubs. The shows look and sound great. To convert them I used a couple of the great free programs available. (e.g., iSquint)
My next project will be a big one. I have every episode from the ten years of Friends. This one is more difficult though, and I’m hoping someone else will have some good suggestions on how it can be improved. You see, all of my episodes are OGM files. None of the free converters for iPods will convert OGM files. (VLC is the only player I found that can even play them.)
My current process works, but is quite drawn out. Here are the steps (in case others are looking to do the same thing.)
- Use D-Vision to demux the OGM file. (My episodes are split into AVI and OGG files.)
- Again, use D-Vision to convert the OGG file to MP3.
- Using Quicktime Pro, I open the AVI file in one window and the freshly converted MP3 in another window.
- Select all of the MP3 and Copy it to the clipboard.
- Select the window with the AVI and choose Edit >Add To Movie.
- Export the movie to iPod.
That is a lot of steps to something that could surely be more simple. In my searching, I was able to find some ways to do it quickly on a PC (here), but no easy way to do it on a Mac.(<–Did I just write that? Ouch.)

November 15th, 2005 at 3:19 pm
I’m no guru, but I am guessing mplayer can do this. Specifically mencoder from the command line.
try:
./mencoder.exe -ovc raw -ofps 15 -nosound -vf
scale=160:-2,expand=160:128,format=bgr24 YourVideoNameHere.ogg -o ipodmovie.avi
I am getting most of the specifics from here - http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10163_7-6279061-2.html
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10163_7-6279061-6.html
November 15th, 2005 at 9:50 pm
Larry, great tip.
If anyone wants to throw together some new freeware for the Mac that can accomplish this, I’d be happy to make sure it gets a prominent spot on http://FreeMacWare.com. I know some people who know some people.
November 16th, 2005 at 8:20 am
That’s actually designed for a much older Ipod video hack (using ipodlinux.)
you could probably use much more liberal settings with mencoder.
does ffmpegx control mencoder?
November 30th, 2005 at 10:49 am
Check out the VLC section of this article. It will do what you need it to do. I presume you can do the same using VLC on a Mac.
http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000583063891/
December 5th, 2005 at 3:23 pm
[…] When I first got my video capable 5G iPod, I took the time to convert all of my favorite TV shows for the iPod. I got done with the process and was just amazed at how great the shows looked on the screen. […]
September 3rd, 2006 at 10:16 pm
i also have a ipod, but i have never known how to put OGM Files On A Video iPod. thanks for your steps!
September 30th, 2006 at 10:42 am
couldn’t these steps be made into automator actions/workflows? that would solve all of our problems.
July 4th, 2007 at 12:22 am
This is exactly what I expected to find out after reading the title Put OGM Files On A Video iPod. Thanks for informative article
September 13th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
hi
i have no idea what you r talking about i just wanna no how 2 put movies on ur confusing me
plz makethis simple 4 me
March 11th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
i have found some of the information useful i guess but i am a little confused. you see i have the entire series of new dominion tank police (anime) on .ogm
i was unaware but hopeful that the ipod could play them but shouldnt there already be a convertor instead of going through all that !!!!!!!!
well i tell you now im going to create one !!!!!!!!!!
run-away.train@hotmail.com
add that and i will keep you posted
OGM for the ipod baby!!!
its a revoloution!!!!
any support would be great =]
March 11th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
actually it seams i have been thwarted =[
there is a converter available that can convert between ogm to practically anything
http://www.avs4you.com/AVS-Video-Converter.aspx?type=GoogleAdWordsSearch&gclid=CJHRnqOThpICFQxcQgodT2jn9w
theres the link
=[ bit depressd now was looking forward to making one lol
anyway love out to all the mac users
love from WALES,UK