iPod hard-drive access question

[rii namuras]

(Okay, I am the new owner of a 60bg iPod. However, because the only computer that runs anything higher than Windows ME is my dad's laptop - which he uses for work - I have to use in order to update my iPod because it's the only one that'll run iTunes. My question is - would it be possible for me, if on my dad's laptop, I selected that hard-drive access would be allowed, and that I manually update it rather than it automatically syncing, would I be able to download AMVs on this computer, put them onto the iPod, and still be able to put a ripped DVD (which would go on my dad's laptop anyways) on the iPod? I want to know because I while I want to put AMVs on my iPod, I don't neccessarily want to download them onto my dad's laptop since it's a work laptop.)

(Also - when doing the hard-drive access, I'm assuming you can put stuff in certain playlists? e.g. I could put AMVs into Music Videos?)

(edit: Also again, what type of file-type do I need? The movie files I have on right now are MP4s, but most of the AMVs are either .avi or .wmv )

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Harddrive access is simply put: Harddrive access. You can't sync in music or anything of the sorts.

If your dad's laptop is Win2k or higher, he can have itunes. (which you already mentioned) You need his laptop to be able to sync music and movies.

You could probably be able to use your ipod has hard-drive space to carry an AMV from your ME computer to your dad's work laptop, then sync it from there. The only issue I could think of is whether or not your ME computer will be able to recognize the ipod drivers.

[rii namuras]

(I can access the iPod from this computer, yes - I can access notes, calendar and contacts.)

(Nyu. So that means I need iTunes in order to make something playable on the iPod? That stinks.)

(But regardless, if I moved them onto my dad's laptop, would the .avi and .wmv files still play on the iPod without having to convert them to a different file type?)

[Mr. SmartyPants]

(But regardless, if I moved them onto my dad's laptop, would the .avi and .wmv files still play on the iPod without having to convert them to a different file type?)

I believe they need to be in an mpeg4 format, I don't know if iTunes can convert it from an avi to an mpeg4. I doubt it though.

There are some converters on the internet though.

[rii namuras]

(Hmm. Okay then. Thanks.)

[samuraidragon]

iTunes can't convert avi to mp4, but it might be able to convert wmv. If you try a google search for avi to mpeg converter, you should be able to find something.

In response to your earlier question, your iPod can only play mp4 files, including H.264 encoded mp4 (if you don't know what that is, don't worry about it).