Um...just curious: How exactly does a software package that comes with Archos help the iPod user? It says right on that page that you can download it right from there. I wasn't charged or even asked to sign up for anything. Why bother? Most iPod users get theri stuff from iTunes. Many, many iPod users will only watch what iTunes offers them so they'll have no need for it. Plus, it encourages iPod users to buy things from iTunes if they don't know of ways of getting other forms of video, yet still allows those that do seek it, the opportunity they are looking for.
He asked a question. He got my answer. Since when are we discouraged from weighing in on a given subject?
Never said it does. I just had to Mention the MP4SP because if using this Podner is for "simplifying video conversion" then it wouldn't be fair to Archos who got bad rep from quite a few people for having a video conversion process that is "too complicated" when these two programs are almost the same. I thought it was a shareware and not freeware. I could be mistaken though. There are no complaints from me if it's free.
That song sounds familiar -- was it written by The Trolls? Slight OT question, but does Apple make any money off of I-tunes and does it stand to make money with video? I know they claim that they don't, but seems hard to believe given the volume.
What is it, 10 cents a download per audio track? I think I read video was a bit more, but I don't know the exact amount. I'd have to imagine they're making a little money off it, but that's tough to know without any idea of their deals with the artists and record labels they're working with.
Technically if you buy Quicktime 7 you'll get the same capabilities, for $20 more. Otherwise here are some scattered programs out there, but any freeware ones are complicated, and the shareware ones are more expensive than QT7. Give it a little time and I'd be willing to bet a Windows-friendly version of Podner (or something very similar) comes out.
As Chicago said, simpler programs that are free will appear with time and popularity of video ipods. For now, you can try this (how-to guide here). I don't think it's much easier to use than QTPro though. Then again I've never used either of them so I don't know what I'm talking about.