This guide will show you the basic step how to convert video(MOV, AVI, MPG, TS, VOB, DV) to iPod mp4 format using free tools.

Tools required:
QuickTime Pro($30) or Quicktime Alternative(free)
MPEG StreamClip
(3ivx if your source is AVI DivX or XviD)

Guide:
First install Quicktime Pro or Quicktime Alternative
Download MPEG StreamClip (Windows version), extract the MPEG_StreamClip.exe from the zip archive and double click to run it.

Open the the video in MPEG StreamClip, File->Open Files (Hold in ctrl to select several files)
Select File->Export to MPEG-4
Click on the iPoD to select iPoD format profiles, 640x480 (4:3 Fullscreen), 640x360 (16:9 Widescreen), etc. Higher frame size means better quality but it also requires that you use a bit higher bitrate which means bigger output file size.
Set the Data Rate to change the output file size. Higher output file size means better quality. Try different settings and see how it looks like.
Last click Make MP4 to convert!
Done.



If you want more information about StreamClip open the pdf guide that is included in the MPEG StreamClip zip download.