Dress Up Your iPod with Primitive Black and White Films!

I didn't expect to play with the video features of my iPod. I mean... I just can't picture myself watching sitcoms or American Idol on the Metro. But you really don't have to settle with iTunes' offerings. Wouldn't you rather watch Un Chien Andalou (see above) while waiting to see the optometrist? Well, it's easy to do, and completely free! And legal!

First, go to archive.org and browse through their public domain libraries of films. Why, here's Buñuel 'n' Dali's frolic! Download the Quicktime films of your choosing, and then fetch a freeware utility like this one, convert the video to iPod mode**, drop it in your library, and voila! Night of the Living Dead on your iPod!

These are iTunes screenshots, by the way. To me there's something especially satisfying about putting raw, experimental or primitive films on such a high-tech device. Might I suggest Carnival of Souls?

Or how about the mesmerizing, nightmarish Daughter of Horror?

And don't forget the cartoons!

Nosferatu, ancient training films, outdated travelogues, newsreels... now isn't that better than watching Lost re-runs?

**UPDATE: You no longer need to use a third-party utility to convert films to iPod format. Simply drop the film you wish to convert into your iTunes playlist, select the file, and then choose "convert to iPod" (duh) from the "advanced" menu. It's still slow, but it's nicely integrated.