Wider, the First H.264 Video Content Bridge to iPod is Real

, at least as a reference design. Vydeo Integrated Systems today announced to potential manufacturers the design details of their Wider, a video content bridge for the iPod with video. Expected to be on the market this spring, Wider will connect video equipment to the video iPod and process DVDs, VCDs, MiniDV, VHS tapes and live television into an H.264 QuickTime format at 320x240 resolution file directly onto the iPod in real time, Vydeo claims.

Wider will accept s-video and composite video and audio inputs and supports both NTSC and PAL standards. Wider also has two USB 2.0 ports for transfers to and between a video iPod and a hard drive. It runs on Mac OS X 10.4.x and supports iCal events to schedule recordings.

The printed circuit board will be roughly 3" x 4" so devices should be fairly small. An eyeTV or computer will not be needed. No retail price has been set but Vydeo expects Wider to be relatively inexpensive.

Macs Only! broke the story on this potential device in December. More... [Bill Fox]