Frequently asked questions about viewing and syncing video with iTunes and iPod

With the latest version of iTunes, you can play videos and even sync them to some iPod models. Here are answers (provided by Apple) to the most asked questions about video playback in iTunes and on iPod.

What are the requirements for playing increased quality movies, TV Shows, or music videos in iTunes?
What are the requirements for playing video on iPod?
What video content works with iTunes and iPod?
How does purchased video differ from other video?
Can I transfer my DVDs into iTunes and sync to my iPod?
How do I view a video in iTunes?
Can I sync my own video files from iTunes to iPod?
Do I need to buy QuickTime Pro to create videos for iPod?
Can I display video from my iPod on a TV?
Can I view video podcasts on iPod?
Can I view widescreen movies?
Does the video need to be encoded in a special way?
Why do I sometimes not see video but I hear audio and other times I don't hear audio but I see video?
Can I burn iTunes Store Videos to DVD?

What are the requirements for playing increased quality movies, TV Shows, or music videos in iTunes?

You need iTunes 7 or later and QuickTime 7.1.3 or later with:
A Macintosh with a PowerPC G4, G5, or Intel Core processor, at least 256MB of RAM, at least 16MB of video RAM, and Mac OS X version 10.3.9 or later. 

or

A 2 GHz Pentium class processor or better with Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 or later or Windows XP with a QuickTime-compatible audio card. Also make sure you have the latest Windows Service Pack using Microsoft Update. You also need at least 512 MB RAM and 32 MB of video memory.

Notes: A broadband Internet connection for accessing the iTunes Store is recommended.
What are the requirements for playing video on iPod?

You will need the following items:
iPod classic, iPod nano (3rd generation), or iPod (5th generation)
High-powered USB port (USB 2.0 recommended)
iTunes 7 or later to transfer video
Video content that is in an iPod compatible format.
What video content works with iTunes and iPod?

iTunes:
Video content purchased from the iTunes Store.
QuickTime and MPEG-4 movie files that end in ".mov", ".m4v", or ".mp4" and are playable in QuickTime Player.
Video podcasts.

iPod:

Video content purchased from the iTunes Store.
Videos that have been converted for iPod with QuickTime 7 Pro using the Creating Video for iPod tutorial.
Videos that have been converted for iPod with iMovie, Final Cut Pro, and others. Click here for an iMovie HD tutorial.
Video Podcasts that have been converted for iPod
See below for detailed movie specifications.
How does purchased video differ from other video?

Note: Videos purchased from the iTunes Store have FairPlay digital rights management embedded in the files and are in a format that can be readily synced to a video capable iPod. Just like with music you purchase from the iTunes Store, you own the videos you purchase. You can authorize up to five computers to play purchased videos, and you can sync the video to as many iPods as you like. An iPod can contain purchased content from up to five accounts; iTunes will not allow you to add data from a sixth account to iPod.

Can I transfer my DVDs into iTunes and sync to my iPod?

iTunes and QuickTime Pro do not support importing content from DVD videos.

How do I view a video in iTunes?

Can I sync my own video from iTunes to iPod?

Yes, as long as the video file is in a format that works with iPod. To learn how to export a movie for iPod play, see the Creating Video for iPod tutorial, and then add the resulting file to your iTunes Library.
Do I need to buy QuickTime Pro to create videos for iPod?

While QuickTime Pro is an easy and inexpensive option for creating video optimized for iPod, once you've installed QuickTime 7.0.3 or later, most applications that allow you to create (i.e., export) QuickTime movies should also allow you to create video optimized for iPod. For the Mac, examples are iMovie and Final Cut Pro. Click here for steps to export using iMovie HD.

After upgrading to the free QuickTime version 7.0.3, any application that uses the QuickTime export panel will see the new "Export to iPod" option. If you want to use QuickTime Player to export, then you will need QuickTime Pro.

Can I display video from my iPod on a TV?

Absolutely. For details, see this document.

Can I view video podcasts on iPod?

Yes, as long as the video has been correctly encoded using the Creating Video for iPod tutorial. Otherwise, the podcast will not sync to iPod.

Can I view widescreen movies?

iPod (5th generation)
Yes, there is a Video setting for Widescreen (Select Videos > Video Settings > Widescreen to turn on or off). When viewing a widescreen movie with the Widescreen setting turned on, black bars display above and below the picture. If the Widescreen setting is set to off while viewing a widescreen movie, the left and right edges are trimmed but there are no black bars. If you are viewing a movie that is not in widescreen format, this setting has no effect.

iPod classic and iPod nano (3rd generation) 
Yes, on iPod classic and iPod nano (3rd generation), there is a setting for Fullscreen (Select Videos > Video Settings > Fullscreen to turn on or off). When viewing a widescreen movie with the Fullscreen setting turned off, black bars display above and below the picture. If the Fullscreen setting is set to on while viewing a widescreen movie, the left and right edges are trimmed but there are no black bars. If you are viewing a movie that is not in widescreen format, this setting has no effect.

Does the video need to be encoded in a special way?

iPod can play the following video formats:
H.264
File formats: .m4v, .mp4, and .mov 
Video: Up to 768 kbits/sec, 320 x 240, 30 frames per second (fps), Baseline Profile up to Level 1.3.
Audio: AAC-LC up to 160 kbits/sec, 48 Khz, and stereo audio.
MPEG-4
File formats: .m4v, .mp4, and .mov 
Video: Up to 2.5 Mbits/sec, 480 x 480, 30 fps, Simple Profile. 
Audio: AAC-LC up to 160 kbits/sec, 48 Khz, stereo audio.

See the QuickTime Tutorials for steps to create video with QuickTime Pro.

Why do I sometimes not see video but I hear audio and other times I don't hear audio but I see video?

If you hear audio, but don't see video, click here. If you see video, but don't hear audio, click here.
Can I burn iTunes Store Videos to DVD?

You can save your iTunes Store movies to data DVDs for backup purposes (if you have a supported DVD burner), but these DVDs will not play in a DVD player.

iPod How To

The following list is the best of the Apple How To documents.

If you need iPod help, have questions about your iPod or searching for specific questions then this is a great starting point. Bookmark this page and you'll save time when a question comes up about your iPod. We have paid attention to the most frequent questions on the forums - and have found the solutions. We have browsed hundreds of Apple iPod Support documents and organized them so you don't have to.

iPod Trouble shooting tips How to Update iPod - It is important that you have the latest version of iTunes and then using iTunes determine if you need to update your iPod software. How to Restore the iPod - It is important to understand the difference between "update" and "restore". Update simply installs the software that controls iPod and does not affect the songs and files stored on iPod's disk. Restore erases the iPod's disk and restores iPod to its original factory condition. So you'll lose all your songs and videos unless you have a backup. How to Reset iPod - Learn how to reset or restart iPod following a freeze. If your iPod is frozen or won't turn on, it may be because iPod is paused or the Hold switch is in the locked position, check that first. All music and files are saved, but some customized settings may be lost. Other customized settings, such as Bookmarks, On-The-Go Playlists, Shuffle, Backlight timer, and so forth are preserved from the last time the hard drive turned on. How to Identify iPod Models - This document will help you determine the model of iPod you have as well as the latest version of iPod software available for your model How to Find The iPod Serial Numbe You'll need this for service and registration. Engraved on back of metal surface. If you can't read it then this document will show you how to find it. What do do about Sad iPod icon and folder icons Using the iPod as a hard disk How to Change the iPod Display Language - Your iPod is multilingual and can be set to display one of many languages. If you've accidentally chosen the wrong language for your iPod, follow the steps on this page to change the language display. How to Use the iPod As an External Hard Disk - You can use your iPod as a drive (hard drive or flash drive depending on your iPod) to store and transfer data files on (also known as disk mode) read more How to Find Out How Much Space Is Left on iPod Songs and data files take up space. To see how much space is left on your iPod. iPod Software 1.3 or later, and 2.0 and later 1.Select Settings from the main menu. 2.Select About. How to Disconnect iPod From Your Computer If you haven't set up iPod to "Enable disk use" or "Manually manage music and video," just unplug it when it says "OK to Disconnect" or "Charging" to disconnect it safely. If you use iPod with the "Enable disk use" or "Manually manage music and video" options turned on, you must eject it before disconnecting it from your computer. Read more and if it doesn't eject then read more Tips on iPod battery use How to Get the Most Out of the iPod Battery To get the most out of one charge of iPod's battery, install the latest iPod software, use the Hold switch, and keep iPod at room temperature read more How to Charge iPod's Internal Battery Important: Your iPod will stop charging if the computer, or laptop, it's connected to enters standby, hibernation, or sleep mode. Connect ithe iPod directly to a computer's USB port and make sure standby, hibernation, or sleep mode is turned off. How to play songs While Charging the iPod Also iPod Battery Help and what to do if your iPod won't charge Playing songs and using the playlist How to Play or Pause a Song on the iPod To play select the song using the scroll wheel and Select button, press the Play button. Press Play again to pause the song. If you have selected another song and you press the Play/Pause button, the new song plays immediately. Note: You can also select an artist, album, or playlist and press Play to play songs. How to Transfer Songs to your iPod How to Transfer Specific Playlists to iPod How to Delete Songs or Playlists from iPod How to Browse the iPod by Artist How to Browse the iPod by Album Title How to Browse for a Song by Title You can find any song stored on iPod by scrolling through an alphabetical list of song titles. Select Songs in the main menu, then scroll to a song and press the Play button.You can also look for songs by artist or by album. How to Skip to the Next or Previous Song on the iPod Using iPod Controls How to Set iPod to Repeat or Shuffle Songs How to Use iPod's Controls How to Fast-Forward and Rewind a Song on the iPod How to Put the iPod to Sleep. Press and hold the Play/Pause button until the iPod screen turns off. Press any button to turn iPod on. If you have an iPod shuffle, slide the switch on the back to the Off position. How to Disable Automatic Updating of iPod To transfer individual songs and playlists manually, without erasing music from iPod, you must disable automatic updating How to Navigate iPod Menus How to Disable iPod's Buttons Using the Hold Switch Don't forget to use the hold switch when you put your iPod in your pocket or purse - it will prevent it from automatically turning on and running down your battery read more How to Turn on the Backlight How to Turn the iPod On and Off About Sleep, Deep Sleep and Hibernation How to Adjust the iPod Sound Volume How to Set the Sleep Timer You can set iPod to turn off automatically after a specific period of time, useful for listening until you fall asleep. How to Set the iPod Screen Contrast How to Set the iPod Backlight Timer iPod help - miscellaneous How to Connect the iPod to Your Home or Car Stereo How to Use the Apple Headphones with the iPod How to Use Headphones or Speakers With iPod How to Rename Your iPod How to Use iPod Calendar Alarms How to Prevent iTunes From Opening Automatically How to Clean the iPod How to Share iPod on a Computer With Multiple Users How to manually set iPod Disk Mode New - How to Do it your self iPod repair If you have a broken LCD or cracked screen. Step by Step How to replace iPod Nano LCD screen Step by Step How to replace iPod Nano 2nd Generation LCD screen Step by Step How to replace iPod Video LCD screen If you need to replace your iPod battery. Step by Step How to replace iPod Nano battery Step by Step How to replace iPod Video battery Step by Step How to replace iPod Mini battery New - Find out about these icons and many more, iPod Icons page More help available here. Try our Apple iPod Help more how tos, FAQ, latest Apple iPod documents