What Format Are iPod Videos In?
Videos optimized to play on Apple's iPod are supposed to carry the M4V file extension. This video file will contain video encoded in the h.264 codec and audio in the AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) format.
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Video Encoding
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Any video transferred to an iPod must be encoded as a M4V file, a type of MPG-4. It doesn't necessarily have to be encoded with h.264; however, Apple states that this is the ideal format to optimize performance.
Audio Encoding
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Apple states that to obtain ideal performance from your iPod with a video, the audio embedded in the M4V file should be encoded as AAC.
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iTunes
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To actually encode a video file and make it optimized and ready to be transferred to an iPod, you can use Apple's iTunes software application. If your video file is in your iTunes library, click on it once to highlight it. Then click "Advanced" in the application bar and choose "Create iPod or iPhone Version." This will automatically create a new M4V video file optimized for an iPod.
QuickTime Pro
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Another way to make a video iPod-ready is by using QuickTime Pro. Open your video in QuickTime Pro and click "File" and "Export" from the application bar; this will bring up a new window. In the drop down box next to "Export," choose "Movie To iPod" and then click "Save." This will create a new M4V file that will play on an iPod.
Incompatible Formats
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Many formats, including those with the file extensions AVI, MPEG, RTS, SWF or FLV, will not play on an iPod. Even QuickTime's native format, MOV, is not the correct video format for an iPod. You must use the M4V format.
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