How to Download Video to an iPod Nano

iPod nanos work the same way that other iPods do. Though its screen is very tiny, it can still show movies, videos and TV shows with a remarkable amount of clarity (though we wouldn't recommend watching "Lawrence of Arabia" on it). Downloading videos is easy when used in conjunction with the iTunes software necessary to run the iPod nano. It requires you to transfer the video into an iTunes-friendly format, then sync the nano up the same way you would with music.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• IPod nano with connector cable
• iTunes
• Quicktime Pro (for Mac) or Videora software (for PC)

1. If you have a Macintosh, use Quicktime Pro to open your video. If you have a PC, open it in Videora, a form of freeware that lets you convert videos to iTunes. (See Resources.)

2. In Quicktime, find the "Export" feature in the File menu on top of the screen. Select a destination for the new video (the desktop is usually best), and shift the Export setting to "Movie to iPod." Then click "Save." That will transfer it to an MPEG-4 format, which iTunes can read. It may take some time, so be patient. When it's done, open iTunes and drag the new file you have created over to the Movie or TV Shows folder in the iTunes window.

3. With Videora, select the proper term for your video under the "Convert" options ("DVD," "Online Video" or "Video File). Click "Normal" mode when the new window comes up (Power mode works for shifting videos into different formations besides MPEG-4). Pick the video you want to convert, find an output folder for it, give it a title and adjust the conversion settings to your liking. Videora uses prompters to help you through these functions--just point and click the ones you want. When you're finished, hit the "Start Converting" button. It should automatically send the video to iTunes when it's done.

4. Play the video in iTunes to make sure it has transferred properly.

5. Connect the iPod nano to the USB port in your computer. A little iPod symbol should pop up in the iTunes window. Select it and click on the "Movies" or "TV Shows" tab in the main iTunes window (whichever one contains the video file you created).

6. Click on the "Selected" button and check the box next to the video you want to upload. iPod nanos have comparatively small storage space, so you will likely want to pick and choose which videos you want rather than uploading them all.

7. Click on the "Sync" bar in the lower right-hand side of the window. The iPod nano will begin uploading your chosen video.

8. When the iPod nano has finished syncing, hit the eject button next to the symbol in the iTunes window, then unplug the cable from the USB port. The video should be on the iPod, ready to go.

Tips & Warnings

• The above instructions apply only to movies and videos that you didn't purchase from the iTunes store. iTunes automatically downloads any videos you purchase through it, meaning you just need to plug in the iPod nano and sync it up in order to download it.
• The iPod nano should warn you not to disconnect it while it is syncing. Heed this warning; otherwise, you might damage it.

Resources

• Videora's iPod conversion software