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Level 1

125 points

Certain iTunes Store Videos Don't Play On 5th Gen iPod

Hi,

I'm using a 5th generation iPod (80 GB) model connected to a Mac Pro running OS X 10.4.11, using iTunes v7.6.2 to manually sync the content on the iPod. There were two files that I received today from the iTunes Store (via a season pass notification). The two files downloaded successfully to the desktop and I verified they were playable from within iTunes.

Since I am manually managing the content on the iPod, I manually copied the episodes from my iTunes TV Show library to the iPod. The files copied successfully (there were no error messages). I then attempted to play the videos from the iPod to my TV (using the Apple iPod AV Connection Kit). The two videos do not play (I did select the TV out option). They appear to start and then ... nothing. No output. I am still able to play video content in this manner using other files, but not these. I am also unable to play the files to the iPod screen (same symptoms as before).

I am able to play the two files with the iPod connected to the host computer (by double-clicking the files in their respective folder -- if this is actually playing the iPod files or the library files, I cannot determine).

I ran Disk Utility on the iPod, and no errors were reported. I reset the iPod IAW <http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/five_rs/ipod5gen>. There was no change. I also deleted the two files from the iPod and replaced them with copied from the library. As far as I can see there are no pending iPod SW updates, so reinstalling the iPod SW may not help. I am also hesitant to blow away the contents of the iPod. I will ensure I have a good backup before doing anything like this...

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

Rocky

Mac Pro 2x2 2.66 GHz 7GB RAM, Mac OS X (10.4.10), 5th Gen iPod (80 GB)

Posted on Apr 14, 2008 11:14 PM

208 replies

mjsbone

Level 1

0 points

Apr 15, 2008 7:00 PM in response to Rocky Pope

I'm having the same problem. I downloaded the two latest episodes of Eli Stone yesterday, and they won't play on my iPod, but they seem to be playing just fine in iTunes. Today I downloaded the newest episodes of Greek and New Amsterdam. Greek plays just fine on my iPod, New Amsterdam will not.

Apr 15, 2008 9:56 PM in response to mjsbone

I am having the same problem with 4/10 and 4/14 daily show. Obviously this is not isolated incidents. I have removed and reinstated the files, and updated the ipod and itunes software, no dice. I have a hard time believing wiping the ipod is going to help. APPLE FIX THIS OR ACKNOWLEDGE ASAP

Side gripe, iTunes store doesn't warn you that movie rentals don't work on 5g ipod video before you download. What a joke.

Rocky Pope Author

Level 1

125 points

Apr 15, 2008 10:11 PM in response to Eric Davila

Agreed. I'm not about the blow away the contents of my iPod just to find out that the "fix" didn't work. If I had some assurances that this would work, I might go ahead and try it. But I won't do it as a knee-jerk reaction because of Apple's Five-R's in troubleshooting iPods.

Apr 15, 2008 10:14 PM in response to Rocky Pope

I'm just happy I'm not alone in my problems.
The exact same thing happened to me with three television episodes that I downloaded yesterday. I've tried everything I'm supposed to do; updating my itunes, restarting my ipod, and whatnot, but nothing has worked. Lets hope they fix this soon.

Rocky Pope Author

Level 1

125 points

Apr 15, 2008 10:32 PM in response to Goats_Desu

Yes, but I have a feeling this would be wishful thinking. They'll get it fixed, but not overnight.

Hoping I'm wrong,

Rocky

Ginty

Level 1

4 points

Apr 15, 2008 11:02 PM in response to Rocky Pope

May I join the club?

I am having this exact problem with two TV shows I just bought on iTunes - an episode of "Eli Stone" and an episode of "Desperate Housewives." From what I'm seeing here, I guess this is a relatively new problem.

Anybody know the best way to get Apple's attention on this?

Rocky Pope Author

Level 1

125 points

Apr 15, 2008 11:20 PM in response to Ginty

We're trying to do just that here and now. My problem started (as far as I can tell) this past Monday, when I grabbed the latest episodes of a season pass. The files downloaded fine, and they play OK under iTunes, but they don't play on the iPod. The video abruptly stops as soon as I start it.

I take it that you're in this category as well. Misery loves company!

Rocky

Dr. Stan

Level 1

0 points

Apr 16, 2008 12:32 AM in response to Rocky Pope

I'm having the EXACT same problem.

Rocky Pope Author

Level 1

125 points

Apr 16, 2008 12:34 AM in response to Dr. Stan

Wow, this is still growing. How depressing...

Vergil66

Level 1

10 points

Apr 16, 2008 2:56 AM in response to Rocky Pope

Just putting my name on the petition.

Specifically:

When I went to play Thursday's "Daily Show" -- off a season pass-- (4/10/08) the next day (Friday), I had the same issues that have been noted in the other posts.

Peace,
Chris

Kskylin

Level 1

5 points

Apr 16, 2008 5:14 AM in response to Rocky Pope

Yes, I had been on a steady Scrubs run right up until the 15th when the latest episode wouldn't run. I had just upgraded to the newest itunes too... It's the only episode that won't play on my 60gb.

Apr 16, 2008 5:27 AM in response to Kskylin

Just want to reiterate, in case someone in the position of helping us is paying attention to this thread, that the problem isn't just with shows purchased via Season Pass. I've purchased several a la carte shows in the past couple of days, none of which will play on the 5G.

I, too, am blaming the recent iTunes update, as the problem with the 5G was nonexistent before then. I'm wondering if there's something in the codec that was beefed up to better communicate with iTunes and the newer iPods (video nano, touch, etc.), but wound up leaving the poor 5G without a dance partner.

Apr 16, 2008 5:55 AM in response to Rocky Pope

Same problem here! Since last week, downloads of NCIS and Numbers (on season passes) as well as individual downloads of HIMYM are not working on my 5th Gen iPod (80GB). Tried resetting the iPod, rebuilding the library, deauthorising computers, etc. Didn't expect any of it to work and not surprisingly it didn't. No solution from iTunes customer support other than a few free downloads for the inconvenience. All previous files work perfectly, so I know the iPod is functioning. It just seems like the encoding of the files is different as mentioned earlier.

PghMike2

Level 1

9 points

Apr 16, 2008 6:00 AM in response to Rocky Pope

It is pretty clear that Apple has broken something in either the video encoding, or the 5th gen ipod firmware.

CAN ANYONE FROM APPLE HELP HERE? SOMETHING VERY SIGNIFICANT IS TOTALLY BROKEN!

Kskylin

Level 1

5 points

Apr 16, 2008 6:48 AM in response to Rocky Pope

All I can recommend is going to the article Jeff posted: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303854 and then clicking on the "it wasn't helpful" link on the bottom. Then in the feedback box, make sure you put a link to this thread and bring this to their attention.

Certain iTunes Store Videos Don't Play On 5th Gen iPod