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

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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

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Answer 1

Jeff Bryan

Level 9

61,791 points

Apr 15, 2008 2:03 AM in response to Rocky Pope

Any help here?

iPod does not play content purchased from the iTMS.

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Answer 2

Apr 15, 2008 6:43 AM in response to Rocky Pope

I had the same problem. I downloaded a video this weekend that I had a season pass for. It plays great on my iTunes, but won't play on the iPod with or without the TV. I tried the "report a problem" in the iTunes store, but that wouldn't go through for some reason.

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Answer 3

Apr 15, 2008 6:47 AM in response to Jeff Bryan

I'm having exact problem as Rocky Pope, but solutions on link by Jeff Bryan (thanks, by the way) do not work.

The content that does not play on the 5G iPod will play via iTunes or on my video iPod nano, just not on the 5G.

And it seems to be only certain recently purchased content. For instance, latest episodes of "The Soup" and "Eli Stone" will not play, but season two episodes of "Human Giant" will play, and all of those were purchased in the last few days.

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Answer 4

Apr 15, 2008 7:19 AM in response to Rocky Pope

I'm having the exact same problem. I've been downloading and watching TV programs on my iPod for a while with no problems.

As of last friday, the 11th, my season pass downloads stopped functioning on my iPod (80 gig). As reported by everyone else in this thread, they work fine in iTunes. And, any videos downloaded prior to this point work great.

This behavior is suspiciously close to the upgrade of quicktime 7.4.5 and iTunes 7.6.2 (on the 8th) however, I'm not absolutely certain if that was the trigger or just interesting timing. I do know that my iPod firmware has been 1.3 for a while and working fine.

I cringed as two more season passes downloaded today when I launched iTunes to start my work day. And, sure enough, they don't work either.

I reported this to the iTunes store support but they said it was a technical problem and couldn't help me other than 5 rs, etc, which I've done as well as rebuilding my iTunes library.

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Answer 5

Rocky Pope Author

Level 1

125 points

Apr 15, 2008 10:27 AM in response to Jeff Bryan

I'll have to try that. I'll let you know.

But the other episodes in the series play normally, FWIW.

Thanks,

Rocky

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Answer 6

Rocky Pope Author

Level 1

125 points

Apr 15, 2008 10:29 AM in response to Mixolydian

It would seem that I am not the only person reporting this issue!

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Answer 7

romagirl

Level 1

0 points

Apr 15, 2008 10:42 AM in response to Rocky Pope

just to add another to the list...

the most recent 2 daily show's and colbert report's...same problem...

the free preview for Carrier...no problem...

have written to customer service 3 times...the first repsonse was that my order number was wrong...and since then i have not heard back....sigh

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Answer 8

Rocky Pope Author

Level 1

125 points

Apr 15, 2008 10:47 AM in response to romagirl

This is getting out of control!

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Answer 9

Laidback

Level 1

0 points

Apr 15, 2008 12:03 PM in response to Rocky Pope

Same issue as stated above. Itunes ver 7.6.2.9 This happened to 2nd episode of the Ultimate fighter on my IPOD.

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Answer 10

PghMike2

Level 1

9 points

Apr 15, 2008 2:33 PM in response to Krista Vanderlugt

Yup, my 5th Gen iPod won't play any Daily Shows downloaded since Thursday 4/10, but I can indeed watch them on iTunes itself. I just went to the local Apple store, and they apparently hadn't heard of the problem.

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Answer 11

MemeGene

Level 1

0 points

Apr 15, 2008 3:16 PM in response to Rocky Pope

Same problem here. 30GB video iPod, iTunes 7.6.2 w/ new Quicktime update. I have seasons passes to Daily Show and Colbert Report, and neither have been playing the past few downloads.

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Answer 12

Rocky Pope Author

Level 1

125 points

Apr 15, 2008 3:18 PM in response to MemeGene

I sent a feedback report to Apple. I don't think that will fix our issues, but it may open their eyes if they receive a lot of feedback on this issue.

Regards,

Rocky

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Answer 13

Rocky Pope Author

Level 1

125 points

Apr 15, 2008 3:55 PM in response to PghMike2

No luck with the Apple Store geniuses? Too much...

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Answer 14

Apr 15, 2008 5:03 PM in response to Rocky Pope

I'm having the same problem!! I just downloaded the newest Bones episode (seen on TV last night) and my 5th gen 80G wont play it - just a black screen. This same episode plays perfectly on my iphone and on another family members new classic 160G. It appears Apple is having a proble keeping everything running since they have obviously changed how the newer ipods run. I also have a problem with my 80G freezing at the end of movies or TV programs that I have converted. These shows used to play perfectly until an upgrade some time around Nov/Dec. 07. These same programs play perfectly on the iphone and on the 160G. Another issue - Accessories we purchased for the 5th gen. don't work with the new classic or the 3rd gen. nano (ie: Phillips portable dvd/ipod player, DLO HomeDock Deluxe...)

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Answer 15

tshepp

Level 1

0 points

Apr 15, 2008 6:10 PM in response to Rocky Pope

I'm having the same problems!! I run the diagnostics and it gives me the sync. error, but no way to correct it. I tried customer support and got a reply, but did not help. I purchased two shows the other night, everything went normal, plays on iTunes, shows up on iPod 80gig, but will not play on TV or my iPod. Checked my purchases and the two shows were not listed, I even repurchased one show, and it still wasn't listed as a purchase. Check your purchases.

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