Cannot by played on this iPod...why?

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Cannot by played on this iPod...why?

Running a 160 GB iPod Classic, bought in 2010, software v 2.0.4. When downloading videos from iTunesU, some videos are able to be copied to my iPod, some aren't, I don't understand why this is. I can't see any difference between the videos that copy and those that don't. All videos play just fine when played in ITunes on the computer.

BTW, I don't 'Synch' music or anything between the computer and the iPod. I prefer to download individual things and install them myself.

Thanks for any help,

Greg

Posted on Sep 8, 2012 8:07 PM

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Answer 1

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planb77

Level 7

32,434 points

Sep 11, 2012 7:57 AM in response to Greg Reyna

Sounds like you are trying to sync the HD version of the TV Episode. You should try to download the Standard Definition copy instead and sync that to your device as HD content is not compatible with the iPod Classic. See here for more information:

iTunes: May be unable to transfer videos to iPhone, iPad, or iPod

To prevent HD versions from being downloaded in the future head to the iTunes Store, click the Purchased link, and then select TV Shows and remove the tick mark next to Download HD when available. You should be able to download the SD version now from under this same page.

B-rock

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Answer 2

Greg Reyna Author

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Sep 11, 2012 10:43 AM in response to planb77

Thanks for the link. The videos I'm talking about are from iTunesU, not TV. Here are the specs for the video I'm trying to put on the iPod:

time= 27:54 MPEG-4 video file; 187.2 MB; bit rate: 78 kbps; Low Complexity; Stereo; 640x480; total bit rate: 910 kbps; video codec H.264

--and here are Apple's video specs for my iPod from the link you provided:

H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Low-Complexity version of the H.264 Baseline Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; H.264 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Baseline Profile up to Level 3.0 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats

I don't see any conflict in the data provided. The only thing that's unaccounted for in the Apple specs is 'total bit rate', maybe the iPod can't handle 910 kbps.

I took a shot at iTune's conversion, but from the pace set in the first few minutes, it looked like it would take an hour to do the conversion. Not worth the trouble.

Greg

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Answer 3

planb77

Level 7

32,434 points

Sep 11, 2012 11:03 AM in response to Greg Reyna

Not sure why I posted TV Episode. My apologies on that one.

I took a shot at iTune's conversion, but from the pace set in the first few minutes, it looked like it would take an hour to do the conversion. Not worth the trouble.

Maybe not, but it looks like there really aren't any other options available.

B-rock

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Answer 4

Greg Reyna Author

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97 points

Sep 11, 2012 12:15 PM in response to planb77

Guess not, but the question remains: What is the factor that makes the video unplayable on the iPod?

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Answer 5

planb77

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Sep 11, 2012 1:09 PM in response to Greg Reyna

maybe the iPod can't handle 910 kbps.

That exceeds the specified limit as you noticed.

B-rock

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Answer 6

Greg Reyna Author

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97 points

Sep 11, 2012 3:13 PM in response to planb77

Geez, I looked right at it didn't I. That's what I get for trying to find a small distraction from dealing with my divorce!

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Answer 7

planb77

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Sep 13, 2012 7:34 AM in response to Greg Reyna

No big deal. 🙂

B-rock

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Answer 8

yoda99bc

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Sep 28, 2012 1:35 PM in response to planb77

My movies are only 122 kbps and they won't transfer either. Not when I try automatically or when I choose them manually. Their not HD either.

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Answer 9

planb77

Level 7

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Sep 28, 2012 1:54 PM in response to yoda99bc

Can you post a screenshot of one of your movies' Get Info window so we can verify its specs are indeed compatible with the iPod Classic?

B-rock

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Answer 10

yoda99bc

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Sep 28, 2012 3:16 PM in response to planb77

Thing is, sometime in the near past these did transfer to my ipod and I had even watched them.

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Answer 11

planb77

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Sep 29, 2012 8:52 AM in response to yoda99bc

The video dimensions listed above (853 x 462) exceed that of what is capable by the iPod Classic, which is 640 x 480.

B-rock

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Answer 12

yoda99bc

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Sep 29, 2012 1:51 PM in response to planb77

Crud, and my TV shows which are 40x480 are 1292 kbps. But I have watched those shows on my ipod, 3 seasons worth.

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Answer 13

planb77

Level 7

32,434 points

Oct 1, 2012 12:24 PM in response to yoda99bc

That's because the resolution of those videos is less than that of what is supported by the iPod Classic. Anything with a resolution lower than or equal to 640 x 480 will sync and play just fine.

B-rock

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