Question about video compatibility on different iPad generations

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Level 1

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Question about video compatibility on different iPad generations

I have some questions about what video will play on different generations of iPads (and other devices). Maybe someone can answer these for me, or point me to an article or chart that already has the answers.

First, I take it that any video that will play on a 1st generation iPad will play on all successive generations. And I think that same video will play on all generations of Apple TV, and at least on newer iPhones (4, 4s, 5, etc.). Please tell me if I'm wrong about that.

Are there videos that will play on a 2nd generation iPad that will not play on a first generation iPad, or can I safely presume that any video that plays on a 2nd generation iPad will also play on a 1st generation iPad?

And then I have this same question between 3rd and 2nd generation iPads. But I think it is the case that there are videos that ill play on a 3rd generation iPad that won't play on a 2nd generation iPad.

iPhone 4

Posted on May 3, 2013 8:48 AM

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matt00

Level 5

4,041 points

May 6, 2013 7:49 AM in response to JDLee

Hi JDLee,

Great questions! I found the following article that refers to a specific troubleshooting step, but also outlines some helpful information relevant to your question(s):

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

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1497

The iPad and iPhone 4 can play High Definition (HD) content and Standard Definition (SD) content. iPods and the original iPhone, iPhone 3G, and iPhone 3GS can play Standard Definition (SD) content. To find what video formats are supported, see the Tech Specs page, click your device's product family, and then your specific model. All HD purchases from the iTunes Store also include an iPod/iPhone-compatible Standard Definition version to accompany the HD version. When syncing an HD purchase from the iTunes Store, iTunes will automatically sync the SD video for devices that require SD content.

As outlined above, if you are looking for more detailed information the best resource will be the Tech Specs page for the specific product.

For example, this excerpt from the iPhone 5 Tech Specs page outlines the iPhone 5 supports HD up to 1080p:

Video formats supported: H.264 video up to 1080p, 30 frames per second, High Profile level 4.1 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 per channel, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) up to 35 Mbps, 1280 by 720 pixels, 30 frames per second, audio in ulaw, PCM stereo audio in .avi file format

Whereas the iPhone 4 supports HD up to 720p (excerpt from iPhone 4 Tech Spec page):

Video formats supported: H.264 video up to 720p, 30 frames per second, Main Profile level 3.1 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 per channel, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) up to 35 Mbps, 1280 by 720 pixels, 30 frames per second, audio in ulaw, PCM stereo audio in .avi file format

Cheers!

Matt M.

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