iPod Video Compatibility by Model
A model-by-model breakdown of which iPods play video and the specs they expect.
Not every iPod plays video, and the ones that do have very different capabilities. Here's a generation-by-generation map.
iPod Video (5th generation, 2005)
The first iPod with video playback. 2.5-inch QVGA screen, 320×240 native, but accepts files up to 640×480 and downscales. H.264 Baseline or MPEG-4. AAC audio only. Maximum video bitrate 2.5 Mbps.
iPod Classic (6th and 7th generation, 2007–2009)
Same screen as the iPod Video. Same codec support. The hardware decoder is slightly more capable, but for video purposes the encoding target is identical: H.264 Baseline at 640×480 max, 2.5 Mbps.
iPod Nano 3G (2007) and 4G (2008)
The "fat Nano" (3G) introduced a 2-inch screen at 320×240. The 4G (tall, oval) bumped this to a slightly wider screen but the same resolution ceiling. Both accept H.264 Baseline up to 1.5 Mbps.
iPod Nano 5G (2009)
Larger 2.2-inch screen, but still 240×376. Adds a video camera. Same codec ceiling as earlier Nanos.
iPod Nano 6G (2010)
The square clip-on Nano with a 1.5-inch touchscreen. No video playback at all. Music and photos only. This is the only post-2005 iPod that won't play your converted files.
iPod Nano 7G (2012)
Video playback returns on a tall 2.5-inch screen at 240×432. Codec support matches earlier Nanos: H.264 Baseline, 1.5 Mbps, AAC.
iPod Touch 1G–3G (2007–2009)
3.5-inch screen, 480×320 native. Accepts files up to 640×480 at up to 2.5 Mbps. H.264 Baseline.
iPod Touch 4G (2010)
First Touch with a Retina display (960×640) and the first capable of 720p video. H.264 up to Main Profile, 10 Mbps. AAC and AC3 audio.
iPod Touch 5G (2012)
4-inch Retina (1136×640). 1080p H.264 up to High Profile Level 4.1 at 10.5 Mbps. AAC, AC3, ALAC.
iPod Touch 6G (2015) and 7G (2019)
Same physical screen as the 5G. Bumped SoC means the 7G also decodes H.265 (HEVC) up to Main 10 profile, 14 Mbps. Still happiest with H.264 for universal compatibility.
What this means for encoding
If you want one file that plays on every video-capable iPod, target the lowest common denominator: 640×480 (or 640×360 for 16:9) H.264 Baseline at 1.5 Mbps with AAC stereo audio. If you only care about iPod Touch 4G or later, you can push to 720p or 1080p at higher bitrates.