iPod Video Format Specifications
A precise reference for the exact video and audio specs each iPod model supports. Use this as your encoding cheat-sheet.
There is no single "iPod video format" — the hardware changed across nine years of iPod releases. This reference lays out the exact specs for each generation so you can target the right one.
Container formats
Every iPod that plays video accepts MP4 (.mp4) and M4V (.m4v) containers. Both are variants of the ISO Base Media File Format. The .m4v extension is Apple's, and can carry FairPlay DRM as well as AC3 audio on later devices. For maximum compatibility, encode to plain .mp4.
Video codecs
Two video codecs are supported:
- H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC). Baseline Profile only, up to Level 3.0 on early iPods and Level 3.1 on iPod Touch 4G+. Anything encoded as Main or High Profile will be rejected.
- MPEG-4 Part 2 (Simple Profile). The older codec. Less efficient than H.264 — files are larger for the same quality — but still accepted.
Audio codecs
AAC-LC is the safe choice on every iPod: stereo, up to 160 kbps, at 48 kHz or below. Later iPod Touch and iPod Classic models also accept AC3 inside an .m4v container, but only over the dock connector to compatible audio hardware — the built-in headphones jack still requires AAC.
Resolution and bitrate by model
| Model | Max resolution | Max video bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| iPod Video (5G) | 640 × 480 | 2.5 Mbps |
| iPod Classic (6G/7G) | 640 × 480 | 2.5 Mbps |
| iPod Nano 3G | 320 × 240 | 1.5 Mbps |
| iPod Nano 4G/5G | 640 × 480 | 2.5 Mbps |
| iPod Nano 6G | no video playback | — |
| iPod Nano 7G | 240 × 432 (vertical) | 1.5 Mbps |
| iPod Touch 1G–3G | 640 × 480 | 2.5 Mbps |
| iPod Touch 4G | 1280 × 720 | 10 Mbps |
| iPod Touch 5G–7G | 1920 × 1080 | 14 Mbps |
Frame rate
30 fps is the safe ceiling for every iPod. Source material at 24 fps (most films) or 25 fps (PAL television) plays back natively. Anything above 30 fps must be downsampled.
Aspect ratio
iPod screens are either 4:3 (early Classics, Nanos) or 16:9 (Touch line). HandBrake's Anamorphic: Loose option preserves the original aspect ratio and adds black bars where needed, which is the right default for mixed source material.
Subtitles
Soft subtitles in MP4 containers (mov_text) display on the iPod Touch 4G and later. Earlier iPods ignore them — if you need subtitles on a Classic or Nano, burn them into the picture during conversion.
Putting it together
The "universal" iPod video file — one that will play on every video-capable iPod ever made — is:
- MP4 container
- H.264 Baseline Profile, Level 3.0
- 640 × 360 (16:9) or 640 × 480 (4:3) at 30 fps
- 1.5 Mbps video bitrate
- AAC-LC stereo audio, 128 kbps, 48 kHz
Encode at those settings and you'll never have a compatibility surprise.