Fifth-generation iPod (with video) [#4]: More on problems synchronizing home-compressed video

We continue to report on an issue where users are unable to playback seemingly properly compressed video generated by a variety of applications -- including QuickTime Pro 7.0.3 -- on their fifth-generation iPods

MacFixIt reader Robert Miller reports that neither the iTunes 6.0.1 update, nor the Pro Application Support 3.1 update (which adds an iPod-specific export option to Final Cut Pro HD) released yesterday alleviates the issue.

Robert writes:

"I too am having trouble showing home video on my new iPod video. I had just downloaded iTunes 6.0.1 and Pro App Support 3.1.

"I tried exporting my my home video using the new 'iPod (320 x 240)' export option on Final Cut Pro HD, but to no avail.

"The home video plays fine within the context of iTunes, but I get still that 'cannot be played on iPod' message. A downloaded music video from the Apple site plays on the iPod, though.

"In other words, the Pro App Support 3.1 and iTunes 6.0.1 has not helped yet with home video."

As noted separately in today's QuickTime 7.0.3 coverage and yesterday's fifth-generation iPod coverage, there are strict requirements for the video that can be played back on the iPod.

The video must not exceed 2.5 Mbps if encoded in MPEG-4, or 768 Kbps if encoded with H.264. The AAC audio must not exceed 160 Kbps, and accepted file extensions are .m4v, .mp4 and .mov.

UPDATE: If audio will not play in exported files Apple has now posted a Knowledge Base article (#302588) explaining:

"If you've exported a video for iPod play, you may come across a situation in which the converted video doesn't contain any audio when you play the file in QuickTime Player, iTunes, or on your iPod. If this is the case, the original video file may be in a format that contains muxed (multilplexed) audio and video, and cannot be exported with audio."

The article goes on to explain how you can determine whether or not the exported file contains these incompatible audio properties: Access " Show Movie Info" in the "Window" menu of QuickTime Player after opening the movie in question, and click the "More Info" disclosure triangle, then check if the format is "MPEG1 Muxed" or "MPEG2 Muxed."

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Previous coverage:

• Fifth-generation iPod (with video) [#3]: Units start arriving in users' hands, problems synching home compressed video
• iPod (with video) [#2]: Can no longer function as a bootable startup drive; Converting video files
• New iPod introduced: Slimmer, larger screen, video capabilities (including video-out), new accessories

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