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iPod Q&A - Updated October 4, 2009

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How many movies can the video capable iPod models hold?

The number of movies the video capable iPod models can hold varies upon the length of the movie, format, and encoding used. Using the iPod to hold music and photos, likewise, can reduce the number of videos the iPod can store.

It is worth noting that the "full size" iPod models starting with the iPod 5G (with Video) and the iPod nano models starting with the iPod nano (3G/Fat) are capable of supporting video as are all configurations of the iPod touch. Earlier iPod models and the iPod shuffle line do not support video.

The capacity of every video capable iPod in gigabytes, along with the Apple estimated hours of video that each can hold, is provided below in this handy chart:

iPod Name

Capacity (GB)

Video Capacity

iPod 5G (with Video)

30 GB, 60 GB

75, 150 Hours*

iPod U2 Edition 5G

30 GB

75 Hours*

iPod 5G - Enhanced

30 GB, 80 GB

40, 100 Hours†

iPod U2 Edition 5GE

30 GB

40 Hours†

iPod classic (Orig.)

80 GB, 160 GB

100, 200 Hours

iPod classic (2008)

120 GB

150 Hours

iPod nano (3G/Fat)

4 GB, 8 GB

4, 8 Hours

iPod nano 4G

8 GB, 16 GB

8, 16 Hours

iPod nano 5G

8 GB, 16 GB

8, 16 Hours

iPod touch

8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB

10, 20, 40 Hours

iPod touch (2G)

8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB

10, 20, 40 Hours

iPod touch (3G)

8 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB

10, 40, 80 Hours

* Apple originally reported that the 30 GB configuration of the iPod 5G (with Video) could hold approximately 75 hours of video encoded in H.264 750-Kbps format combined with 128-Kbps audio. Apple likewise reported that the 60 GB configuration could hold approximately 150 hours of video using the same encoding.

† For the "Enhanced" iPod 5G models, Apple improved the firmware of all iPod 5G models to support larger and higher-resolution video files -- H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second -- and consequently reported that the 30 GB version could hold approximately 40 hours of video, and the 80 GB version could hold 100 hours of video using the same larger encoding. These models can support the smaller video formats as well.

Also see: Which iPods are currently shipping? How many songs does each hold? What are the pros and cons of each?

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