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iPod Q&A - Revised October 9, 2010

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What type of photos do the iPod models support?

Models with color displays -- starting with the iPod photo -- support photos, although the iPod nano models -- as well as the iPod classic (6th Gen) and iPod touch and all other iPod models released September 5, 2007 and later -- only support photos on the internal display "loaded" from a computer.

According to "iPod Compatible Photo Formats" on the Apple Support Site:

On the Mac, iTunes 4.7 (and higher) can recognize and prepare "JPG, JPEG, TIFF, PICT, GIF, PNG, JPG2000 or JP2, PSD, SGI, and BMP" images.

On Windows, iTunes 4.7 (and higher) can recognize and prepare "JPG, JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIF, TIFF, PSD, SGI, and PNG" images from "Adobe Photoshop Album and Adobe Photoshop Elements".

However, in disk mode -- not available for the iPod touch without third-party software hacks -- you can copy any type of file to the iPod for transport to another computer.

Also see:

  • How can I transfer photos from my digital camera to my iPod?
  • Can I use the iPod to store photos from a digital camera, not only for JPG files, but also RAW image files such as Canon CRW and CR2 and Nikon NEF?
  • How can I transfer photos from my computer to my iPod or iPod nano?

Can I sync photos from multiple computers to the iPod?

No. Photos can only be synchronized from one computer to one compatible iPod. However, photographs can be copied to any iPod from any computer while in disk mode (the iPod touch does not support disk mode), transferred to the primary computer, added to where the images can be accessed by iTunes 4.7 (or higher), and then synchronized.

For additional information, please refer to the "iTunes & iPod FAQ About Photo Sync" from the Apple Support Site.

Also see: How can I transfer photos from my computer to my iPod, iPod nano, or iPod touch?

Can I sync photos from the iPod to multiple computers?

From the official "iTunes & iPod FAQ About Photo Sync" on the Apple Support Site:

No, all photo synching is one way only, from computer to iPod. You can put full-quality copies of your photos on the iPod by selecting the 'include full-resolution photos' check box in the Photos section of the iPod pane in iTunes preferences. Then you can just drag the full-quality photos out of the Photos folder on the iPod to any other computer.

How do I connect the iPod to a TV for a slideshow or video?

The process is essentially the same to connect a full-size iPod with a color display -- starting with the iPod photo -- to a television as it is to connect any other consumer electronic device, such as a DVD player or video game console, to a television. The first and second iPod nano models do not have video out capabilities, and consequently, cannot be connected to a television or projector.

However, depending on the model, the capabilties and accessories needed to connect the iPod to a television can be quite different.

Unfortunately, all iPod models released September 5, 2007 and later -- including the iPod classic models, the iPod nano 3rd Gen through iPod nano 5th Gen, and iPod touch models -- do not support TV out via the headphone jack and instead provide TV out functionality via the dock connector port or the dock using a compatible Apple cable, Apple dock, or an another accessory with an "Apple Authentication" chip (the iPod nano 6th Gen models do not support video playback but are capable of displaying photos on a television).

For complete details regarding which Apple accessories enable TV out for different iPod models, please refer to "iPod and iPhone: TV Out support" from the Apple Support Site.

Can I connect the first or second generation iPod nano to a TV for a slideshow or video?

No. The first and second generation iPod nano models lack video out and video capabilities, and as a result cannot be connected to a television.

The iPod nano (3rd Gen/Fat) through iPod nano 5th Gen models do have video out capabilities albeit only via the dock connector port or the dock using a compatible Apple cable, Apple dock, or an another accessory with an "Apple Authentication" chip (the iPod nano 6th Gen models do not support video playback but are capable of displaying photos on a television).



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