How to Convert AVI Movies to the iPod

by Mario Calhoun
Convert AVI to MP4 for your iPod.

Convert AVI to MP4 for your iPod.

film image by PaulPaladin from Fotolia.com

Although fifth-generation and newer iPods are able to play videos, they can only play video files with the MP4 file extension. The MPEG-4 file format is the sole compatible video format for iPods, and will not play videos ending in AVI. In order to play AVI on your iPod, you must first convert it to an MP4, which can be achieved in the iTunes program. The iTunes program will create an iPod-compatible version of the video for you while retaining the original AVI file on your computer. The AVI file can be erased once you have the MP4 version.

Step 1

Double-click the iTunes icon on your PC desktop or start menu, or open the Applications folder in Finder and double-click the iTunes icon on your Macintosh computer.

Step 2

Click "File" at the top of the iTunes window and click "Add to Library." Locate your AVI file, and double-click it to add it to your library.

Step 3

Select the "Movies" tab in the iTunes sidebar to locate the newly imported AVI file, and click the file once to highlight it. Select "Advanced" at the top of the iTunes menu and click "Create iPod or iPhone Version" from the drop-down menu.

Step 4

Delete the original AVI file, and plug the iPod cable into your computer's USB port and the bottom of your iPod to connect it. Click the iPod tab found in the iTunes sidebar, and click the "Movies" tab in the main iTunes window.

Step 5

Check the box next to "Sync Movies" and select "Automatically include all movies," or check the box next to the video you wish to import. Click the "Apply" button at the bottom of the screen to save the configuration settings and sync your device.

Step 6

Manually unplug the device from your computer once the synchronization is complete.

About the Author

A Chicago-based writer, Mario Calhoun has been writing professionally since 2007, with work appearing in local publications such as "Mint Magazine" and "Echo Magazine," Columbia College Chicago's student magazine. Calhoun currently works at Murder Mystery Maniacs, an event planning company. Calhoun graduated from Columbia College Chicago in May 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in magazine journalism.

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