Using the iPod nano Video Camera
One of the most appealing features of the 5th generation iPod nano is its video camera. The camera, a tiny lens in back bottom of the iPod, records video and audio at 640 x 480 resolution at 30 frames per second. This isn't HD or movie-theater quality, the nano video camera is perfect for web videos and short clips. And, with as much as 16GB of storage, you won’t run out of room for new movies anytime soon.
The Basics: Recording, Viewing, Deleting
To start recording video with your nano's camera, select Video Camera from the iPod's home screen. You'll soon see what the camera does.
Next, click the button in the center of the Clickwheel. You'll know the camera is recording because the red light next to the timer will blink and the timer will run. The nano records video in the MP4 format, which can be played back in QuickTime or Windows Media Player.
To stop recording, click the Clickwheel's center button again.
To see a list of the videos you've recorded, enter the Video Camera program and click the Menu button. This will show a list of the movies stored on the iPod, the date they were taken, and how long they are. To view them, highlight a video and click the center button.
To delete a movie, highlight it and then click and hold down the center button. A menu will appear at the top of screen giving you the option to delete the selected movie, all the movies, or to cancel.
Visual Effects
The nano has 16 visual effects built into it that can transform your plain old video into a security camera tape, an x-ray, sepia or black and white film, and 12 other styles.
To choose the visual effect you want to record in, go to the Video Camera from the home screen and hold down the Clickwheel's center button. You'll be presented with four options at a time. Use the Clickwheel to scroll through the options. Choose the one you'd like to record in by clicking the center button.
Syncing Your Nano Videos
Moving your videos from the iPod nano to your computer is as simple as syncing your nano.
If you use a photo management program that can support videos – such as iPhoto – you can import videos the same way you import photos.
Alternatively, if you enable Disk Mode, you'll be able to navigate through your iPod like any other disk and drag the video files from the DCIM folder it to your hard drive.
iPod nano Video Camera Requirements
To move your iPod nano videos to your computer, you'll need:
- Mac OS X 10.4.11 or higher or Windows Vista or XP Service Pack 3 or later
- A computer with a USB2 port
- iTunes 9 or later
- iPhoto 6.0.6 on Mac OS X Tiger or iPhoto ’09 for Mac OS X Leopard or Snow Leopard
Want tips like this delivered to your inbox every week? Subscribe to the free weekly iPhone/iPod email newsletter.