iTunes : How to fix error message that video file cannot be copied to iPod / iPad
Last updated: June 22, 2016
I recently bought an iPod Classic and since this iPod has a large capacity, you can easily store movies on it. So I added a .MP4 video file to iTunes which was able to play the movie without a problem. So I decided to Sync the iPod but to my surprise an Error Message window showed up stating:
In this article you will learn how to solve this problem in two different ways.
What causes the error?
It could be that iPod / iPad lacks codecs support in which movie file was encoded. Another possibility is that the resolution of the video is too high for your device to handle. Whatever the reason, the solution is to convert the video files to the appropriate format.
There are two ways to accomplish this and we are going to examine both of them. One way is to install third-party converter software but focus of this article will be how to convert video files directly from iTunes.
Convert with third-party tools
First lets briefly examine third-party converter software. There are many you can choose from, some free others not so much. Personally I have been using Free MP4 Video Converter. Whatever software you have chosen, you have to accomplish three simple steps:
- First you convert the movie file using that tool
- Then add that file to the iTunes library
- Finally you have to Sync the library to your Device, just make sure that under Movie tab you have selected appropriate checkboxes so the video files will also be synced.
Convert with iTunes
Converting video directly from iTunes is very similar to the 3 steps above.
You have to do the following:
- You add the video to the iTunes library. Then in iTunes go to the menu bar and select File > Create New Version and choose either Create iPod or iPhone Version or Create iPad or AppleTV Version depending on the device you are having.
Option in iTunes to Convert video
Whatever option you have chosen, iTunes should start converting the file as shown below:
iTunes converting video file
- After conversion has ended, you will have both video files in iTunes. Select the original video and remove it from the list.
After iTunes conversion of the video file
If you cannot tell which one is the old original file, add a Date Added to the column. Right-click on header row (where you have Name, Time, Genre, Rating,…) and select Date Added.
- Now all that is left is to Sync your iPod / iPad.
Note: If the video is not added after the syncing, with Device selected go to Movies tab and check if you have checkbox selected for Sync Movies and that the movie file has also been selected.
If you prefer some other third-party converter tool, drop a comment and tell us about it.
I hope you have found this article useful.
Thanks for this. I have had this problem for years and using the itunes converter worked perfectly. First website i’ve ever seen that actually offered a working solution.
Thanks. I’m glad you found the article useful.
i have converted my films to .mov (quick player format) and it worked
thanks!! it was very helpful
What version of iTunes was used for this article? I have 10.7 and “Create New Version” does not appear on the File menu.
I was using latest version of iTunes at that time, which according to Wikipedia was 11.0.1.
I have the same problem. The only things I see when I go to file are: New, Library, iTunes Store, Add file to Library, Get info, Switch to Miniplayer, Preferences, Show Menu Bar, and Exit. What do you suggest I do? : )
Option “Create New Version” is under File in Menu Bar, so from options you see right now select “Show Menu Bar”. Menu Bar will appear.There you should find “Create New Version” under “File”.
Thanks a lot! This was very useful!
Thanks a ton, this solved my problem
I followed the steps accordingly but it only lets me create AAC version. the other 2 options are grayed out.
I have a new Nano 7th Gen, iTunes ver 11.1.2.32.
I am unable to copy mp4 or m4v videos to Library.
I’ve converted the file with AnyVideoConverter.
All attempts result in the error “fileName was not copied to the iPod…”
Part of the problem may be the fact that this Nano is my first purchase from Apple.
You need to set the correct codecs and resolution for your device in order for video file to work.
According to http://support.apple.com/kb/sp656 for iPod Nano 7th Gen. you need to set codecs to H.264 or MPEG-4 and resolution of the video file to 720 x 576 pixels.
I recreated the mp4 file using the suggestions, but the file still would not transfer to the Library. I failed to mention I’m using a Windows Vista pc that contains the mp4 file. Does this make a difference?
I don’t think the problem is Windows Vista.
Have you tried the suggestions in the article? By using either ” Free MP4 Video Converter” or iTunes?
Problem resolved. I needed to install QuickTime on the pc. Now I can transfer mp4 files to the iTunes Library.
Thank you for sharing your solution.
thanks it helped me a lot other than those websites which offered me A CONVERTER to download. i was using an old computer of mine and other itunes i can’t find the Create New Version in File, but found it in Advanced. thanks for helping me:)
After long time of search survival worked for me, I think problem is black of ipad is not compatible with the mp4 file you are using to transfer to your ipad and that is why it is giving an error,
all you need to do is
1- download any converter, I have used format factory free tool.
2- convert the mp4 movies to .MOV Extention
3- open Itunes- click on On this ipad tab
4- locate the file and drag and drop
5- apply
simple!
i couldn’t find the second version of the video after it finished converting…what should i do?
How did you convert the video? With iTunes or some third party software?
In case anyone else got the issue I had, I had to add the side bar. It seems selecting video by icon did not work as the create iPad option would be greyed out. Adding the side bar (view->show sidebar) did the trick when selecting the item that way. Very weird.
sir when I add file from library nothing was added to library..please help
I never had this problem. Maybe this link from Apple Support Community would help you: iTunes 11 Won’t Let Me Add Songs To Library
Thank you! This was a great solution.
Chip
i have tried everything and it wont work any help would be great
I’m currently running iTunes 12.0.1.26
Under ‘File’/’Create New Version’, it is greyed out. I was going to try Genie’s suggestion but I do not have a sidebar option under ‘View’. Anyone else run across this without downloading a 3rd party converter?
Try selecting the video first. I only have options under ‘File/Create New Version’ greyed out if no movie is selected.
My p90X video is converted already by third party software. I added my library. It is under my home video list. But I can not either drag the video to my movie list or chose create new version( it is greyed out)
Try adding the file manually by going to File > Add File to Library in the Menu Bar. Then when video is added to the library, select it. Options in Create New Version should now be available.
Thanks for the iTunes conversion solution. I’m glad I found a website that offered the key to the problem.
Thank you so much for your help. The iTunes Conversion worked very well for me. Apple should reward you as an iTunes expert.
Best wishes, Pat
The information you provided cleared up the problem I was having with some of my videos. Thank you for sharing. All the best to you! Mary 🙂
Hi
I am trying to convert some itunes to the correct format for my ipod classic. when I choose the convert option in itunes, it is grayed out, even though I have the video selected? any suggestions?
Hi
Were those movies purchased from the iTunes Store? If so, it is possible that you have a HD version but iTunes expects a SD version instead. I suggest try getting SD version and try again.
I found this article explaining how to download SD version of your movies from iTunes Store. You might find it helpful.
Hey,
When i created the new version for iphone, the whole video became green and the quality is bad, any way around this?
Hi,
Unfortunately, I don’t use the converter in iTunes at all, so I’m not sure how to fix your issue.
Have you tried the Free MP4 Video Converter mentioned in the article? I have been using it myself for years and I’m always satisfied with the results. Just make sure, you choose “Custom Installation (Advanced)” during installation to uncheck the crapware it wants to install. 🙂
i have the same problem. because videos do not copy to itunes library. option “create new version” is grey. plz help me
This can happen when video has a format that is not playable in iTunes. Converting the video to a proper format should solve the issue.
The fastest and easiest way is to use Free MP4 Video Converter mentioned in this post. I use it for all my movies and never had any problem with it, just make sure, you do a custom install as it tries to install other stuff too.
For win 7 users you should have codec and quick time player then only you can import videos from itunes to iphone or ipod.
First of all i want to thank the admin of this thread , who helped me solve my problem. It was exactly the same. Whenever i tried drag n drop the converted video on the iPod’s library movies window , the same msg pops up that ‘the dash-dash file can’t be copied because it can’t be played on ur dash-dash iPod. I was annoyed. I was starting to think that there’s something wrong with either my iPod or my method. Here’s what solved my problem:
When I read michaelB’s comment, it was same as mine. So I downloaded QuickTime version 7.7.6 (as I’m using windows xp sp3) It goes with all the windows with no bugs n installs fine too. coz some new versions like 7.7.9 don’t install fine. They shows package error. So after installing QuickTime. No need to keep it opened. Close it. Open ur iTunes(latest). Connect ur iPod (mine is nano 16 GB 7th generation) Make sure now that your video is in mp4 format n none other. Open the movies window of the iTunes library. Which is usually below the menu panel. They have small symbols for music n movies n TV shows. Once u opened the movies window. Drag any of your favourite mp4 movie (In resolution Not more than 720×576 in case of nano 7th gen) and drag it over the iTunes library. If u can’t do drag n drop. In the menu panel there r options that says file, edit, view, help n such. Go to file>add file to library>select ur file>click OK. Done. Now, when I did that my movie file still didn’t appear in the movies library even after installing QuickTime so what I did was. I went to the many panel option again. File>library>organise library>consolidate files to ur iTunes library(check it)>OK . Now u will see your movie file is getting copied to the library from your PC. Voila. Now that its in your library u can drag it to your iPod’s video folder. And enjoy the movie on your iPod. I have not tried converting the movie yet because my movies’s specs were Lower than required for iPod. But I’ll use the iTunes conversion if that case happens.
timi