Formats

iTunes U Public Site Manager and Course Manager support the distribution of compressed audio and video files. Apple recommends using the following formats for your audio and video content:

  • Audio files (AAC, MP3) with appropriate file extensions (.m4a, .mp3). For best results during playback, Apple recommends converting MP3 files greater than 32 megabytes (MB) to AAC format. For AAC audio files, Apple recommends the following specifications:

    • Audio Format: Baseline Low-Complexity Profile with AAC-LC (Music)

    • Data Rate: Up to 160 Kbps

    • Channels: Stereo (in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov formats)

    • Output Sample Rate: 48 kHz

    • Encoding Quality: Better

  • Video files (MPEG-4 with H.264 compression) with appropriate file extensions (.mp4, .m4v, .mov). For best results with iPod, Apple recommends using MPEG-4 with H.264 compression with the following specifications:

    • Video Format: MPEG-4 with H.264

    • Data Rate: Up to 1.5 Mbps

    • Image Size: 640 x 480 pixels

    • Frame Rate: 30 frames per second

    • Key Frame: Every 24 frames

    • Audio Tracks: Baseline Low-Complexity Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps

You can also use iTunes U to distribute Portable Document Format (PDF) and electronic publication (ePub) files. ePub files must pass ePubCheck 1.0.5, include only files listed in the manifest, and use UTF-8/16 characters. For more details, read the complete ePub specification at http://www.idpf.org/specs.htm.

PDF and ePub files appear in iTunes U and the iTunes U library with a book icon. To open a PDF or ePub file, download the file and double-click the file. iBooks or another reader is required (download the free iBooks application from the App store). You cannot preview a PDF or ePub file in iTunes U.

Editing and conversion software

If your audio or video files are not in the appropriate format, there is free software available to help you convert your content into the correct format. Below is a listing of free software available to download:

Audio conversion programs

Video conversion programs

If you are using QuickTime to create and edit video content, it is recommended that you export your videos by choosing “Movie to iPod” from the Export pop-up menu in QuickTime Pro.