How to use the iPod Camera Connector

The iPod Camera Connector allows you to import photos directly from a compatible USB digital camera or media reader¹ to your iPod photo, iPod with color display, or Fifth Generation iPod (it won't work with other iPod models including iPod nano). After you've imported your pictures, you can view them on iPod or transfer them to your computer later for editing, printing, sharing, or storing. If you want to display the photos on a TV, then you'll have to transfer them to your computer, and then back to your iPod.

To find out how to determine which cameras are supported, click here. You can also check your camera documentation to see if it supports either PTP, Type 4 (also known as "Normal"), or Mass Storage protocols. Some cameras store movies and sound recordings. Depending on the camera protocol being used, these items can also be transferred to iPod with the iPod Camera Connector. For more information on selecting a camera protocol click here.

Here's how to use the iPod Camera Connector with your iPod.

Importing photos

1. To use the iPod Camera Connector, your iPod must be running iPod Software 1.1 or later. See "iPod: How to find software version" to determine which version of iPod Software you are running.
2. Make sure that both your iPod and camera have a charge.
3. Turn on your iPod and attach the iPod Camera Connector to your iPod's dock connector.
4. Turn on your camera, and set it to the correct mode for photo importing (if needed).
5. Connect the camera to the iPod Camera Connector using the USB cable that came with your camera.
6. On your iPod, select Import to start the process. When it finishes, your photos will be listed on the iPod by roll number.

Note: Do not disconnect the iPod Camera Connector or camera during the importing process.

Viewing imported photos on iPod

1. From the main menu on your iPod, choose Photos > Photo Import, and then choose the roll you want to view.
2. Choose Browse to display your photos. Click here for an explanation of the icons that may appear in place of a thumbnail.

Note: To view a slideshow of your imported photos on iPod or on a television connected to iPod, you must transfer them to your computer first, and then reimport them to your iPod using iTunes.

Transferring photos to your computer

1. Connect your iPod to your computer.
2. Open the application you normally use to transfer photos from your digital camera (see the documentation that came with your camera for more information). If you are using a Mac, you can use iPhoto or Image Capture to transfer photos.
3. Import your photos as usual.

Tip: Photos are stored in a DCIM (digital camera images) folder on iPod. You can also transfer images to your computer by opening this folder and dragging the image files to the desktop. To do this, your iPod must be enabled for use as a hard disk.

Tips and Troubleshooting

• If your camera didn't come with a USB cable, you'll need to purchase one. See the camera manufacturer's website to find compatible cables.
• If photos aren't transferring, make sure your camera is turned on and set to the correct mode for importing photos (see the instructions provided with your camera). Also be sure that all cables are connected firmly to your camera, to the iPod Camera Connector, and to your iPod.
• For more information about importing and viewing photos on iPod and viewing slideshows, see the iPod User's Guide. For the latest version of the iPod User's Guide, visit the iPod Service & Support site.
• You may notice that your iPod's remaining charge icon may turn from green to red during the iPod Camera Connector photo import, but when the import is complete, the battery indicator returns to green. This is expected behavior as iPod's battery indicator is approximate.
• The iPod's About menu (Settings > About) shows the total number of photos that have been synced from iTunes to iPod. This does not include newly imported photos from the iPod Camera Connector. Choose Photos > Photo Import to see how many photos you've imported with iPod Camera Connector. Each roll will have a number in parentheses next to it. This indicates the total number of imported items for that roll.
• If you see 0 Photos, 0 KB when attempting to import but you know there are pictures to import, try disconnecting the iPod Camera Connector from both the iPod and your camera. Then reconnect the camera and iPod and try again.
• Try changing the camera's transfer mode from Normal (Type 4) to PTP if you are still unable to copy photos to iPod (check you camera's documentation to see how to change the transfer mode).

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