In simple terms, an Ipod has rechargeable battery power, a speaker (and also a color LCD acreen on video models), a processor (CPU) which can execute instructions, and programs of code instructions which the processor can execute to load, decode, and play audio files (and for video Ipods, code to decode and play videos).

The media (music and videos) for the Ipod are digitally encoded (sound, video etc described as numbers). Most Ipod media formats are compressed formats which reduce the size of each media file while sacrificing an amount of quality (more compression usually means lower quality). The most common media file formats for Ipods are MP3 audio and MP4 video.

The free Apple program Itunes is used to organize and transfer music and videos onto the Ipod. Media can be bought from the Itunes store or other media files of the correct format can be dragged to the word Library. The new media files can then be "Synced" to your Ipod if your Ipod is connected to your computer (using the USB cable that comes with the Ipod. The USB cable is connected between your Ipod and your computer.  This cable connection is also used to recharge most Ipods.

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