[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I don't believe this is correct. The backup files for my iPod Touch certainly seem to include my music and videos.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414

Originally Posted by Apple

Backing up your iPhone or iPod touch

Your iPhone and/or iPod touch is backed up by iTunes each time you:

• Sync with iTunes (automatically on the first sync, every time you connect it to the computer)
• Update in iTunes (occurs automatically without prompting)
• Restore in iTunes (prompts you to create a backup before the restore process begins)

Although iTunes backs up most of your iPhone and iPod touch settings, downloaded applications, your audio, video, and photo content are not included in the backup.

Originally Posted by HarryT

We may be talking slightly at cross-purposes here. What I was referring to was the "backup and restore" process which takes place when you install a major f/w update - in my case from f/w 1 to 2. In that situation, it is unquestionably the case that all my "content" got backed up and restored (and it took an eternity to do it, too!). That may be something different to a "normal" backup.

Again, only settings, etc are copied to your computer when doing a backup. The backup process is the same regardless of whether you're doing a simple backup or you're updating the firmware. If you try monitoring the backup folder, you'll notice that your music and media don't get copied over. Sure, your media remain intact, but that's because there's really no reason they should be affected by the firmware update process. Besides, why would iTunes need to backup large music and video collections when you already have them in your iTunes library?

If you've replaced an iPhone and don't have iTunes set to automatically sync, you'll notice that doing a restore only transfers settings and other data. Media don't get transferred over until you do a sync.