IPod users spend very little time watching TV or movies on the device — even those who have a video-specific one, a new study says.

Nielson Media Research monitored the habits of 400 U.S. iPod users during October and found video represented less than one per cent of content played by the group on either iTunes or the iPod. Among those who owned Video iPods, the percentage rose to 2.2.

The numbers didn't improve significantly when measured by viewing/listening time, where 30- or 60-minute TV shows might have an advantage over three-minute songs. Using this yardstick, video accounted for just two per cent of total time spent using iPods or iTunes and 11 per cent for Video iPods.

Researchers found iPod owners were far more likely to listen to music or audio podcasts.

The findings come about a year after Apple Computer introduced a video window in its iPods and launched its corresponding internet platform, iTunes, which allows users to download music, podcasts and video for a fee.

Nielsen's report estimates 13 per cent of U.S. households own at least one iPod, which translates into about 15 million of the devices. Thirty per cent of those are video-enabled.

"To a great extent, that number is driven almost entirely by people looking to play audio," Paul Lindstrom, senior vice-president of custom research at Nielsen told Reuters. "The real question in many ways becomes: What is the next wave?"

The news service said Apple Computer, which is relatively tight-lipped about iPod usage, declined to comment.