Best Practices for Loading Rockbox and MP3 Files Onto New iPod Video?

[Bootzilla]

Hi, I have a refurbished 80GB iPod Video 5.5G on the way from Apple that I plan to Rockbox.  I also have about 140GB of FLAC files that I plan to batch convert to VBR MP3 (V0 or V2) using dbPoweramp for installation onto the iPod (i.e., approximately 30-40GB of MP3 files).

My question is this: Should I: (A) install iTunes on my PC and load the MP3s onto the iPod via iTunes before I install Rockbox; (B) install iTunes on my PC and load the MP3s onto the iPod via iTunes after I install Rockbox; or (C) install Rockbox and then drag-and-drop the MP3 files (which will be in separate folders by Artist-Album) directly onto the iPod, thus bypassing iTunes entirely?

Alternatively, should I do none of the above and follow some other order of operations?

Ideally, I would like to be able to access the MP3 files via both Rockbox and the Apple firmware.

I tried to find some info on this question before posting but was not successful.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

[LambdaCalculus]

Option C is the quickest and easiest method of loading music onto a Rockboxed iPod. The only thing you may need iTunes for is just to enable disk use on the iPod. After that, kiss iTunes good-bye, and say hello to liberation!

[Bootzilla]

Thanks for the quick reply!  I would much prefer to use Option C and bypass iTunes, but if I do so, will my MP3 files be accessible should I choose to boot into the iPod's Apple firmware?

[LambdaCalculus]

Sadly, no. iTunes obfuscates the filenames of your tunes and mercilessly stuffs them into a hidden iPod_Control folder on the root of the device. The iPod firmware can not read any tunes copied to any other location on the device's drive, since it also requires a database file that iTunes creates.

You can perform either option A or B if you still need the original firmware. As long as you follow the install instructions in the manual, you'll be good to go.

[Bootzilla]

Thanks again!  I gather from your second post that Options A and B will allow me to access the MP3s through either Rockbox or Apple firmware.  I have read that using Rockbox shortens the time between battery charges.  If that is true, I guess I would like the option to boot up into Apple's firmware when I anticipate a longer listening session.  Is the extra battery life worth the hassle of loading music through iTunes?  Never having owned a PMP or used iTunes before, I guess I don't know.

[LambdaCalculus]

Personally, I hate iTunes. But since everyone has varied opinions, all I can say is just try it out and see what you personally think.

[KindOfBlues71]

I use "Option A/B" with a 30GB 5g iPod Video and use Rockbox most of the time.  I only boot into the Apple firmware to do the following:

-Watch a video/video podcast
-Add/remove content via iTunes or SharePod
-Charge the battery while listening to music (due to Rockbox depleting the battery faster than it can be charged)

Regarding what LambdaCalculus379 said about iTunes obfuscating the file names, this is really only annoying when viewing Playlists, as you'll see "four random characters filename."  If you use Playlists a lot then this would be annoying and you may want to consider "Option C" or use EvilG's custom build that includes a patch to display tracknames from the tags in playlists (but that build is nearly 3mo old now).  Anyway, just thought I'd add my $0.01 opinion.

-KindOfBlues71

[Llorean]

It's also annoying if you don't like to waste disk space and/or RAM on database, and would rather simply use filetree browsing.

[Bootzilla]

I only boot into the Apple firmware to do the following:

-Charge the battery while listening to music (due to Rockbox depleting the battery faster than it can be charged)

Thanks for the reply, KoB.  The Rockbox battery depletion issue is my biggest concern about using Option C (i.e., no iTunes).  I would much rather avoid iTunes altogether, but it seems like doing so could be risky.  As a total newbie, perhaps I should start out loading up my iPod using Option A/B and see how it goes.  I could always wipe the slate clean and start over with Option C later, couldn't I?  Thanks again.

[LambdaCalculus]

Provided that you backup your files and properly restore the iPod in iTunes, then yes, absolutely.

[polygonal]

You can possibly use the ipod OF to listen to music and bypass itunes by using some 3rd party ipod management software. I use the foo_dop plugin for foobar, and I can basically drag n drop my music onto the ipod harddrive, and use foo_dop to build the OF database. I can thus use my own folder structure and filenames instead of submitting to apple's caprice. There is a few caveats though: 1) for some ipod OF, the music has to be in the ipod_control folder (i.e. you have to use ipod_control/music/artist/song etc. instead of placing the music directly in the root); otherwise the OF will refuse to play that song. 2) the limit on the filename length is something like 64 characters.

But with that said, I actually don't remember myself booting into the OF ever (except the disk mode) after I installed rockbox.

[Yotto]

Rockbox doesn't deplete the battery faster than it can be charged if the backlight is off.  Other than the hard drive, the backlight uses more battery than anything.  Turn it off and don't use iTunes.  Future generations will thank you.

[GodEater]

I use the foo_dop plugin for foobar, and I can basically drag n drop my music onto the ipod harddrive, and use foo_dop to build the OF database.

foo_dop and other things like it only work on *some* ipods. This doesn't work at all (for example) on my 5.5G 80GB model.

[tdtooke]

Not sure, but I think now that you can't do that with any iPod with updated firmware.  Add stuff to the database outside of the iPod hidden folders and have it actually work that is.

[LambdaCalculus]

It's best to test that theory to make sure it does, rather than have the theory backfire on you.