question about how rockbox works

[zmac5407]

i have seen some screenshots of what rockbox looks like, and i noticed that it has the categories "Files, Database, Now Playing, Settings, Recording, Playlist, Plugins and System", i have an iPod video and haven't put rockbox on it yet and was wondering, if i "click" on database (or files) does it show the categories of "Coverflow, Artist, Album, Video, Photos" etc.  like the original firmware/software (or whatever its called) on the iPod?
 

[psycho_maniac]

search the wiki for database. although if you do you get 542 topics so i will help you. here is all the info on the database. anymore may be in the manual.
http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/DataBase

[pixelma]

... does it show the categories of "Coverflow, Artist, Album, Video, Photos" etc.  like the original firmware/software (or whatever its called) on the iPod?

I'm not completely sure but isn't the "coverflow" feature something that got added in newer Ipods or their firmware? Just trying to read between the lines here and point to the fact that Rockbox only runs on the players listed on the frontpage. So if my conclusion is correct that you got one of the 2nd or 3rd generation Nanos or the Ipod Classic you won't be able to use Rockbox.

[nls]

Also rockbox uses _nothing_ from the original firmware but is a full replacement.

[zmac5407]

ok, so...can i still watch videos on it?

[LambdaCalculus]

Can you at least confirm for pixelma (and everyone else here) if you're using a newer iPod Classic, or if it's most definitely an iPod video?

The iPod videos have a white or black front with a metal back, and the Classics have an aluminum front and metal back.

[zmac5407]

yes, its definitely without a doubt, a 5.5G 80GB iPod Video

[LambdaCalculus]

Okay, I'll take your word for it.

You can still watch videos, but bear in mind that:

A) The performance with Mpegplayer is still poor on the iPod video, partly because we're doing all decoding in software and we're not using the Broadcom chip in the video, and
B) You'll have to convert videos to MPEG-2, which is supported by Rockbox.

You may want to have a look at the Mpegplayer wiki page for more information.

[zmac5407]

thank you, everyone, for all your help
im going to install rockbox now  

[zmac5407]

one more question first....
if i install rockbox, can i still use the original iTunes library to manage files? or do i use something else

[psycho_maniac]

you can and then  you can use the database in rockbox.

[zmac5407]

im confused, so say if i buy a few songs on iTunes and upload a CD to iTunes, can i "sync" my iPod with iTunes still??

[LambdaCalculus]

Purchased songs from iTunes will not work in Rockbox; there is no (and may never be) support for DRM'ed songs.

You can still rip CDs in iTunes and sync with the iPod while using Rockbox. Just make sure you use the Database to see all of your new songs.

[zmac5407]

ohh...sc**w that then! it's not worth losing half my songs!

[GodEater]

Purchased songs from iTunes will not work in Rockbox; there is no (and may never be) support for DRM'ed songs.

To be specific, iTunes songs which have not been purchased as DRM Free will not play in Rockbox. The DRM un-encumbered songs from iTunes will work just fine.