Apple iPod Classic

[guysmiley]

I have been searching the forums regrading the subject of the iPod Classic for a while now. Most of the results I have found have been topics where a user has asked a question, and been replied to with answers like "this question has been asked before" and "please search the forums before posting". Please do not tell me off, I'm new here, and doing my best.

After sifting though all the information. I have guested that Rockbox will not, and will never work with the iPod Classic. Is this information correct?

I think that this is not good enough. It is in my opinion that it is essential for Rockbox to work on the iPod Classic. It is essential because we should not be dictated to by Apple. We should have the freedom of choice when it comes down to what software we use, and what operating system we use.

Rockbox has done a very good job so far. But users that require more capacity out of a small light weight device are forced to either use a Windows or Mac machine with iTunes, or settle for less capacity and carry around less than half there music collection. This is sad because it is obvious we have the technology. And therefore should not have to do without. This is an outrage.

I'm not pointing the finger at Rockbox here. I do believe that if it was doable it would be done. But I can't help but feel that we can do something about this. Is it a matter of fund-raising  and hiring skilled programmers? I don't know. Anyone else out there who feels that same as I do feel free to reply and maybe we can fight for this one.

If I have the wrong end of the stick please someone let me know.

Could someone please tell me what the highest capacity iPod is that Rockbox will work on. How do I identify it. I'm looking for support for Ogg and FLAC mostly. Sound quality is important to me also.

Thanks.

[AlexP]

The list of supported models is on the front page of www.rockbox.org and as you can see for that the largest supported iPod is the 80 Gb video.  There is a page somewhere on the apple website that tells you how to identify models.

The new iPods have new, completely undocumented hardware.  That is hard enough to write code for.  Additionally the firmware is completely encrypted.  No-one has found an exploit yet.  If an exploit is not found, then it will not happen, end of story.  

I'd like to see it happen as much as anyone, but it just isn't that easy.  Either Apple/Samsung (I think the new iPods use Samsung SoCs) gives us the docs (don't hold your breath) or someone locates a hitherto unfound exploit.

[GodEater]

Even finding an exploit would still make the process extremely lengthy. All that gives you is a way to execute code which Apple have not approved. But what code do you then run? You can't disassemble the existing firmware because of the encryption, so you don't even have that method of working backwards to find out how to tell the hardware to do things.

In short - funding and getting coders better than we have already (which would be nigh on impossible - in my experience they're about the best you'll find anywhere) won't make a blind bit of difference.

[AlexP]

Even finding an exploit would still make the process extremely lengthy. All that gives you is a way to execute code which Apple have not approved. But what code do you then run? You can't disassemble the existing firmware because of the encryption, so you don't even have that method of working backwards to find out how to tell the hardware to do things.

This is very true, but first things first.

In short - funding and getting coders better than we have already (which would be nigh on impossible - in my experience they're about the best you'll find anywhere) won't make a blind bit of difference.

I wholeheartedly agree.

[Llorean]

The issue is more that it is a VERY long, and QUITE difficult process to get Rockbox running on a target. It requires, generally speaking, not only someone talented, but someone who has a dedication to that specific target for one reason or another.

What this means for the iPod classic is that your better bet is to find programmers who already own the classic, love it, but want more from it, than people who already own other players, love them, and already have Rockbox on them and are currently interested in improving Rockbox on those players.

[guysmiley]

Thanks for all the information, it has been very helpful and informative.

It looks like I'm going to settle for a 80GB iPod Video. How do I make sure what I am buying is the 80GB iPod Video and not the 80GB iPod Classic. What is the difference between them? Is the Classic just the latest version?

Looking on the Apple website I can not find any information for the iPod Video. I have found information on a Fifth Generation iPod. Is this the same thing?

The other day when I was looking in a store I saw what they called a 3rd Generation 80GB iPod. I was mixed up and thought it was a 3rd Generation 80GB iPod Classic. Or is that correct?

You can see that I've very mixed up between all these iPods. Could somebody please help me out and tell me what to buy? I would like to buy one today.

Thanks again guys.

[Chronon]

Yes, the 5g iPod is colloquially referred to as the iPod Video.  I know that there are differences in the serial numbers for the different models.  Though I don't know, off the top of my head, what the distinctions are.  

The only current 3rd generation iPod that I'm aware of is the 3rd generation Nano.  Meanwhile, the only 80GB model that they are selling at the moment is the 80GB Classic.  If you want a 5g (or 5.5g) iPod then you will have to peruse sources of used electronics -- maybe some sort of auction site. . .

[MarcGuay]

There's some info on the iPod FAQ page in the wiki about how to identify what iPod you're looking at.

[cool_walking_]

There are quite a few iPod 5/.5G's on eBay.

With the money you save on getting a (second-hand, old model) 5/.5G instead of a Classic, you can grab a bigger hard drive for it (the "ZIF 40" connector drives), and chuck the old HDD back on eBay. I did this with my 60GB (now 100GB).

I just noticed the 30GB 5G is thinner than the 60/80GB, so if you buy a 30GB initially, you'd need to buy a bigger backplate to fit the new hard drive.

[guysmiley]

Looks like I'm going to go for a second hand iPod. I've found a 80GB 5.5 Generation. If I fill up my 80GB hard drive, what is the largest hard drive I can upgrade to?

Also are the dimensions of the 5.5 Generation iPod different than that of the iPod Classic?

Thank you everyone.

[psycho_maniac]

i think with the zif connections you can get as high as 100gb as of now. check the wiki page http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/HardDriveReplacement and that will tell you for sure. May i ask why you want a ipod?

[guysmiley]

I don't really, however I have been forced into so that I can have my needs met.

I wanted a portable player that was responsibly light, and good looking. Also it much have efficient  hard drive space, the ability to play FLAC and OGG, and work on Linux.

About 24 months ago I got myself the 20GB iAUDIO. It is and still is the closest thing on the market to met my needs. But is lacking in hard drive space, looks, weight, and accessories. In my country I can not even get a car charger for it.

The iPod is the opposite to the iAUDIO, having the better looks weight, and hard drive space.

Rockbox should give me what I need out of a iPod.

[pheebster]

The only current 3rd generation iPod that I'm aware of is the 3rd generation Nano.

I have seen the new pastel-colored Shuffles referred to as 3rd generation. I just bought a purple one and a blue one, and both of them work wonderfully as drag-and-drop mass storage devices in Windows because I installed the iPod Shuffle Database Builder in the root of each player's drive. No iTunes needed.

[GodEater]

I have seen the new pastel-colored Shuffles referred to as 3rd generation. I just bought a purple one and a blue one, and both of them work wonderfully as drag-and-drop mass storage devices in Windows because I installed the iPod Shuffle Database Builder in the root of each player's drive. No iTunes needed.

Which is all well and good - but has nothing to do with Rockbox.