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Rockbox and the iPod 5.5G

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End_of_Eternity:
I currently have an H340 with Rockbox installed on it. It does pretty much everything I want it to. Unfortunately the battery life is kind of weak after 3/4 years of use. I am not particularly fond of the design, but it does what I need it to and it is a DAP after all, not a fashion accessory. Another problem is that my charger was stolen (along with everything else in my luggage - say thank you to the good people at JFK) and I need to order another one since the battery died before I could start charging it via USB.

So I was thinking of getting a new DAP for New Year's. Now I promised myself to never buy any of Apple's products or support them in any way. Apple is removed company that does everything possible to make the lives of non-Apple/technical users a pain. They might not be evil in the sense that Exxon-mobile is evil, but they are pretty removed bad. But some quick research revealed that there really isn't a product (from any manufacturer) that would satisfy the following requirements:

MP3/FLAC/OGG support (the more formats the better, the ones listed are essential)
At least 40GB space (80GB+ is much more acceptable)
MSC support (removed MTP, I am paying for the hardware, and it will work how I want it work)
Nice design that is as light as possible and not bulky

The only player that comes close to satisfying my requirements is the Cowon A3. As my parents live in Eastern Europe, I should be able to buy this player. While the player kicks removed (I mean MKV with H264/SRT/AC3 support - how cool is that? What about the fact that it can play 720P?), it is a PMP and it's kind of bulky. One of the reasons I want to move away from the H340 is that it's bulky and has a 'classical' design.S

Since I couldn't find a HDD DAP that fits my requirements, I though that I might as well buy a 5.5G iPod and install Rockbox on it. Rockbox might not have MKV support, but for audio related stuff it kicks removed. And I benefit from the iPod's ubiquity and nice design (too bad that 6G isn't supported).
   
Now my question is, how good is Rockbox on the iPod 5.5G? Does it disable the MTP protocol? Can Rockbox make the iPod behave like a normal MSC USB device? Will I be able to use the 'iRockPod' without Apple's malware (iTunes)? Is the support for 5.5G comparable to the Rockbox on the H340? Are there any viable alternatives to an iPod in terms of Rockbox support/device design? I'd love not have to support Apple.

Feel free to suggest any other players (both with and without Rockbox support) that you think might fit my requirements...

Llorean:
Please try to use inoffensive language in our forums. They're technical forums, and there's absolutely no need to use language like that.

The iPod 5G isn't an MTP device, and never was, so Rockbox doesn't change that. Rockbox lets you browse via filetree, as it does on all the other players, meaning you don't need to use iTunes at all.

For a pure audio/video device though, you might want to look into the Gigabeat F as well. It's got a heftier processor, and does video much better.

End_of_Eternity:
Sorry about that swearing  ;D

How does the whole 'SAT wrapping' thing relate to Rockbox? I am guessing the SAT wrapping happens only with the original firmware? I am guessing that it uses MTP as well?

Regarding Rockbox and the 5.5G, does Rockbox support access to regular files (that where added to the iPod via the file function as opposed to their hidden media library system) only, or will I be able to add these files to the meta-data based library?

Llorean:
As I said, with Rockbox, you don't need itunes and it allows direct access to the filetree.

And the Gigabeat too is accessed as UMS, and no special wrapping or programs need (or should) happen.

g00ey:

--- Quote from: Llorean on December 17, 2007, 03:12:28 PM ---The iPod 5G isn't an MTP device, and never was, so Rockbox doesn't change that. For a pure audio/video device though, you might want to look into the Gigabeat F as well. It's got a heftier processor, and does video much better.

--- End quote ---

I don't know if those Gigabeat devices are in production anymore. But they are MTP devices.

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