Problem with iPod skipping

[OriginalCrash]

I've tried Rockbox three different times on three different iPods (old 20 GB U2, 1st gen Nano, and 5.5 gen 80 GB)... every time I've had to deal with a lot of skipping... anywhere from almost never (rarely) to about every 30-45 seconds (at its worst).  Does anyone know the cause of this?  I love Rockbox but just can't deal with skipping like that in playback.  I've used both the manual install (on the U2 and Nano) and the installer program (on all three).  My music is in AAC format, a mixture of 128 kbps and 256 kbps VBR, mostly (obviously, I know the protected files are not supported, so I'm talking about all my unprotected music here...).  Anyway, let me know if any more info would help... And thanks!

Brian

[GodEater]

I can only speak for my own iPod here, which is a 5.5G 80GB - and can say I only had this shortly after the original MoB stuff went in - although I think that was coincidence - it was a different commit that actually caused it.

However, I've not seen it for a very long time now. We might be comparing apples with oranges though, as I have no AAC format music at all - mine is all either MP3 or Vorbis.

[MarcGuay]

The revision number of the build you're using might be useful.  Also, there's a note on the SoundCodecs page which mentions that the iPods 1 gen-3 gen might have problems if a lot of sound controls are being used, but maybe it's more prevalent.

[Llorean]

AAC is also far, far, far from the best optimized codec for Rockbox. Try using one we actually support well, and you'll have a much better experience.

[OriginalCrash]

Well, as far as the build number, I don't remember at the moment... it's always been whatever was most recent at the time (the last time I tried it was a couple months ago).  As for the file format... any suggestions on the best way to mass convert about 30 gigs of AAC files to a better choice?

Brian

[GodEater]

Well, as far as the build number, I don't remember at the moment... it's always been whatever was most recent at the time (the last time I tried it was a couple months ago).

You should perhaps take note of the forum guideline which asks you test whatever you're about to report against the *latest* build. Not from one a couple of months ago.

  As for the file format... any suggestions on the best way to mass convert about 30 gigs of AAC files to a better choice?

I wouldn't really recommend transcoding at all - but there are lots of things which will do it for you if don't care about the lousy results you'll get.

[OriginalCrash]

R17981 on a 5.5 gen 80 GB iPod... same problem... Any helpful advice?

Brian

[MarcGuay]

Maybe turning off all of ther sound settings will free up some of the player's imagination?  Are you using a lot of heavy filtering/EQ?

[GodEater]

And please try with at least a few tracks that use a different (and hopefully better optimised) codec such as MP3 or Vorbis.

[OriginalCrash]

As far as eq/filtering... I had the eq set to "rock" and the bass and treble up an additional 3 dB... let's see... I had crossfade and crossfeed on... I'll try converting a few of my files to MP3 and see if I have any better luck...

Brian

[NicolasP]

Well I think you don't need to convert your files because I'm pretty sure it won't make a difference (especially with MP3, which isn't much more efficient than AAC). Crossfeed + EQ + Crossfade is far too intensive for the iPod's limited CPU. You need to try deactivating some of those to see which combination will work without skipping.

[OriginalCrash]

Ah, that's too bad... Those three features were the key reasons I wanted to run Rockbox.  Out of curiosity, are any of the other supported players "beefy" enough to handle that much processing?

Brian

[MarcGuay]

I believe the Gigabeat has the strongest processor.  This page has quite a few details:

http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/DeviceChart

[NicolasP]

Basically I think pretty much any non-PortalPlayer (PP) target will do. Hopefully, even PP targets should be capable of running those effects one day (when we start making good use of the second core).

[cool_walking_]

Shouldn't increasing the anti-skip buffer help?