USB for c2XX, e2XX, M:Robe 100, H10, iPod 4G, Mini, Mini 2G, Nano, Color & Video

[Bagder]

It's really not possible with standard UMS. Two devices can't access the disk at the same time. Rockbox would need to have access to it for playback to work, and your computer would need to have access to it for file transfer to work.

But it's "just software" so surely we could in theory create an internal mutex system so that Rockbox's audio playback parts can block out the USB stack while it accesses the disk and then let in in again while it plays from ram only.

I'm not saying it would be easy or even desirable, only that it should be possible.

[Llorean]

It may be technically possible, but the way it was explained to me is that the host operating system is the real issue. Since Windows (or whatever) assumes it's the only user of the filesystem, and we're exporting it as a block device, any changes we might make to the filesystem (updating .cfg, nvram, etc) could confuse the host operating system and we can't do anything about their side to make them realize the filesystem has multiple users.

I suppose a partial solution to this would be if the filesystem were read-only within Rockbox when this is occurring. I seem to recall other complications that arise there, but that were at least more addressable.

[cool_walking_]

complications that arise there

* cool_walking_ can't believe he remembers this, when he doesn't remember what he had for dinner 3...2 .. maybe it was 4 hours ago?

http://www.rockbox.org/irc/log-20080421#09:08:59

[arwa]

Great news! Thank you very much. This was a very important feature that was missing on my e200. I am happily looking forwared for 3.2.

[Mega]

On ipod mini 1G, the battery doesn't charge on rockbox usb mode.

[theJesus]

Does this mean it will be possible to charge the sansa (e200) via usb while playing music?

Also, in regards to the issue about the pc and rockbox accessing the disk "at the same time", could that be helped by a driver on the pc?  So that way the pc will know that it's "sharing" the device.

[InnocentBystander]

Awesome!  I've been a Rockbox user for months, but I just registered a new account specifically to say THANK YOU! for this.

You guys rock.

I've got an Ipod 5.5g, so I'll be testing on that.  So far it seems to be working just fine.  Files copy back and forth, and the transition from USB mode back into the menu when I eject it is silky smooth.  

So, looks great so far.

One question, though:  what does this do to the database updating?  Does it now automagically update the database?  Does "update automatically" still function?  Do I need to reboot to get it to update?  (Ok, that's three questions, but they're related.)

Thanks again!

[Llorean]

Database updating never had anything to do with USB. The options for it are still exactly what they were before.

[saratoga]

Does this mean it will be possible to charge the sansa (e200) via usb while playing music?

Its been possible to do that for a while.  Charging is separate from USB and was enabled earlier. 

Also, in regards to the issue about the pc and rockbox accessing the disk "at the same time", could that be helped by a driver on the pc?  So that way the pc will know that it's "sharing" the device.

You can use other protocols like MTP that allow sharing the disk, so in theory if someone wrote an MTP driver for rockbox you could do both at the same time.

[DrRemulak]

Thank you many times for this new update.  Working great already!

Are there plans to allow a user to get out of USB mode without unplugging the USB cable from the PC?

In the past, it was possible to use Rockbox, hold down the circular button on the E200, plug in the USB cable and Rockbox would continue to function fine, even charging the battery.

Now it seems that, if the USB cable is connected, Rockbox functionality is disabled.  Likewise, if I hold down the circular button and plug in the USB cable, the Rockbox continues to play but I can't get into USB mode without disconnecting and reconnecting the cable.

It would be nice to allow the user to toggle back and forth between Rockbox mode and USB mode... but based on the conversations above ... perhaps that is not possible.

[saratoga]

In the past, it was possible to use Rockbox, hold down the circular button on the E200, plug in the USB cable and Rockbox would continue to function fine, even charging the battery.

Now it seems that, if the USB cable is connected, Rockbox functionality is disabled. 

Just  a heads up, but this part is explained in the first post of this thread. 

[rasher]

Are there plans to allow a user to get out of USB mode without unplugging the USB cable from the PC?

This is possible since r20139 earlier today. Simply eject the device using your OS's feature for this.

[yapper]

This doesn't seem to work with the c250 - it disconnects after an eject, but the USB icon remains on screen. (I'm using the new bootloader - not sure if that is relevant or not)

[DrRemulak]

This doesn't seem to work with the c250 - it disconnects after an eject, but the USB icon remains on screen. (I'm using the new bootloader - not sure if that is relevant or not)

Same behavior I see with my e280 and I'm also using the new bootloader and my version of RB is r20143-090228

[yapper]

c240 with r20146 and regular bootloader also does the same (disconnects, but display still shows USB logo)