Migrating to Rockbox

[jventola]

I just installed the test build of Rockbox for my Sansa e250v2. Great stuff.

The device has a lot of files on it that I got there via Windows Media Player in the days BRB (Before Rockbox). I did this by creating playlists and sync-ing.

I was not able to move my playlists via Windows Player. (I am in process of reading the manual.)

I booted Rockbox and connected to look at the files.  In my Music folder I find only two folders, each with a song or two--but within Rockbox (and OF), I still see all the individual files. They are there, somewhere.

Where are these hidden and why can't I see them, since RB is just a device to Windows Explorer?

More generally, what is the best practice when migrating to RB? It dawns on me that I should maybe start fresh and delete everything and then move things in as folders and sub-directories as RB likes.  That might be quicker then rebuilding playlists, etc.  And should I avoid using WMP in future and just move files in Explorer? (Much more intuitive, anyway.)

[evilnick]

It's pretty much user-preference as to where you store the music. I personally enjoy the freedom to have whatever file/folder structure I want.

It sounds like you'd have to set what files are visible as hidden files will not be shown in the (RB) File browser unless you set this to All. (I'm assuming that WMP will store the files somewhere obfuscated).
To confirm, are you using the Database within Rockbox to see the music?

And finally, reading the manual is the best way to get started!

[jventola]

The whole reason I wanted RB was bookmarks.  (It is annoying to have to fast forward on a long chapter of a book every time.)  I wasn't able to get bookmarks to work, then I read that they don't if you use the database.  That decided me.

I have reformatted the device and re-installed RB.  Now I will just put my files in folders in the MUSIC folder.  I can see them.  And bookmarking works fine now.  Plus, I discovered a theme that actually shows the minutes elapsed.

Now I will build the playlists in RB, not in the Windows Player, which is likely not going to be used.  It is odd.  It took me ages to get the hang of WMP--it is completely not intuitive.  RB is great that way--just drag and drop.

(My musical tastes have nothing to do with the latest pop stuff, so I never need rights managed stuff.  Drag and drop is just fine for me.)

I'll check on that RB browser setting.  Still, if Windows thinks its a USB storage device and the MUSIC folder shows its properties with Hidden NOT checked, I am still wondering why I couldn't see them.  My guess is that the Windows Player installed them funny to please the Rhapsody lawyers.  Just a guess...