iPod 6G / Classic Rockbox questions from a n00b

[F4LL0U7]

Hello, first post here.  I own the iPod 6G / Classic 1G, 80GB.  I also own the iPod Mini 2G, 6GB.  I'd like to free both of them and I'm really happy to see that Rockbox finally has a usable version for the Classic.  I just had some questions about it before I implement it.

I read as much info as I could find on this site, but couldn't find any in-depth documentation on the Classic.  My questions below are directed at the Classic/6G version, although I am open to all pointers since I am new to this.

1.  Since the Classic version of Rockbox is still so new, I'm expecting a few critical updates to increase stability.  What is the update process?  Can I use the same update process that's available for supported models, or is there a convoluted process because the Classic isn't fully supported yet?

2.  I have iPod dock ports for my Pioneer car stereo and portable iLuv stereo, neither of which control the iPod directly aside from volume (I use the buttons on the iPod to control it).  Will my Classic still work with those devices using the dock ports, or will I have to use the aux ports?  Will it still charge with accessories like that?  The accessory page on this site doesn't have Classic-specific info on that yet.

All the information on this site has been really helpful.  I'm really looking forward to ditching iTunes forever.
Post Merge: April 06, 2011, 11:32:32 AMSorry, one more:

3.  I'm going to be doing the process outlined here: http://www.freemyipod.org/wiki/EmCORE_Installation/iPodClassic/DFUNoiTunes

Will I have to install that custom device driver for Windows 7 on every computer I want to use my Classic with?  Or just the computer I use to load Rockbox?  Would every computer after that simply recognize the iPod as an external USB drive?

[Chronon]

1. In the vast majority of cases, updating Rockbox amounts to unzipping a rockbox.zip to the root of your player.  Some exceptions are the Cowon D2, where Rockbox is installed to an SD card due to lack of write capability to internal storage, and possibly some instances of "Rockbox as an Application".  If a player is supported then Rockbox Utility should extract the archive to the correct location for you.

2. It probably has different hardware and will thus need drivers to take advantage of the iPod Accessory Protocol code that's in Rockbox already.

Technically, "unusable" ports aren't supported on the forums.  I'm not sure what's keeping the Classic from being considered "Unstable", but that's usually the crossover when a player is considered supported here.

[saratoga]

I think its "unusable" because of the complicated install process mostly. 

[F4LL0U7]

This weekend I successfully RockBoxed my iPod Classic.  It works pretty flawlessly so far.

The only issue I'm having is using it with my Pioneer car stereo (this one: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NFC6V2/ ).

The iPod functions with no issues when connected via the dock port to my iLuv portable stereo.  However, when plugged into my car stereo via the dock port, the iPod enters USB mode and I am no longer able to play music with it.  Is there some way to prevent it from entering USB mode?

I have Car Adapter mode, Accessory Power Supply, and Charge During USB Connection all turned ON at this point.

[soap]

Press and hold "Menu" while inserting the USB cable to prevent Rockbox from going into USB mode.

[F4LL0U7]

Works like a charm!  Thank you very much!

[paulbrannan]

Hi,

whilst we are talking about the classic, I can't get .ogg files to play. Are they not supported yet?

[besweeet]

More noob questions... Can't really pin-point the answer, either.

1. When installing Rockbox onto a Classic 1G 80GB, you won't be able to go back into the stock firmware, correct? If so, then that's somewhat disappointing. The stock firmware is a fine OS, and I'd still like to go into it so that I can play some of the iPod Games that I've purchased.

2. Is iPod Linux compatible with the Classic, now that there's a decent boot loader? My guess at this point in time is "no".

[saratoga]

No dual boot, and no ipod linux.