using ipod 5.5g OFW with Rockbox

[naz4viper]

Hi everyone,

First I would like to say thank you for all the hard work the developers put into this project. I'm an just in awe at all of the various customizations and abilities that I now can enjoy by loading Rockbox firmware on my ipod video 5.5gen.   

I loaded the latest stable release (3.8.1) yesterday and everything is working fine.  But I have some questions about using my ipod with original firmware (OFW).

The issue I am planning on installing an aftermarket ipod integration adapter that will allow me to control the ipod using the factory radio/steering wheel controls in my car. So, it's not just an auxiliary input.  The adapter connects to the ipod's dock connector on the bottom.  The official ipod firmware is supported obviously and I am just assuming Rockbox will not work with this adapter.

I know I can dual-boot with the original firmware by using the hold switch.  But when I did that, the OFW did not recognize any of my files already loaded into the player by drag & drop (using windows).  So I have several questions about this:

1. Is there a way for ipod OFW to recognize & play files that were loaded into the player by drag & drop ? How?
2. If the answer to #1 is 'No', then is there a way I can easily move files to AND FROM the ipod without any renaming or conversion process that iTunes does.  I really want to avoid using iTunes at all costs.  And I also want to avoid having my files renamed & hidden  in various folders or transcoded into other audio formats like how Apple originally designed this.
3. Assuming there's a method to do what I described in #2, can the rockbox database read & catalog the meta-data from files that were transferred using the method in #2 ?

To sum up
I basically want the ability to freely move files to and from my PC (windows) and ipod without any renaming/hiding/transcoding of files and have BOTH ipod OFW and Rockbox boot and load/play the files so I can dual boot into whichever firmware I need whether I'm in the car (OFW) or not (Rockbox).

[soap]

1 - Not really.

2 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_iPod_managers
iTunes (assuming you are feeding it formats the OFW can play) does not convert your music unless you tell it to.  Renaming is par for the course for an iPod and OFW.  iTunes or not you will have it.

3 - http://download.rockbox.org/daily/manual/rockbox-ipodvideo/rockbox-buildch4.html#x7-440004.2

[chileboy]

naz4viper, I am in the same position as you, except my system is an after-market.

What I am using is foobar2000 http://www.foobar2000.org/ with the iPod Manager component:  http://yuo.be/ipod.php

It will allow you to easily read-and-write your files in the OF format, and the Rockbox database has no issues with it.  foobar2000 has a number of other neat features as well.

Not a perfect solution, since the iPod directory structure is so abysmal, but you'll find it becomes almost a non-issue with this setup - I am very happy with it.

- Mark

[naz4viper]

excellent suggestions!  thanks soap & chileboy.

@chileboy btw, my car ipod adapter is also after-market.  I'm planning on installing it myself this weekend    I got the USA-Spec PA15-HON2 for my 2007 honda accord.
as far as foobar goes, i'll try it out.   I downloaded clementine music player, and it's ok.