iPod 5th Gen - mp3, FLAC playback skipping

[scaryDon]

Hello,

I've seen this question posted a number of times in the forum but I've not found a solution that fixes the problem for me.

Problem: FLAC files and mp3 files skip during playback. This happens with every file that I've tried so far. The file plays for a little while, sometimes 2s sometimes 30 seconds. The playback then starts skipping. It will play for a short time (~ 2s) then stop for a short time (1-2 s). Pausing and then resuming playback seems to delay the return of the problem but it does come back eventually.

Device (according to serial number look up):
Model Family:   iPod 5th Gen
Processor:   80MHz PP5021C ()
Base Memory:   32MB
Base Storage:   60GB 1.8" 4200RPM ZIF
Model Number:   A1136

Rockbox Info:
Free: 46.1 GB
Disk: 55.7 GB
Buffer: 60.2 MB
Version: 3.13


What I've tried so far:
- Disable equalizer
- Disable crossfeed
- Anti-skip buffer set to 1min
- Disable crossfade

Any help that any one could provide would be much appreciated. I tried to be very detailed in the description of the problem but please let me know if I've missed anything.

Thank you

[scaryDon]

Hello Folks.

I may have solved my own problem by continuing to tinker with the settings.

I had changed my anti-skip buffer to 5 minutes (I thought) and hadn't experienced the skipping in several songs. I went to check that setting just now to confirm before posting but it's set at 1 minute. So I'm not sure if I've done anything.

Anyone have any thoughts as to what might be happening here?

[scaryDon]

Premature update I guess. The problem still exists.

I have now changed my anti-skip buffer to 5 minutes and I'm trying again.

[saratoga]

The anti-skip buffer is only for the hard drive spin up time, so it won't matter here unless you're getting the skips because the hard disk is taking too long to spin up. 

I would try a newer build before anything else. 

[scaryDon]

Many thanks for the quick reply and the information about the anti-skip buffer.

I am going to try installing the development version 7272a95.

I also have a few more pieces of troubleshooting information.

- The iPod does not have trouble playing some mp3 files with the present setup
- The iPod also does not have trouble playing some FLAC files with the present setup
- I connected the iPod to a PC and was able to successfully play the problematic FLAC files from the iPod's HDD using VLC
- From foobar2000 general info about a problematic FLAC file:
Duration: 4:50.157 (12 795 904 samples)
File size: 31.9 MB (33 482 039 bytes)
Sample rate: 44100 Hz
Channels: 2
Bits per sample: 16
Bitrate: 922 kbps
Codec: FLAC
Encoding: lossless
Embedded cuesheet: no

- From foobar2000 general info about a good FLAC file:
Duration: 2:59.240 (7 904 484 samples)
File size: 23.2 MB (24 416 687 bytes)
Channels: 2
Bits per sample: 16
Bitrate: 1089 kbps
Codec: FLAC
Encoding: lossless
Tool: reference libFLAC 1.1.3 20061120
Embedded cuesheet: no

I don't know a whole lot about this stuff but I'm guessing that processing HP on the iPod isn't the problem because it will play the file that has the higher bit rate without problems. Is that correct?

[scaryDon]

Updating to development version 7272a95 appears to have solved the problem. I've been listening to the problematic FLAC files for an hour or more now with out any skipping.

Thank you.