Are Rockbox database files identical across different iPod models?

[iPodVT]

I have several different models of iPods that all have the exact same directory trees and music libraries.  If they all have model-appropriate versions of the same build of Rockbox, could I build the database on just one iPod and then successfully use copies of the same database files on the other iPods?

[rockbox_dev123]

Yes.

You can even build the database on a PC using the database tool or the simulator and then transfer it to the iPods. However if you use macOS then as explained to me by chris_s:

One word of warning – after trying this myself - with regard to special characters used in filenames:

The simulator on MacOS seems to store filenames as decomposed Unicode in the database (even with a FAT filesystem underneath). When attempting to use that same database on device, it expects the precomposed form and thus won't find these files.

E.g. the letter é is represented as hexadecimal C3 A9 (letter e with acute accent)  for a database built on device, but as 65 CC 81 (letter e and combining acute accent) when built using the simulator.


I don't know and haven't looked into the reasons for that or how it can be fixed yet, but it should be added to the list of known issues.

NB: Same thing applies to the database tool compiled on MacOS

[iPodVT]

Thank you very much for your reply and the confirmation I was hoping for.