[stevewillows]

It depends on the version, but you can really trick out iPods. I've got an iPod Video (5.5) with an iFlash Quad [1] (up to 4x micro SD cards) with a 2000mAh battery, running Rockbox [2]

I also replaced the rear panel since I didn't need the beefy 80gb version, and also the lock / headphone jack so they were both solid black.

Rockbox is excellent because it runs off of a basic folder structure, but also has a library option.

You can do the iFlash mod and still use iTunes / the original OS if you like, but Rockbox has proven to be superior in all ways.

If you're on a Mac, be sure to format the main card with a Windows box so its Fat32.

[1] https://www.iflash.xyz/store/iflash-quad/

[2] https://rockbox.org

[arafa]

Seems interesting, especially since I used to use Rockbox. But my iPod Classic/6G is in the Rockbox unstable category and has apparently been that way for 2 years. Bummer, I still use mine all the time. :(

[BigJono]

I've been using Foobar2000 with some iPod plugin to sync my iPod classic for as long as I can remember. It's never failed me yet. That could be another option.

[patrickk]

Which plugin?

I've been trying to break free from iTunes with a modded 5.5 gen, but Rockbox caused endless errors where non-corrupted songs would skip constantly(1). Wiped back to the default Apple firmware, and voila, no skipping. I tried an iPod plugin for Musicbee, and it appeared to work (files were syncing in Musicbee) but the songs and playlists didn't appear on the iPod. So back to iTunes sadly. I'd love to kick it to the curb.

(1) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19712077

[stevewillows]

I used to use iPod Manager [1].

When you add songs, do it from the original firmware. With the iFlash and all that, transferring files while loaded into Rockbox will cause the issue you mentioned... a lesson I learned after transferring about 80gb of FLACs.

When you boot the iPod, lock it right away and it'll boot to the normal firmware. The transfer speeds are better than using disk mode.

https://www.foobar2000.org/components/view/foo_dop

[patrickk]

Thanks for the tip! I did some foobar2000 research yesterday and came across that component. It appears to work, next step is to convert remaining songs to mp3 so everything works as expected. I like foobar2000 lightweight 'feel', Musicbee feels like an explosion of panels everywhere by comparison.

I'm using the original firmware with a while now, it's less error prone and the UI on rockbox isn't exatly polished.

[stevewillows]

fb2k is the best. By fluke I stumbled upon it when it first launched, and I've never looked back.

Rockbox is one of those things that is perfect once you live with it for a while. I've been using it since the iPod Video came out (and on a few devices.) The main thing with Rockbox and the modded iPods (iFlash etc) is limiting the EQ bands and other DSP settings. The Sandisk Clip+ is an unexpectedly killer device for Rockbox -- but like anything, the UI takes some getting used to.

Considering they're working around clickwheels with a center button, d-pads with menu button, some with power buttons, others without... its a bit of a marvel that everything is accessible on the devices that are able to be used -- but like I said, I've been using it for ages and can get around some of the odd navigational quirks.

One of the biggest benefits of Rockbox over the iPod firmware is 'timestretch' / playback speeds for files (podcasts, audiobooks.) Its still my favorite audiobook player.

[arafa]

Thanks for the suggestion. Other friends of mine swear by Foobar2K, but I can't stand the interface (a combination of hard for me to use/configure and bad aesthetics), so much so that I still prefer to use Winamp.

[stevewillows]

The port status for the 6G does look pretty good, though.

https://www.rockbox.org/wiki/IpodClassicPort

[arafa]

Good to know, thanks! I didn't see this.