Rockbox firmware for iPods

[VinceT3]

One of the guys I work with brought in his iPod with this new software on it. Definitely not apples and I'm sure they aren't happy about it. Completely replaces the iPod software with a much better, very configurable, no iTunes required replacement!

I've been having a blast with it figured I'd share the joy.

www.rockbox.org

 

[rockymtnhigh]

So if you install it, is it easy to go back to the iPod software if you don't like it?

What exactly is the benefit of it? iTunes works fine for me. Does this software accept additional music formats?

 

[rockymtnhigh]

I checked out the iPod manual they had; I don't think anyone could convince me to dump the iPod firmware for it. The reality is that iPod's power is in its simplicity.

Still, I can see how some would find appeal...

 

[VinceT3]

I personally hate the itunes software as do most of the people I work with..

Is it easy to switch back? yeah.. theres a program you use to install and uninstall the firmware.. you can also dual boot with this software (go back to ipod firmware for a short time)..

I love the skinning feature.. copying music straight to the drive and not having to go through itunes.. priceless... they added some features that weren't part of some of the older systems.. like games.. video support.. more acceptable music types.. etc.. I had an old color/photo ipod I decided to try it on.. I give them a lot of props for making a very cool app for everyone..

They also added some cool features for the blind.. you can add a voice to repeat everything to you, so you don't have to see the screen in order to work the ipod..

Do I recommend it for everyone? no.. but for those who have an ipod collecting dust.. yeah, it may revitalize you're old ipod..

 

[Heavie]

I thought I brick my 30gig video ipod. But, I went to there forum and I read how to get my ipod back to normal. I install the wrong rockbox operating system on my ipod and when it boot up it only show the apple logo. What a scare. Not really a scare because my ipod only sits near my computer and collects dust. So It really was a waste of money buying it and never useing it.. Maybe a little scare. I love trying things and i knew of the lost.

It's fix now and I installed the right rockbox operating system and it works like a charm. I like it. Something different to enjoy.

 

[digiblur]

I personally hate the itunes software as do most of the people I work with..

Is it easy to switch back? yeah.. theres a program you use to install and uninstall the firmware.. you can also dual boot with this software (go back to ipod firmware for a short time)..

I love the skinning feature.. copying music straight to the drive and not having to go through itunes.. priceless... they added some features that weren't part of some of the older systems.. like games.. video support.. more acceptable music types.. etc.. I had an old color/photo ipod I decided to try it on.. I give them a lot of props for making a very cool app for everyone..

They also added some cool features for the blind.. you can add a voice to repeat everything to you, so you don't have to see the screen in order to work the ipod..

Do I recommend it for everyone? no.. but for those who have an ipod collecting dust.. yeah, it may revitalize you're old ipod..

One of the many reasons I passed on the ipod. After I found out you had to go through the stupid software I passed. I just wanted a drive letter with drag and drop jones.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

One of the many reasons I passed on the ipod. After I found out you had to go through the stupid software I passed. I just wanted a drive letter with drag and drop jones.

Is it iTunes you dislike, or the iPod software on the device? I can see how people dislike iTunes (although I'll admit, it works well for me); compared with the software on the device though, I haven't found another mp3 player I like better than the iPod. I guess that's why I am on my third one...

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Can you still play the songs or videos you purchased from Itunes with this?

I wish they had some screen shots of this software.

 

[digiblur]

Is it iTunes you dislike, or the iPod software on the device? I can see how people dislike iTunes (although I'll admit, it works well for me); compared with the software on the device though, I haven't found another mp3 player I like better than the iPod. I guess that's why I am on my third one...

I don't know. I just saw someone transferring music to their IPOD. I didn't play with it but they said they couldn't just drag and drop music like they could with other players. Do the new IPOD's pop up as drive letters when they are hooked up?

 

[Heavie]

I Like it a lot. I was just playing with it and It has a lot of option and setting. They have a lot of themes you can download.

here is the link:
http://www.rockbox-themes.org/index.php?res=320x240x16

It has better eq setting , also bass and treble setting.

This os make the ipod run like windows, linux.

 

[Heavie]

It runs on all ipods, except the 80gig video ipod. They're working on that now.

It also runs on other mp3 player to. Just don't do like I did and install the wrong mp3 player version on your ipod.

 

[Heavie]

Can you still play the songs or videos you purchased from Itunes with this?

I wish they had some screen shots of this software.

Haven't tried that Scott. My battery was dead so I have to allow it to charge. You can always use a program called tunebite to convert itunes music and video files to mp3s, mpeg4 or wmv and wma files.

 

[VinceT3]

I can't answer that, I've never purchased anything on the itunes store..

 

[Heavie]

Very good post and finding VinceT3. I really like this rockbox os. It's like I have a whole new ipod. A more enjoyable ipod.

Last week Joost IPTV and this week Rockbox. I was getting bored and thought about spending some money.

 

[Heavie]

Can you still play the songs or videos you purchased from Itunes with this?

I wish they had some screen shots of this software.

Scott, I found out you can still boot the original os. So it's a dual boot system.

 

[VinceT3]

I wish they had some screen shots of this software.

Here's the best I could do, it won't come in clear no matter how many pictures I take and how close, far, etc.

EDIT: that's one of the custom skins.. makes it look more like media player 11..

 

[Peter Parker]

My youngest runs a small business whose main product is converting iPods to run on various flavors of Linux so that people can use different players, run games etc.

He is not doing too bad at it either. There is definitely a market for this. He even took down his website because he could not keep up with the demand. at this point it is all word of mouth.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

Slightly off-topic, but I am interested in learning more about tunebite (which was mentioned earlier in this thread). How well does it work? Is it worth the $26.

 

[Heavie]

Slightly off-topic, but I am interested in learning more about tunebite (which was mentioned earlier in this thread). How well does it work? Is it worth the $26.

Yes it works very good. PM and I'll help you save the $26 dollars.