a quick question about ipods

[blazerazor]

When you hook them up to a pc, will it be seen as a drive kind of like a usb thumb drive?

Like if I was at a friends house, I could just bust it out and plug up usb, and listen/upload some new tracks WITHOUT install any dumb software first like "iTunes".


//*I know I could Google this, but I lazy. And its Monday.*//

 

[shiranai]

AFAIK, the iPod is essentially divided into two sections: 1) music, 2) portable HD. Files in the 'music' section (the files that the iPod can play) can only be accessed via proprietary/3rd-party software (iTunes, Winamp iPod plugin, etc.), they cannot be accessed through normal windows explorer like an HD or jump drive. The portable HD section is exactly the opposite: files here cannot be played by the iPod, but they can be accessed like files on a HD.

This is how my 2nd generation iPod functions, and I think it's infernally stupid.

 

[imported_rod]

I'm pretty sure the guy above got it right.

Im looking at getting an iPod, and I dont like this setup. But even creative MP3 players are like this now, so unless you want an old MP3 player, you'll probably have to deal with a setup like this (ie, third party software for music).

RoD

 

[blazerazor]

Hummm, thats wierd. So it has like 'floating' partitions on the HD.
Cause id imagine I would be sending alot of files back and forth with it between different locations. Hell 20gigs is plenty of room for tote'n around big full progy's to install on friends drives. 🙂

 

[twitchee2]

windows sees the files in a random order with #'s as names so u can take them off that way but again it is very stupid. if your friend has itunes u can just plug ur ipod in and go from there and take what you want or add to your friends libary

 

[hopejr]

now it's not two sections. the mp3's are in hidden directories on the single partition. well at least mine is like that (one of the last of the old 20GB models - got it in feb).

 

[shiranai]

I have 'show hidden files' option checked in explorer (I can see folders like 'System Volume Information' and whatnot), and there are no hidden folders of MP3s on my iPod when accessed as an external HD from windows. The handling might vary between different models? Or else I may not have drivers installed or something :/.

Requiring special software to use a portable player is offensive.

BTW, the iRiver player has never required proprietary software (according to my friend, who's owned two different models), so if you're in the market for a portable, that's a good place to start looking.

 

[dwcal]

I can confirm shiranai, twitchee2 and hopejr. The playable mp3s get renamed to numbers for the filename. Another good free app is Ephpod. It lets you copy songs off.

Some new players can work as a USB drive with no special software like the Creative Muvo TX, most Irivers, and pretty much all the cheap no-name flash players (one I have is Omisys).

EDIT: for typo

 

[hopejr]

Originally posted by: shiranai
I have 'show hidden files' option checked in explorer (I can see folders like 'System Volume Information' and whatnot), and there are no hidden folders of MP3s on my iPod when accessed as an external HD from windows. The handling might vary between different models? Or else I may not have drivers installed or something :/.

I think the difference maybe that I'm using mine with a mac, and a different filesystem to what you would be using on your PC.

 

[Tiamat]

my iriver acts exactly like a usb thumb drive. Its an older 1.5GB hdd mp3 player.