iPods... can someone clear this up for me?

[Ilmater]

Here's what I want my iPod to do:

- Play my MP3s without doing anything to them (don't want to change formats to do this)
- Work as a file storage device if I wanted to move data from one computer to another
- Play TV shows I've downloaded so that I can watch them when I travel

Can I do these things with any iPod?

Edit: Oh, I just read that Rockbox kills battery life... is that true?

 

[Sqube]

- Yes
- Yes
- ... kinda. Depends on the formatting, IIRC. I'm not clear on the details though.

 

[So]

- Yes.
- Yes
- Not easy, but I believe it's possible, My iPod is pre video, so IDK for sure.

 

[Pastore]

- Yes
- Not without hacks
- Not without hacks (unless you bought them through iTunes)

 

[swtethan]

ipod video is the one you want

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

yes yes and yes. To watch any video though ou have to convert to an mpeg.

 

[swtethan]

yes
yes
yes (videora video to ipod converter)

 

[Yossarian]

Originally posted by: Pastore
- Yes
- Not without hacks
- Not without hacks (unless you bought them through iTunes)

you don't need any hacks to use it as a file storage device.

 

[Pastore]

Originally posted by: Yossarian

Originally posted by: Pastore
- Yes
- Not without hacks
- Not without hacks (unless you bought them through iTunes)

you don't need any hacks to use it as a file storage device.

Indeed, didn't realize it was an option in iTunes. Shows you how much use I've gotten out of my 4th gen.

 

[Ilmater]

Originally posted by: Pastore
- Yes
- Not without hacks
- Not without hacks (unless you bought them through iTunes)

Negative, didn't buy them through iTunes.

Can someone explain what hacks it takes to get MY videos to run? If I just need to make sure they use a certain codec, I'm OK with converting. However, if it requires changing firmware, I'm less-inclined to do so.

 

[Ilmater]

Originally posted by: swtethan
yes
yes
yes (videora video to ipod converter)

What's this?

Edit: I did use Google, but I'm not finding any good sites explaining how it works, how WELL it works, etc.

 

[torpid]

I believe all you have to do for the video thing is convert it to the proper format.

The other two are definite yes.

Rockbox and battery life... I get conflicting answers on this. It definitely drained my battery quickly with AAC files, but they didn't work anyway. Some people say they get decent battery life with rockbox, others say not. I wonder if it depends on your settings and whether you use tagcache, and which file format.

 

[swtethan]

Originally posted by: Ilmater

Originally posted by: swtethan
yes
yes
yes (videora video to ipod converter)

What's this?

Edit: I did use Google, but I'm not finding any good sites explaining how it works, how WELL it works, etc.

it works well

 

[nakedfrog]

You might be interested in Anapod Explorer

 

[Turin39789]

More expensive, but if you're watching video why not try an archos

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: Ilmater

Originally posted by: swtethan
yes
yes
yes (videora video to ipod converter)

What's this?

Edit: I did use Google, but I'm not finding any good sites explaining how it works, how WELL it works, etc.

From my use, it worked great. They also make a great Tivo converter.

 

[igowerf]

iPods play mp3s just fine. You can't directly drop them into your iPod using Windows Explorer though. You have to go through a program like iTunes or one of the 3rd party alternatives to add them and make them playable on your iPod. I believe the iPod does some sort of interal database work to keep track of them for you.

When you connect your iPod to your computer, it's recognized as a detachable drive. You can drop files onto it through Windows Explorer, but these files aren't usable on the iPod. You're just storing them.

Videos must be in the iPod mp4 format. Videora is a converter that will convert your divx/xvid files into the iPod format. Google Video lets you download files in iPod format also. Like mp3s, videos must be added through iTunes or similar software to be viewable on the iPod.

 

[Ilmater]

Originally posted by: Turin39789
More expensive, but if you're watching video why not try an archos

Yeah, but its video playback time isn't nearly as good. And that price... ouch. I'm willing to put up with a lot of headache to spend less money.

 

[DaveSimmons]

iPod and iTunes have native MP3 support, though to me AAC does have a slight qualty edge (160 kbps AAC sounds like 192 kbps LAME MP3).

Quicktime Pro can supposedly encode to ipod video, never tried it myself though and no idea what input formats it supprts.

(edit) you don't need to use iTunes to move files -- but do you need the iPod device driver?

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: Ilmater

Originally posted by: Turin39789
More expensive, but if you're watching video why not try an archos

Yeah, but its video playback time isn't nearly as good. And that price... ouch. I'm willing to put up with a lot of headache to spend less money.

Never had either myself. I've just always eyed the archos that is also a pvr for while. IIRC last time I was searching I found a cheaper alternative, can't remember it now though

 

[glugglug]

Yes
Yes
.....

Play TV shows I've downloaded so that I can watch them when I travel

Itunes can convert the shows to ipod format, but.....

1) it is really fvcking slow (5-10 minutes to convert a 5 minute video in itunes, 20 seconds to convert it in ImToo on the same system).
2) The new version of itunes won't let you put a video more than about 100MB into the library (which the TV shows will be until you convert them, downrezing them to 320x240 in the process).

So really even though Itunes has a conversion option, you really need a 3rd party tool to convert videos to ipod format.

Also, FYI, playing videos drains the battery fast. My battery lasts for about 10 hours of audio playback, or 1.5 hours of video.

 

[Ilmater]

Originally posted by: Turin39789

Originally posted by: Ilmater

Originally posted by: Turin39789
More expensive, but if you're watching video why not try an archos

Yeah, but its video playback time isn't nearly as good. And that price... ouch. I'm willing to put up with a lot of headache to spend less money.

Never had either myself. I've just always eyed the archos that is also a pvr for while. IIRC last time I was searching I found a cheaper alternative, can't remember it now though

Gigabeat?

 

[lightpants]

The only reason that I have an Ipod is because of Rockbox. You just drag and drop your music files on it, and away you go. Battery life might be a little shorter, but it is worth it. They haven't optimized it for battery life yet, but they will.

 

[rockyct]

Sell it and get a Creative Vision:M.

 

[Baked]

yes
yes
Need to get converted to iPod format 320x240 with ATI AVIVO or QT Pro.