What to do with a 5th gen iPod classic?

makken

Golden Member
Aug 28, 2004
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I was digging through my old stuff when I found an 5th gen iPod classic 30gb lying around.

Its in pretty beat up shape - scratches everywhere, a couple dents, and something seems to have seeped into the display causing a murky layer between the glass and the LCD. However, the important bits seem to be working.

I haven't had a use for dedicated mp3 players since I got a smartphone, so was wondering, what else can I use it for? I was originally planning to just have it as a backup USB hard drive, but it seems like a bit of a waste.

Any suggestions?
 

ultimatebob

Lifer
Jul 1, 2001
25,134
2,450
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I'd use it as a portable USB storage drive. Sure, 30 GB isn't much anymore, but it's better than spending $40 for a new flash drive.
 

sivart

Golden Member
Oct 20, 2000
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I was digging through my old stuff when I found an 5th gen iPod classic 30gb lying around.

Its in pretty beat up shape - scratches everywhere, a couple dents, and something seems to have seeped into the display causing a murky layer between the glass and the LCD. However, the important bits seem to be working.

I haven't had a use for dedicated mp3 players since I got a smartphone, so was wondering, what else can I use it for? I was originally planning to just have it as a backup USB hard drive, but it seems like a bit of a waste.

Any suggestions?

5th Gen = Classic...what does that make my 2nd Gen 4GB? :eek:
 

Patranus

Diamond Member
Apr 15, 2007
9,280
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5th Gen = Classic...what does that make my 2nd Gen 4GB? :eek:

I have a 1st gen sitting in a drawer somewhere.

Anyways, just leave it in your car or whatever or donate it to a local Boys & Girls Club.
 

f4phantom2500

Platinum Member
Dec 3, 2006
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Binky

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,046
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Ebay it. There are lots of vehicles that can only interface with the older devices. Scratches dont matter when it never leaves the glove box.
 

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,081
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So true. That's the one I have and will never part with it.its always with me along with a 3.5mm Jack. Never know when you needs gobs of tunes. My iPhone 3gs just doesn't have the storage capabilities nor does my vibrant. 160gbs of goodness.

Since its so cheap I seriously doubt thats 160GB of solid state drive, amiright?
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,138
627
126
All the "classic" ipods have normal harddrives in them.

And yes, car use is probably the best idea. I have a 30gig and a 60gig, one for me and one for my wife.
 

Ika

Lifer
Mar 22, 2006
14,264
3
81
No during the 5th generation they released one model that was called the Classic.

Also:
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-classic-...6955064&sr=8-2

No, the "Classic" moniker was only introduced after the 6th generation. The 5th generation was the "iPod Video".

The 5th generation iPod is also the one where they refreshed it in the middle of the generation, called the "5.5G". I forgot what the refresh added, though. I thought it was video but I guess the 5G had that from the start.
 

ultimatebob

Lifer
Jul 1, 2001
25,134
2,450
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Funny... I thought that the "5th Generation" iPod was the iPod Photo/iPod Color.

The 4th generation one still had a monochrome screen, but had the new click wheel. The color ones didn't come out until six months later.
 

f4phantom2500

Platinum Member
Dec 3, 2006
2,284
1
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No, the "Classic" moniker was only introduced after the 6th generation. The 5th generation was the "iPod Video".

The 5th generation iPod is also the one where they refreshed it in the middle of the generation, called the "5.5G". I forgot what the refresh added, though. I thought it was video but I guess the 5G had that from the start.

5g was 30/60gb, 5.5g was 80gb, i think in the same thickness as the 60gb. i think that's the only significant change.


also, ipod video (yes, classic was/is 6th gen, technically, although most people apply it to any ipod in the standard/traditional/"classic" form factor) can be rockboxed!

http://www.rockbox.org/


Funny... I thought that the "5th Generation" iPod was the iPod Photo/iPod Color.

The 4th generation one still had a monochrome screen, but had the new click wheel. The color ones didn't come out until six months later.


you're right in that, originally, the 4th gen ipods had a monochrome screen, but the ipod photo was a revision of the 4th gen. 5/5.5 gen is most definitely ipod video.


OP, not sure what smart phone you have, but to my knowledge there isn't a smart phone that will sound better than a rockboxed 5th gen ipod, especially when using line out (sound from the dock port).
 
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DivideBYZero

Lifer
May 18, 2001
24,117
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I use two fourth Gen 60Gb iPods as car devices. I don't need to see it, it lives in the trunk connected to the integration unit.
 

alfa147x

Lifer
Jul 14, 2005
29,307
106
106
5th gen ipod video is one of the best sounding ipods there is. if your car has an aux input i'd suggest you get a LOD cable (line out dock), which lets you connect from the dock port to a 3.5mm jack, and use it as such. that's what i do.

http://cgi.ebay.com/FiiO-L1-LOD-Lin...Accessories&hash=item19c2a938e1#ht_500wt_1158

and

http://cgi.ebay.com/3ft-3-5mm-1-8-M...ultDomain_0&hash=item27b8411ddc#ht_1414wt_908

would be fantastic.

This is what I do and love it. I was surprised as to how big of a difference it makes. Here is the one I got: Link

I also got a USB charger for my car. This way I can keep my ipod charging all the time :D
 

f4phantom2500

Platinum Member
Dec 3, 2006
2,284
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The iPod Video 5.5g is the last iPod that works with Rockbox. It won't work on a 6g "iPod Classic".

you misunderstood me.

also, ipod video can be rockboxed! (as an aside, yes, classic was/is 6th gen, technically, although most people apply it to any ipod in the standard/traditional/"classic" form factor)
http://www.rockbox.org/

This is what I do and love it. I was surprised as to how big of a difference it makes. Here is the one I got: Link

I also got a USB charger for my car. This way I can keep my ipod charging all the time :D

my head unit has a usb port, and i can use the stock ipod cable to sync my ipod with it, which allows me to play while charging. this is a great option, however, the usb port doesn't work with the ipod when it's running rockbox, thus why i use the aux port.
 
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makken

Golden Member
Aug 28, 2004
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Thanks for the suggestions;

I don't have ipod integration on my car, so it will only be connected via the aux 3.5mm input. Honestly, I'll rather have my phone connected via that (using a G2) because

1) Its easier to control music while driving by gestures on the touchscreen than via the clickwheel
2) My head unit doesn't have bluetooth connectivity, so if a call comes in, the music automatically pauses, and I can use it as a makeshift handsfree set
3) works really well with voice nav when I use it

Unless I'm missing something, the only advantage the iPod would have in this instance is superior audio quality.

The rockbox route looks interesting, and I'll probably do it just to satisfy the tinker in me, thing is, I still don't really have a use for a dedicated media player regardless of firmware.
 

f4phantom2500

Platinum Member
Dec 3, 2006
2,284
1
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Thanks for the suggestions;

I don't have ipod integration on my car, so it will only be connected via the aux 3.5mm input. Honestly, I'll rather have my phone connected via that (using a G2) because

1) Its easier to control music while driving by gestures on the touchscreen than via the clickwheel
2) My head unit doesn't have bluetooth connectivity, so if a call comes in, the music automatically pauses, and I can use it as a makeshift handsfree set
3) works really well with voice nav when I use it

Unless I'm missing something, the only advantage the iPod would have in this instance is superior audio quality.

The rockbox route looks interesting, and I'll probably do it just to satisfy the tinker in me, thing is, I still don't really have a use for a dedicated media player regardless of firmware.


yeah unless you're a sound junkie and/or have a good sound system in your car then it's probably more hassle than it's worth.